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Layne Staley

December 27, 2022

Layne Thomas Staley (born Layne Rutherford Staley; August 22, 1967 – April 5, 2002)[7][8] was an American musician, songwriter and the original lead singer of the rock band Alice in Chains, which rose to international fame in the early 1990s as part of Seattle's grunge movement. He was known for his distinctive vocal style and tenor voice, as well as his harmonizing with guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell. Staley was also a member of the glam metal bands Sleze and Alice N' Chains, and the supergroups Mad Season and Class of '99.

Layne Staley
Staley performing with Alice in Chains in 1992
Background information
Birth nameLayne Rutherford Staley
Also known asLayne Elmer
Born(1967-08-22)August 22, 1967
Bellevue, Washington, U.S.
DiedApril 5, 2002(2002-04-05) (aged 34)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • drums (early)
Years active1984–1998
LabelsColumbia
Formerly of
Websitelayne-staley.com

"Man in the Box", the second single from Alice in Chains' debut album, Facelift (1990), garnered Staley critical recognition for his vocal style.[9] Alice in Chains' EP Jar of Flies (1994), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making it Alice in Chains' first record—and the first-ever EP—to top the chart.[10] However, Staley's deteriorating condition due to heroin abuse[11] led him to enter a rehabilitation clinic. He began to work on a side project with several Seattle musicians, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees and John Baker Saunders of The Walkabouts, which came to be Mad Season, while Alice in Chains went into hiatus.[12]

During Alice in Chains' hiatus, reports of Staley's drug addiction began to gain widespread circulation in fan and media communities, in part due to changes in his physical condition brought on by prolonged heroin abuse.[13] On April 10, 1996, the band returned with a performance on MTV Unplugged in New York; it was their first concert in two-and-a-half years.[14] From mid-1996 onwards, Staley was out of the public spotlight, never to perform live again.

Staley struggled with addiction for much of his adult life and later died from a speedball overdose on April 5, 2002, at the age of 34. Staley was ranked at No. 27 on Hit Parader's list of "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists" in 2006, and at No. 42 on Complex's magazine list of "The 50 Best Lead Singers of All Time" in 2012. Seattle officially declared August 22, 2019, as "Layne Staley Day". Staley earned six Grammy Award nominations as a member of Alice in Chains.[15]

Early life

Staley was born at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, Washington, on August 22, 1967.[16] His parents are Phillip Blair "Phil" Staley and Nancy Elizabeth Staley (née Layne). Staley did not like his middle name "Rutherford" and would get angry every time someone called him by this name. He legally changed his middle name to "Thomas" during his teens because he was a fan of Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee.[8][17]

Staley joined a rhythm band in Bellevue when he was two or three years old, and was the youngest in the group.[17] At nine years old, he wrote in his Dr. Seuss book, All About Me, that he wanted to be a singer.[17]

Staley was seven years old when his parents divorced, after which he was raised by his mother and stepfather, Jim Elmer.[18] He took his stepfather's surname while enrolled in Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood, and was known for some time as Layne Elmer.[19]

Staley was raised as a Christian Scientist,[20] but was critical of religion in his adult life,[21] stating in a 1991 interview: "I have a fascination with how brainwashed people get with religion and how they'll give up their money, their time and their whole life for a cause that they're sure is right, but I'm sure is wrong. I think there's a lot of people who are scared of life and living and they want to make sure they get to Heaven or whatever. I try to stay away from it as much as I can. I was raised in the church until I was 16 and I've disagreed with their beliefs as long as I can remember, so when I had the choice I chose not to believe in anything apart from myself."[22] Staley also stated in a 1999 interview that the song "Get Born Again" is about "religious hypocrisy".[23]

He approached music through his parents' collection, listening to Black Sabbath (regarded by him as his first influence) and Deep Purple.[24] