The Rise and Fall of Creed

Years ago, I got into a debate with a co-worker over the band Creed.  This conversation/argument took place when Creed was arguably the most popular, and no doubt the best-selling band in rock.  Their first two albums, My Own Prison and Human Clay were huge multi-platinum successes, containing several hit singles.  This debate (the other individual shall remain nameless… ahh, screw it… his name was Scott) took place around the time Creed was preparing to release its third smash album in a row, Weathered, in September 2001.  It seemed like a great time to be Creed, or a Creed fan as Scott was.  I, on the other hand, was a doubter.

I had no major issues with Creed after their debut album became a big success.  It was around the time of Human Clay when I really started to question the band’s authenticity.  Remember Scott Stapp levitating above the crowd in the video for “Higher”?  Let me provide a 2-word review: very lame.  Then in the year 2000, Creed bassist Brian Marshall publicly criticized Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam after hearing endless accusations that Creed and Stapp were just a lesser, copycat version of the Seattle band.  Marshall was out of the band shortly thereafter -- the cracks were starting.

In the 2001 video for “My Sacrifice”, Stapp was now pulling himself out of a flood and onto a canoe!  Yes, two Scott Stapps!  One pulling the other out of water!  In slow motion, nonetheless.  What the hell?!  By 2002, Stapp was having issues with alcohol and pain medication.  My co-worker, Scott had thought that the millions of albums sold meant something, gave the band validity, proved their greatness.  After a year of inactivity, Creed broke up in 2004.  In hindsight, the band seemed to be a holier-than-thou house of cards, crumbling on top of its lack of foundation and true substance.

I don’t believe in kicking a man while he’s down, but if you’re going to levitate in your videos and create music with not-so-subtle religious overtones, have some realness, would ya?  It’s coming out now that Scott Stapp is broke and living in a hotel.  His wife of eight years is filing for divorce.  Meanwhile, Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam are still at it after 24 years, and sure to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.  To my former co-worker, Scott… I told you so.