Wide Open: Ex-Creed Frontman Talks Bipolar Meltdown
Former Creed lead singer Scott Stapp on his battle with bipolar disorder and addiction and the shifts in how artists make money in the music industry.
Creed has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide driven by hits such as ‘My Sacrifice’ and ‘Arms Wide Open.’ But despite Creed’s success, for the band’s former frontman, Scott Stapp, life hasn’t always been good. Stapp discusses his personal struggles, recovery and the music business’ transformation.
“I had a little trepidation, things were kind of new to me in a sense and just feeling the energy and the love from the audience was just overwhelming.”
Stapp explained what was behind a video he released in which he had claimed he was homeless.
“I was basically in the middle of a bipolar meltdown. I had battled depression for a number of years and finally, basically I had a bipolar episode and I really was believing things that weren’t real and living in kind of a different reality during that manic episode,” Stapp continued, “But all of that led to a bipolar diagnosis and proper treatment and a new lease on life.”
Stapp also delved into how the fame and drug use worsened what he was going through.
“I think all of that played into it. Definitely alcohol, drugs don’t combine well with someone who’s suffering from depression or has bipolar disorder. It can exacerbate the situation and that’s exactly what happened to me,” said Stapp.
Stapp then reflected on the challenging recovery process he went through.
“A lot of prayer, a lot of faith in God. I think that holds my wife and I together, that’s a common core that we have. It was really a lot of work. I went into a dual diagnosis center and got treatment and really began my journey to learn about the illness, deal with my demons, win my family back and let my wife know I was serious about my recovery,” Stapp said.
With the changing music business model, Stapp weighed in on whether the digital revolution is changing how he makes music.
“It doesn’t change the way I make music, it just changes the way you make income off music. The touring side of the business is much more important I think than it’s ever been. You really don’t make the living that you used to make off selling records and off your publishing catalog,” said Stapp.
Stapp says it is a challenge for the industry and artists as well to keep up with the changing technology and the shifts in how consumers want to get music
“The record business is evolving and trying to figure out the best way to get the art to the consumer and get it to the people. And I think that me as an artist is still trying to figure that out as well. How do my fans best want my material,” Stapp said.