UPDATE: A rep for the band told Entertainment Weekly that no final decision has been made.
“The band has been rehearsing with several singers over the past few weeks,” the rep for Stone Temple Pilots told EW in a statement. “They haven’t made a decision yet.”
Jeff Gutt— who now goes by his full name, Jeffrey Adam Gutt –has been tapped to become the new lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots according to Entertainment Tonight.
A source told ET that the X Factor USA season 3 finalist and STP have officially begun rehearsals in Hollywood this week, and are expected to tour next year. Classic band hits and new songs will make up the set list.
Jeff was mentored by Kelly Rowland during his X Factor USA run in 2013, though he continuously impressed judges Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato and Paulina Rubio with his covers of songs like “Creep,” “Dream On,” and “Hallelujah.” The latter, he also performed one year earlier in a season two audition. He was cut during the bootcamp round of that competition, but returned the following year.
We recently posted Jeff’s cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” after news of the singer/poet’s death broke last week.
The news comes nearly one year after the death of former Stone Temple Pilots frontman, Scott Weiland.
“Scott Weiland, best known as the lead singer for Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, passed away in his sleep while on a tour stop in Bloomington, Minnesota, with his band The Wildabouts,” read an announcement on the rocker’s Instagram page. “At this time we ask that the privacy of Scott’s family be respected.”
Later, a toxicology report revealed Weiland died of mixed drug toxicity with cocaine, ethanol and MDA in his system. His death was officially ruled an accident.
That’s a good gig for Jeff, considering how popular Stone Temple Pilots were back in the 90s. Fans are probably ready for a nostalgia tour, although whether they embrace Jeff as a stand in for Weiland remains to be seen.
