Sorry, haters. Creed won and you lost.
At the turn of century, Tallahassee founded band Creed rode a post-flannel sound for hits like “Higher,” “My Own Prison,” “One” and “With Arms Wide Open.” Sold tens of millions of albums. Won a Grammy. Headlined big tours.
All while being a punching bag for rock critics and a punchline for millions of unconverted music listeners. To the point where in the aughts Creed became a lazy synonym for “things that suck,” along with Canadian rockers Nickelback.
But in the 2020s, after a 10 year hiatus, Creed’s doing big business again on the road. The band’s 2024 show here in Alabama, at since demolished Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in the Birmingham area, sold out. This year, Creed’s ongoing “Summer of ’99 Tour” includes two Alabama shows: July 22 at Huntsville’s Orion Amphitheater and July 24 at Orange Beach’s Wharf Amphitheater.
Tickets for both go on sale 10 a.m. CT Friday, via axs.com for Orion and ticketmaster.com for Wharf. Tickets for Orange Beach range from $39.50 to $225. Prices for Huntsville weren’t readily available.
Opening acts include Mammoth, the band fronted by Wolfgang Van Halen, son of guitar great Eddie Van Halen, and 2000s sleaze rockers Hinder, known for hits including “Lips Of An Angel” and “Better Than Me.” Mammoth’s signature songs include “Don’t Back Down” and “Distance,” Wolfgang’s stirring ode to his dearly departed dad.
In recent years, Creed’s undergone a reappraisal. Many music fans of a certain demographic now proudly share their love for Creed’s anthemic classic material. Even the press has come around some.
Nineties rap-rock orangutans Limp Bizkit have enjoyed a similar resurgence. Today, Creed’s “Higher” and Limp Bizkit’s song “Nookie” have resumed their rightful place as undeniable, crank the car-stereo-volume jams. Zero shame.
Creed’s catalog includes 1999 sophomore album “Human Clay,” which has sold more than 11 million copies in the U.S. For context, other albums in that sales range include: Led Zeppelin’s “House of the Holy,” Michael Jackson’s “Bad,” The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and Britney Spears’ “Oops!… I Did It Again.”
Creed’s 1997 debut album “My Own Prison” and 2001 third LP “Weathered” moved more than 6 million copies each. Their last studio album was 2009’s “Full Circle.” Last year they released the compilation “Best of Creed” and “Live in San Antonio.”
The band’s lineup features classic members Scott Stapp on vocals, guitarist Mark Tremonti, drummer Scott Phillips and bassist Brian Marshall. Rhythm guitarist Brian Brasher augments the band on tour.
In the early 2000s, Stapp battled personal demons, and he and the band parted ways. The other members of band started a new successful group, Alter Bridge, fronted by Myles Kennedy, who went on to become the singer for Guns N’ Roses guitar hero Slash’s solo band.