Creed

Formation

Creed is an American rock band that originated in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1994. The band was formed by vocalist Scott Stapp and guitarist Mark Tremonti, who were high school classmates and later friends at Florida State University. They shared a passion for music and songwriting, which led them to recruit bassist Brian Marshall, drummer Scott Phillips, and rhythm guitarist Brian Brasher. The group initially performed under the name "Naked Toddler" before settling on the name "Creed," inspired by a previous band name that Marshall had been part of.

Breakthrough

Creed gained local success in the late 1990s, culminating in the release of their debut album, "My Own Prison," in 1997. This album featured hit singles like "My Own Prison" and "What's This Life For," propelling the band into the national spotlight. Their follow-up albums, "Human Clay" (1999) and "Weathered" (2001), solidified their status in the post-grunge movement, with "Human Clay" achieving diamond certification and selling over 11 million copies in the U.S. The band's lineup remained stable until 2004, when they went on hiatus after releasing their fourth studio album, "Full Circle."

Legacy

Creed is recognized as one of the most commercially successful rock bands of the late 1990s and early 2000s, with over 28 million records sold in the U.S. alone. They won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song for their hit "With Arms Wide Open" in 2001 and were ranked as the 18th-best artist of the 2000s by Billboard. Despite their commercial success, the band has faced criticism and mixed reviews from music critics, with some labeling them as one of the most hated bands in rock history. Nevertheless, their influence on the post-grunge genre remains significant, and they continue to have a dedicated fan base.