Scott Stapp

Anthony Scott Flippen (born August 8, 1973), also known as Scott Stapp, is an American singer, songwriter, and musician, known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of rock bands Creed and Art of Anarchy. He also has two solo albums: The Great Divide (2005) and Proof of Life (2013).

Stapp has received several accolades, including a Grammy Award for Creed's song "With Arms Wide Open" and numerous RIAA certifications. In 2006, Hit Parader ranked Stapp as the 68th greatest heavy metal vocalist of all time.

Creed: 1993–2004; 2009–2012
Stapp is a founding member and lead vocalist of the American hard rock band Creed. After developing a friendship with an acquaintance, his future bandmate Mark Tremonti at Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando, Stapp reunited with Tremonti while both attended Florida State University, and they quickly developed a friendship based on their mutual passion for music. Stapp formed Creed with Tremonti in 1993 with fellow members Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips joining as bassist and drummer, respectively. Rhythm guitarist Brian Brasher was also briefly a member from 1993 until 1995. While often criticized and parodied, Creed is recognized by many as one of the major acts of the post-grunge movement of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The band released its debut album My Own Prison in 1997 to mainstream success, selling over six million copies. Four singles were released from the album: "My Own Prison", "Torn", "What's This Life For", and "One". Each of these songs reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, becoming the first band to do so with a debut album. The album was then followed in 1999 by Human Clay, which was an immediate success and certified diamond and eleven times platinum by the RIAA. Existing tension between Stapp and Marshall began to increase during this time, leading Marshall to ultimately leave the band to pursue other interests. He was temporarily replaced by touring bassist Brett Hestla, with Tremonti handling the bass parts in the studio. After a tour, the band released another multi-platinum selling album, Weathered, in 2001. The tour to support this record was overwhelmingly successful but ended with a considerably controversial concert in Chicago (in which Stapp mumbled along to 5 songs, took a nap backstage, then continued singing, without the rest of the band, before ultimately passing out onstage) that ultimately led to the band's breakup. The band announced that they had disbanded in 2004, citing tension between Stapp and the other members. Creed released its Greatest Hits in November 2004.

After months of speculation, despite early claims from Tremonti that Creed would never return, it was announced that Creed had reunited with plans for a tour and a new album. The record, Full Circle, was released in October 2009. Creed supported the album by touring throughout North and South America, Canada, Europe, and Australia during the summers of 2009 and 2010. A fifth Creed album was expected in late 2011 or early 2012 according to Tremonti, but never did materialize.

In March 2012, Stapp reconvened with his Creed bandmates to rehearse for their "2 Nights" tour, during which the band performed its first two albums, My Own Prison and Human Clay, back to back in their entirety. It was announced that Stapp and Mark Tremonti would enter the studio to start recording new songs in June, but no progress was made.

In October 2013, Stapp noted in an interview that extensive work was done on the new album throughout 2011 and 2012. However, the project was suddenly abandoned, and Stapp stated he was unaware as to why. Stapp also hinted that the relationship between himself and Tremonti had once again broken down, leaving the future of the band uncertain. In December 2013, Stapp elaborated on this, saying Tremonti is dictating to him what he wants the band's creative direction to be, and that Stapp does not want to work with him "under those circumstances". In January 2014, Stapp once again confirmed in an interview the personal and creative differences between him and Tremonti, stating that future material by the band looks unlikely to happen at the moment, and that he is concentrating on his solo career. Despite these differences, Stapp has maintained that the band is still together, if inactive, saying that "There's no real time table, we're still a band." He's also said that he's always open to continuing to work on a new album when the time is right and if everyone can agree to continue. However, in October 2014, Mark Tremonti said flatly that the band has "no plans at the moment" to reform for another album or tour.

Solo career and contributions: 2004–present
After Creed announced its breakup in 2004, Stapp recorded the song "Relearn Love" with 7 Aurelius and The Tea Party for The Passion of the Christ: Songs, a collection of tracks inspired by the 2004 Mel Gibson film The Passion of the Christ. He then began working on his debut solo album. Titled The Great Divide, the record was released in the U.S. on November 22, 2005, peaking at No. 19 on the Billboard 200. "The Great Divide", "Justify", and "Surround Me" were released as singles. It was certified platinum on December 14, 2005. The Great Divide has since reached double platinum. His backing band for the record and live shows consisted of Aristides Rincon and John Curry on guitars, Mitch Burman on bass, and Mark Archer on drums. They are all members of the band Goneblind.

Stapp was ranked as the 68th greatest heavy metal vocalist of all time by Hit Parader in 2006.

On August 18, 2010, Stapp wrote: "I'm stripping down all the Creed hits, as well as my solo material, in a manner fans have never heard before but have long been screaming for." Creed's touring rhythm guitarist Eric Friedman joined Stapp on the acoustic tour. The short solo acoustic tour began September 28, 2010, and concluded November 20, 2010.

In the spring of 2010, Stapp recorded an anthem for the National League baseball team the Florida Marlins titled "Marlins Will Soar," a rewrite of Stapp's song "You Will Soar," using different lyrics and a slightly different melody in the verses. "Marlins Will Soar" was met with extremely negative reviews according to The Huffington Post. In April 2010, Stapp released (free to fans via scottstapp.com) a new remix of "Broken," featuring rapper Ma$e, and 2 B-side tracks, "Somber" and "Criminal".

Stapp appeared on Carlos Santana's solo album Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time, a cover album on which Stapp sings on the cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival song "Fortunate Son". The album was released on September 21, 2010.

