American singer Scott Weiland, best known as the lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, has died in his sleep at the age of 48.

His distinctive voice was showcased in grunge classics of the 1990s, such as Plush and Interstate Love Song.

He was also known for his struggles with addiction and had a colourful history fronting various bands.

A statement on his Facebook page yesterday said he had "passed away in his sleep while on a tour stop in Bloomington, Minnesota, with his band The Wildabouts".

It added: "At this time, we ask that the privacy of Scott's family be respected."

Weiland was found dead on the tour bus outside a motel near the venue where the band were due to perform, according to TMZ reports.

Details of his death are not known.

He is survived by his wife, Jamie Weiland, a photographer, who confirmed his death to The Los Angeles Times yesterday, saying: "I can't deal with this right now."

The couple met in 2011 on the set of his music video for I'll Be Home For Christmas and they married in 2013.

He is also survived by two children - Noah, 15, and Lucy, 13 - with his ex-wife, model Mary Forsberg.

Born Scott Richard Kline in San Jose, California, he rose to prominence as the lead singer of grunge rock band Stone Temple Pilots in the 1990s, which he had formed with brothers Robert and Dean DeLeo.

The band became one of the most commercially successful groups of the 1990s, selling close to 40 million records worldwide.

They released six albums from 1992 to 2010, before firing Weiland in 2013.

Linkin Park's lead singer Chester Bennington then replaced him as the frontman until November this year.

When the band went on hiatus between 2002 and 2008, Weiland formed the supergroup Velvet Revolver in 2003 with former members of Guns 'N' Roses Slash, Matt Sorum and Duff McKagan, as well as Dave Kushner of Wasted Youth.

The band went on to win the Grammy Award in 2005 for their single Slither in the Best Hard Rock Performance category.

Their 2007 album Libertad was the last to feature Weiland's vocals. He left the band in 2008 to rejoin Stone Temple Pilots.

He also released four solo albums.

Weiland has had many run-ins with the law as well as stints in rehabilitation over the years, due to drug use and driving under the influence.

His Velvet Revolver bandmate Kushner tweeted: "RIP Scott Weiland".