In a new chat with Heavy Consequence, Scott Stapp reflected on the serious accident he went through.
When the interviewer said in the song ‘Higher Power,’ he talks about feeling abandoned and ready to face death, then finding redemption and feeling alive again. The singer spoke about whether it is related to his tough times from about ten years ago:
“Well, that lyric in particular refers to an accident that happened on November 18th, 2006. I talked about it in my book where I had a fall off the penthouse of the Delano in South Beach, messing around, goofing around under the influence, off a balcony. And fell 40 feet and landed on my head and broke my hip.”
Stapp revealed what the doctors said:
“According to doctors, had I landed a millimeter to the left or the millimeter to the right, my neck should have snapped and I shouldn’t be here. And so as I was talking to my maker, I was bleeding out. I couldn’t move. It was quite a heavy experience.”
What Did Scott Experience About Ten Years Ago?
In 2014, after Creed disbanded, Stapp faced severe personal challenges, including a public breakdown where he posted a video claiming he was destitute and living in a Holiday Inn. He made alarming 911 calls claiming family connections to ISIS and confessed to misusing prescription drugs. He also suffered from delusions and paranoia, and even threatened former President Barack Obama.
In an earlier interview with Nightline co-anchor Juju Chang, he talked about that period:
“I don’t have [a] rational understanding of why I was thinking that except that the substances that I had in my body created that paranoia. That’s when I was, like, ‘I gotta do whatever I’ve gotta do to save my family, and stay with the woman that I love, and keep this family together.’”
Years of substance abuse and mental health issues led to Stapp’s psychotic break. During Creed’s peak fame, he battled depression and used alcohol and drugs to cope, which harmed him and strained relationships. He sees his troubles as possibly rooted in childhood trauma. Stapp is sober today.