Scott Stapp

A charismatic, full-throttle rock singer-songwriter, Scott Stapp achieved fame as the frontman and co-songwriter of Creed. The band, which fused spiritual imagery with soaring arena rock, became one of the most successful of the new millennium with such multi-platinum-selling albums as 1997's My Own Prison, 1999's Human Clay and 2001's Weathered. Their many hits included the No. 1 singles "Higher" and the Grammy-winning "With Arms Wide Open" as well as the Top Five hit "My Sacrifice." Despite their success, the band eventually broke up in 2004. Stapp released his solo debut album in 2005, The Great Divide, and went on to reunite Creed, showcasing a thoughtful take on his career in his 2012 autobiography Sinner's Creed. Although, like many rock stars, his talent, charisma and ego were all larger than life, Scott Stapp wrote and sang immensely moving and memorable anthems that spoke to millions of fans.

Born Aug. 8, 1973 in Orlando, FL, Anthony Scott Flippen renamed himself after his mother remarried and they took his stepfather's last name, becoming Scott Alan Stapp. Although his stepfather adopted him, Stapp frequently clashed with him over the former's strict Pentecostal beliefs, which came to shape the family's home life. Suffocating in the religious atmosphere, Stapp attempted to move in with friends during high school but found his true escape in teenage rebellion. Although his drug use caused him considerable problems in terms of remaining in college, Stapp managed to stabilize enough to form a band with some of his fellow Florida State University buddies. Originally known as Naked Toddler, the band streamlined into Creed, which drew heavily from the deeply religious upbringing Stapp underwent, as well as his questions, concerns and criticisms related to his faith. Playing any gig they could find, the band was buoyed by Stapp's powerful, soaring voice, anthem-rock ready songs and, most particularly, by his larger-than-life charisma, which, at times, could easily cross the line into arrogance.

Recorded for only $6,000, their debut came with 1997's indie release My Own Prison, which they promoted tirelessly, eventually landing a major label deal as the album exploded. Spawning the hit rock singles "My Own Prison," "One," "Torn" and "What's This Life For," the album eventually went six times platinum and became an iconic set for a certain generation and moment in music. As successful as their debut was, Creed achieved superstardom with their follow-up, 1999's Human Clay, which hit No. 1, sold more than 11 million copies in the United States alone, and was listed as one of the decade's most essential albums by multiple critics. Powered by the driving, inspirational "Higher," the album also launched the hits "What If," "Are You Ready?" and "With Arms Wide Open," which topped both Billboard's Hot 100 and Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks charts. The latter song won the Best Rock Song Grammy and, with its inspiration stemming from the birth of Stapp's son, won over critics and fans alike as a life-affirming anthem.

As the band ramped up to an even higher level of success, however, backstage tensions reached a breaking point when founding band member and bassist Brian Marshall, who had frequently clashed with Stapp, unfavorably compared Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder to Stapp in an interview, which led to his firing or voluntary dismissal, depending on the source. Although the subsequent album, 2001's Weathered, hit No. 1 and went six times platinum, it only launched one unquestionable smash single, "My Sacrifice," which went to No. 4 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Although it also spun off the minor hits "Bullets," One Last Breath," "Don't Stop Dancing" and "Weathered," the album also suffered due to Stapp's growing reputation for over-the-top self-aggrandizement and a strange martyrdom complex that caused him to increasingly adopt Christlike mannerisms and poses. Stapp's overly earnest delivery proved ripe for parody, and he apparently botched a concert performance so completely that four fans sued the band. Although it was ultimately dismissed, the band issued an apology and earned a major black eye in the view of the public. In 2004, the band members announced they had broken up due to clashes with Stapp.

Either causing or exacerbating the issues, Stapp was facing real-life personal demons of his own, and he attempted suicide in 2003, later citing the antagonism he faced from his ex-bandmates and his critics. His drug and alcohol use was also spiraling out of control, and, over the string of several years, he faced charges of reckless driving, intoxication and domestic abuse, as well as the notoriety that followed the unauthorized release of a sex tape. Although he attempted suicide again, Stapp was able, with the help of his family and friends, to put his life back on track, and began work on a solo career. His solo debut, 2005's The Great Divide, went double platinum, and, with his new attitude, Stapp managed to reunite with his former bandmates, including the long-gone Marshall, and the revitalized, rebuilt Creed recorded 2009's Full Circle, which debuted at No. 2, went gold and spun off the singles "Overcome," "Rain" and "A Thousand Faces." Seeming to be healthier and happier on the whole, Stapp wrote an autobiography, 2012's Sinner's Creed, and even though many still enjoyed using the band as a punchline and there were always the inevitable "poor man's Pearl Jam," their success could not be denied; even with the enormous sales of each of their individuals albums, their 2008 greatest hits package still managed to go double platinum.

By Jonathan Riggs