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Creed is a success story built on hard work, and critically acclaimed live performances. Their debut album sold no less than six million copies, their follow up sold over ten million and hit the billboard #1 on release, as did their third album which then had a record breaking stay at the #1 album spot. Together they won four American Music Awards, and no less than ten Billboard Music Awards, and all this with only three album releases. Sadly, the band decided to split in 2004, however, with both lead man Scott Stapp, and guitarist/co-writer Mark Tremonti leading successful solo projects, the talented cell has merely doubled it's musical potential.

Biography

1995 - "Creed" are formed in Tallahassee, Florida, by founder members and high school friends, Scott Stapp, (vocals), and Mark Tremonti, (Guitar). Stapp's father was a minister, who was not amused when Scott dropped studying for a law degree to pursue a rock music career. Originally coined "Naked Toddler" from a picture Tremonti had in his wallet, the songwriting duo picked up messrs Brian Marshall, (Bass), and Scott Phillips, (Drums), and changed their name to "Creed".
From the onset Stapp and Tremonti's song writing took a very spiritual prose, and the band would later be tagged with the new Christian movement into the Rock genre, although they had no connection with such.

1997 - The band form their own record label named, "Blue Collar" records. They begin recording their debut album "My Own Prison", with the help of their long term producer John Kurzweg. The album was released, initially, with only 6,000 copies printed on Blue Collar, but after signing a contract with Sony, was re-mixed and re-printed for major release on the newly formed "Wind-Up" records. The band's radio exposure spawned four hit singles from their debut album, "My Own Prison," "Torn," "What's This Life For," and "One".

1999 - With "My Own Prison" still in the top 200 albums, the band release their second album titled, "Human Clay". The album surprised rock critics as it hit the billboard #1 in it's first week. The first single release, "Higher" went on to spend no less than seventeen weeks at #1 on ‘Rock radio'. Later singles "What If" and "With Arms Wide Open", also went on to top the radio charts.

2000 - Brian Marshall, (Bass), made the media headlines when he criticised "Pearl Jam" over their recent album releases in a radio interview. He later apologised, but with surprise found he was now dropped from the "Creed" line-up and US tour. He was replaced by Brett Hestla. Scott Stapp also had reported altercations with Fred Durst, ("Limp Bizkit", now record producer). Both parties apparently denied any malice, yet later, "Puddle of Mudd", signed to the Durst label, Flawless records, would mysteriously find themselves dropped from a support tour with Creed, despite official placement and ticket promotion.

December. Creed take four awards at the VH1 my-music ceremony in LA. Voted by music fans, the band received, "Best song of the year", ("Higher"), "Best group of the year", and "Best rock album", ("Human Clay").

2001 - February. Stapp and Tremonti receive a Grammy for "Best Rock song", ("With arms wide open"), at the 43rd ceremony in LA.

November. Creed release their third album, "Weathered" on Wind-Up records. Produced again with John Kurzweg. Despite the replacement on Bass by Hestla, Mark Tremonti had recorded all the Bass parts for the album. The album again hit the #1 spot in it's first week, and stayed there for another eight weeks, by the end of which time it had sold no less than five million copies!

With new singles , "My Sacrifice", "Bullets", and "One Last Breath" topping the charts once more, the band had spawned another commercial success. They had swiftly become hot property, and had now racked up enormous sales for both Sony and Wind-Up records, with their previous album "Human Clay" now ringing up ten million sales.

2002 - April. Scott Stapp is involved in a car accident which leaves him concust, and needing treatment for neck and back injuries. However, after recovering quickly, the band go on to complete their scheduled US tour, with only limited cancellations.

2004 - June. Creed officially announce they would go their separate ways. Both Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti would, however, continue with contracts for Wind-Up records. The members announce a mutual break, and both sides were positive in their musical outlook for the future, with Stapp looking ahead to a solo project, and Tremonti looking to start afresh with a new band, although he did not have to look very far.

August. Mark Tremonti, Scott Phillips, and original Creed bassist, Brian Marshall and vocalist Myles Kennedy, ("Mayfield Four"), join forces with new band "Alter Bridge". They plan to release their debut album in August on Wind-up records. The quartet then plan a promotional acoustic tour of national radio, followed by a world tour beginning September.

"Alter Bridge" release their debut album on Wind-up records titled, "One day remains", produced with Ben Grosse. The album hits the Billboard album chart at #5 in it's first week.

Meanwhile Scott Stapp has collaborated with Canadian rock band, "Tea Party" for his debut solo album project.

November. Creed "Greatest hits" is released on wind-up records and includes tracks from all three multi platinum albums.

2005 - June. "Alter Bridge" embark on a European tour with "Audioslave", "Velvet Revolver", and "Black Sabbath".
October. "Alter Bridge" tour with "3 Doors Down" and "Staind".
November, they are back in the UK for a sell-out tour.

November. Scott Stapp releases his solo album, "The Great Divide". Released on Wind-Up records and co-produced with John Kurzweg, the album includes power rock ballads, "Justify", "Reach out", and "Surround me", "The Great divide", "Let me go", and "Fight song". Scott promotes the album with a mini tour of US clubs and venues, to critical acclaim, and rave reviews from "People magazine" and "Rolling Stone".

2006 - April. "Alter Bridge" part company with Wind-Up records.

May. Scott Stapp will tour with Aussie rockers INXS for their 29 date US. tour, starting in Cleveland May 19th, and will finish in Dallas June 29th.

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