Wes Scantlin is a name that many rock fans would recognize as the lead singer and guitarist of the post-grunge band Puddle of Mudd. He is also known for his turbulent personal life, legal troubles, and erratic behavior on stage. In this article, we will take a look at his career, net worth, and biography, and try to understand what went wrong for this talented musician.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Wes Scantlin was born on June 9, 1972, in Kansas City, Missouri. He developed an interest in music from a young age and was influenced by rock bands like AC/DC, Aerosmith, and Led Zeppelin. He started playing in bands in high school and formed Puddle of Mudd in 1992. The band’s name was inspired by their practice space near the Missouri River, which was always wet and muddy.
Puddle of Mudd released their debut EP, Stuck, in 1994, and their demo album, Abrasive, in 1997. However, they did not achieve much success until Scantlin moved to Los Angeles and met Fred Durst, the frontman of Limp Bizkit. Durst helped Scantlin sign a record deal and recruit new members for the band. In 2001, Puddle of Mudd released their major-label debut, Come Clean, which was a huge hit and sold over five million copies worldwide. The album spawned several singles, such as “Blurry”, “She Hates Me”, and “Control”, which topped the Billboard rock charts and received heavy airplay on MTV.
Puddle of Mudd followed up their success with three more albums: Life on Display in 2003, Famous in 2007, and Vol. 4: Songs in the Key of Love & Hate in 2009. The band also toured extensively and performed with other popular rock acts like Linkin Park, Nickelback, and Alice in Chains. Scantlin also collaborated with other artists, such as Carlos Santana, Steven Tyler, and Jerry Cantrell. He was ranked as one of the top 100 heavy metal vocalists by Hit Parader magazine.
Personal Life and Legal Troubles
Scantlin’s personal life, however, was not as smooth as his professional one. He married Jessica Nicole Smith in 2008, but they divorced in 2012. He also had a son, Jordan, from a previous relationship. Scantlin was involved in several incidents that landed him in legal trouble, such as domestic violence, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, vandalism, trespassing, and drug possession. He was arrested multiple times and faced fines, probation, and jail time.
Scantlin’s legal issues also affected his performance on stage. He often showed up late, forgot lyrics, argued with fans, and walked off mid-show. He also had several meltdowns and breakdowns, which were captured on video and posted online. Many fans and critics accused him of being unprofessional, disrespectful, and unstable. Some of his bandmates also quit or were fired due to his erratic behavior.
Net Worth, Height, and Weight
According to various sources, Scantlin’s net worth as of 2024 is estimated to be around $500,000. This is a significant drop from his peak net worth of $5 million in 20124. His net worth declined due to his legal fees, taxes, debts, and poor album sales. He also lost his house in 2015 after failing to pay his mortgage.
Scantlin’s height is reported to be 6 feet 1 inch (1.86 m) and his weight is around 179 lbs (81 kg). He has blonde hair and blue eyes. He has several tattoos on his body, including the words “Puddle of Mudd” on his chest and a portrait of Kurt Cobain on his arm.
Conclusion
Wes Scantlin is a talented singer and guitarist who rose to fame with his band Puddle of Mudd in the early 2000s. He achieved commercial and critical success with his catchy and emotional songs. However, he also struggled with personal and legal problems that tarnished his reputation and career. He is currently trying to make a comeback with his band, but he faces many challenges and uncertainties. He is a classic example of a rock star who had it all and lost it all.
