Photo of Creed’s Scott Stapp by Holly Kite
The summer of 1999 sparked a frenzy of iconic moments in pop culture. Spongebob Squarepants debuted on Nickelodeon, The Blair Witch dominated box offices, Napster launched and changed the music industry forever, and Creed released their first single “Higher” from their sophomore album, Human Clay. The single dominated, spending a record-breaking 17 weeks on top of the chart, solidifying their place in rock music until their eventual break up in 2004.
Fast forward 25 years and we are in the midst of Creed’s second awakening. Admittedly, we’ve all talked shit on Creed, and I’m going to continue to in this post, but let’s give them their flowers first. They’ve mended old wounds from battles with ego and addiction, putting songs back on the Billboard charts and selling out damn near every night of The Summer of ‘99 Tour. Scott Stapp’s vocals are phenomenal. Guitarist Mark Tremonti’s riffs are iconic. Together their songwriting talents have graced us with some of our favorite songs we love to hate (or at least we say we do). Brian Marshall’s basslines play off of Stapp’s vocals creating a satisfying harmony. On drums, Scott Phillips rounds their sound out with unique grooves and crashing cymbals.
The four-piece band put on an impressive hour and a half set at their stop in Saint Louis. Playing 15 of their greatest hits to one of the most diverse crowds I’ve ever seen at the amphitheater. It made for great people watching while I waited for them to get to the hits. Finally, the guitar solo we all know so well as the intro to “With Arms Wide Open” began to play, quickly followed up with “Higher.” I have to admit hearing 20,000 people sing Creed in unison on a perfect Missouri summer night is close to a religious experience.
They took a quick break before their encore so I made the decision to start the walk back to my car. That’s when “One Last Breath” started playing and the crowd around me started singing the chorus. I thought to myself, maybe this is the connection Stapp was preaching about. My bubble quickly burst as I realized a guy was pissing himself right in front of me. | Holly Kite
Creed was supported by late ’90s – early ’20s rock legends, 3 Doors Down and Finger Eleven.
