Scott Weiland cancels European tour

Hard rocker Scott Weiland, known for his wide vocal range and often chaotic life, on Wednesday canceled nearly all of an upcoming tour of Europe.

The former Stone Temple Pilots frontman said he was scrapping concerts planned across the continent in September and October with the exception of the first scheduled show in London on September 3.

The Californian singer, playing with a new band he calls Scott Weiland and The Wildabouts, apologized to fans in a statement and said the decision "was not made lightly."

"But as it stood, the tour dates had far too many administration and production issues to overcome, and ultimately the fan experience would have been far below what Scott feels his loyal fans deserve," the statement said.

Scott Weiland and The Wildabouts put out an album, "Blaster," on March 31. Just one day before, the band's guitarist Jeremy Brown died at 34 of an accident after excessive drug use.

The band went ahead with North American dates with Australian guitarist Nick Maybury, known for his work with Alice Cooper and members of Jane's Addiction.

Weiland, 47, has won Grammys both with Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, a supergroup that included guitarist Slash of Guns N' Roses, but has struggled with drug addiction and bipolar disorder.

He served five months in jail in 1999 for violating terms of probation over a conviction for heroin possession.
Source: AFP