Scott Weiland, the late Stone Temple Pilots frontman’s musical hero was David Bowie. Shortly before they both passed away in December 2015 and January 2016 respectively, Bowie offered a helping hand to Weiland to assist him with his demons. Bowie reached out through former MTV 120 Minutes host Matt Pinfield. Pinfield has recounted the story in his book All These Things That I’ve Done: My Insane, Improbable Rock Life.
“The last time I saw David, at the end of our conversation he pulled me aside and said, ‘I know you’re friends with Scott Weiland. Please let him know that I’m here to talk if he needs someone.’ I think he spotted in Scott a kindred soul. Not only musically – you can hear the Bowie influence so powerfully on STP songs like ‘And So I Know’ on their third album, and ‘Kitchenware & Candybars’ on Purple – but in terms of the demons he was fighting. So backstage at one of his solo shows I passed along that offer to Scott, and he said, ‘I’d love to talk to him.’ That was my final encounter with Scott. By the start of 2016, both he and Bowie were gone.”
Weiland died from a drug overdose in December 2015, while Bowie passed away from cancer only a month later in January 2016. Weiland covered several Bowie songs throughout his career including “Jean Genie,” “Ashes to Ashes,” “Andy Warhol,” and “Fame.” Weiland revealed his favourite Bowie albums in a 2015 interview with Alternative Nation, “Most of my favourite David Bowie songs were from Low, Lodger, and Heroes.”
Pinfield decided to offer his thoughts on what would be a good song for Weiland to cover, “When I suggested he cover “Panic In Detroit” he seemed game, but thought my idea of a David Bowie covers album was a bit much. “Yeah, that would be cool, but it seems a little too obvious, though.””
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