OBITUARY Scott Weiland's Guitarist Jeremy Brown Dies

Jeremy Brown, the lead guitarist in Scott Weiland's new band the Wildabouts, has died.

Weiland made a statement on his Facebook page saying he received a call from Brown's family after the guitarist did not show up at a rehearsal on March 30. The band was scheduled to perform a record release show March 30 in Hollywood for their debut album Blaster, which comes out today (March 31).

"I am in shock right now, everyone that knows him is devastated," Weiland wrote. "It is a terrible loss that goes beyond words. He is one of my best friends, a truest friend and one of the most gifted guitar players that I've ever known. A true genius. It's impossible to explain how much he will be missed and what a hole this will leave in our hearts. A post on Facebook feels so trite and small compared to the love that I have for him and for the talent that has passed on but I felt it was necessary to at least start here. Please keep his family in your thoughts."

Weiland met Brown in 2008 during the recording of Happy in Galoshes and they have worked together ever since. Brown was key in writing riffs for many of the Wildabouts songs and his guitar playing was a powerful voice in the band's sound.