Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
As first tipped here last month, Creed is hammering out details
for a lucrative 2009 reunion tour, sources tell Billboard. The
Scott Stapp-led group, which was one of the top sellers of the past
decade, has not performed since a rancorous split in June
2004.
Stapp promptly embarked on a solo career, while guitarist Mark
Tremonti, drummer Scott Phillips and original bassist Brian
Marshall formed Alter Bridge with vocalist Myles Kennedy and
released two albums. The 2004 Wind-Up debut, "One Day Remains,"
sold 496,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen
SoundScan; a 2006 follow-up for Universal, "Blackbird," has moved
227,000.
However, Kennedy is rumored to be the top contender to replace
Robert Plant for a tour with Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and John
Paul Jones. And following a recent USO tour performing for American
servicemen oversees, Stapp is said to be in prime physical and
mental condition.
As such, there are "significant dollars" on the table for a Creed
trek, according to sources close to the situation, who say an
official announcement could be imminent. A spokesperson for Wind-Up
tells Billboard, "There have been some talks, but it would be
premature to comment on them at this time."
Creed has sold 26.1 million albums in the United States since 1997,
according to Nielsen SoundScan. The group was also a significant
touring presence, having grossed more than $70.3 million from 220
shows reported to Billboard Boxscore between Nov. 1997 and Dec.
2002.