Stapp confirmed in 2010 that his tentative second album, named Between Lust and Love, would be a double album, with each disc devoted to the topics of lust and love. Stapp said at the time, "It's been the dichotomy of my life over the last three-and-a-half, four years. [It has] characters that describe [my] life and times … It's two sides of the coin." The album was produced by Stapp with veteran producer Desmond Child. Eleven tracks from the album were recorded in late 2010, and Stapp thought to record ten more songs in next year. In 2011, album title was changed to Somewhere in the Middle of Lust and Love, however due to the Creed reunion and tour in 2012, Stapp postponed the record to 2013, but finally was shelved indefinitely. A song from this unreleased album, "A Prayer For Sunrise", was released in 2012 to promote his autobiography titled Sinner's Creed.

In September 18, 2013, Stapp said his second album will be Proof of Life. It was produced by Howard Benson and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge. On October 8, 2013 the song "Slow Suicide" went to radio. His backing band for Proof of Life Tour consists of Andy Wood and Travis Comer on guitars, former Daughtry touring bassist Andy Waldeck, and Breaking Benjamin and Black Label Society drummer Chad Szeliga.

Art of Anarchy: 2016–present
On May 3, 2016, Scott Stapp announced that he will replace Scott Weiland (who died on December 3, 2015) as the lead singer of Art of Anarchy. His first single with the band "The Madness" was released in August 2016. The band released their second album and first with Stapp, also called The Madness on March 24, 2017. Scott Stapp and AOA will begin touring for The Madness April 2017.

Since being released the album has received high praise, Chad Childers from loudwire stated "The musicianship is strong, the writing connects and they have a disc that could go deep in terms of radio singles. The Madness is just the beginning of what looks like a bright future". The album also received a 10/10 rating from Amps and Green Screens.

Xrock.com called Scott Stapp a "perfect fit" for Art of Anarchy. The site also said "This album has a really fresh sound that doesn’t sound like any of the band members’ other projects. Art of Anarchy has a great pedigree with Bumblefoot (Guns N’ Roses), John Moyer (Disturbed) and Scott Stapp (Creed). Fans who like the heavier side of Creed will enjoy this album a lot as it really has a great hard rockin’ vibe to it. The band seems to really have a great groove together and these are some of the most interesting and creative songs that I’ve heard from this genre in a long time". "Bumblefoot absolutely shreds on song after song." "The bass is super heavy and thick, which makes sense with Moyer on bass. The band is rounded out by brothers Jon and Vince Votta. I can honestly say that I like every song on this album.

Philanthropy
In 2000, Stapp founded the With Arms Wide Open Foundation, a nonprofit organization "dedicated to helping underprivileged children and families around the world." The foundation has donated over $1 million to various causes.

In early 2012, to provide musical therapy and promote fundraising for victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Stapp and his wife, in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, IsraAid, the U.S. Armed Forces, and the United Service Organizations, traveled to Japan and visited with victims of the tsunami in affected towns including Sendai and Ishinomaki along Japan's northeast coastline. Stapp also performed an acoustic show on board the USS George Washington at the Yokosuka Naval Base for U.S. troops stationed in Japan to thank and express his appreciation for them.

Personal life
Stapp was born in Orlando, Florida. He was raised by his mother, Lynda, and his stepfather, Steven Stapp, a dentist. He wrote a memoir, Sinner's Creed, which was released on October 2, 2012 by Tyndale House. He has Cherokee Native American, English and Irish ancestry. He has a baritone voice.

Family
In 1997, Stapp married Hillaree Burns. They were married for 16 months and divorced in 1998. Stapp has a son, Jagger, with Burns. After the couple's divorce, Stapp retained full custody of Jagger.

On February 11, 2006, Stapp married Miss New York USA 2004 winner and model Jaclyn Nesheiwat. Their daughter, Milán Hayat Stapp, was born on January 4, 2007. The couple welcomed a son, Daniel Issam, on July 4, 2010. Stapp is a Christian.

In November 2014, Stapp's wife Jaclyn, filed for divorce. Later that month, Stapp posted a video to Facebook in which he revealed that he is homeless and facing poverty. In May 2015, People Magazine revealed that Scott and Jaclyn are now back together and that Scott has bipolar disorder where Scott stated that "It became a big sign of relief, because finally, we had an answer".

Legal troubles
In July 2002, he was detained by Florida police and charged with reckless driving after he drove his SUV off the road before swerving back into the proper lane. He was released from custody after posting $500 bail.

He was also arrested February 12, 2006, one day after his second marriage, for suspected intoxication.

On May 20, 2007, he was charged with one count of felony assault stemming from a domestic violence incident. Stapp was later set free on supervised release. Stapp apologized to his wife and the public on May 23, 2007, and the charge was later dropped.

A sex tape of Stapp and Kid Rock receiving oral sex from a group of women on a tour bus in 1999 became public in 2006. In an interview about the 45-minute video, Stapp said he did not believe oral sex was actual sex. Consequently, Stapp says that he and Kid Rock have not spoken since the tape became public.

Suicide attempts
In 2003, he contemplated suicide after drinking a bottle of Jack Daniel's whiskey. He retrieved two MP5s from his collection, put the guns to his head, but did not pull the triggers after looking at a picture of his son, Jagger. He later stated he had been convinced that anyone involved with Creed wanted him dead so he would become a "Kurt Cobain martyr-type" and increase record sales. Says Scott, "I had crazy thoughts going through my head." He later said that instead of killing himself, he fired a few rounds in his home. He said, "I was in the throes of prednisone coming out of my body [...] I shot a few rounds off and instantly was like, 'What the hell am I doing?' So I put the guns away and ran out to the garage and got the putty and patched the holes."

Stapp explained in 2012 that he had attempted suicide in Miami and that the rapper T.I. had saved him. He did not give a time frame.

Solo discography

 * Further information: Creed discography and Art of Anarchy discography