Former Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland died yesterday, and with his death I've come to two unfortunate conclusions: 1.) Addiction is a bitch, and 2.) The '90s are officially dead.
Officially, Weiland "died in his sleep." Unofficially, the 48-year-old legend had a long-standing substance abuse problem, and it's highly likely that his addiction led to his death.
For those of us who came of age in the 90s, Stone Temple Pilots formed much of the soundtrack of our youth. They were the days of "heroin chic," flannel, and grunge –– and while most of us outgrew our forays into that world, many of our beloved rock stars did not.
Weiland's death reminds me that our cycles and addictions will destroy us unless we commit ourselves to change each and every moment of our lives. Rest in Peace, Scott. You helped a generation grow up.