CREED Sued By Disappointed Fans Over Chicago Concert

Four attendees of CREED's notorious Dec. 29 Chicago-area concert have sued the band, claiming frontman Scott Stapp was "intoxicated and/or medicated" that night, Chicago Sun-Times has reported. The plaintiffs are each asking for a refund of the $56.75 ticket, plus parking expenses. They also are asking the judge to certify the suit as a class action on behalf of all 15,000 concertgoers — a move that possibly could cost CREED $2 million.

"Stapp left the stage on several occasions during songs for long periods of time, rolled around on the floor of the stage in apparent pain or distress and appeared to pass out on stage during the performance," according to the suit filed in Cook County Circuit Court.

CREED issued a written apology to fans in January, saying, "We apologize if you don't feel that the show was up to the very high standards set by our previous shows in Chicago. ... There has been much concern about Scott's health, and we want to assure everyone that he is doing very well."

But the band offered no refund.

Fans might have been surprised by Stapp's alleged drunkenness. The group sings songs with Christian subtext, and Stapp preaches against the evils of alcohol.

But the lawsuit says fellow band members Mark Tremonti and Scott Phillips knew of his condition and decided, along with Ticketmaster and management company JHMP, to go ahead with the show rather than cancel it and have to offer refunds.

"Stapp's drug and-or alcohol dependency or condition was well known to the other two members of the CREED band ... and was well known to JHMP," the suit said.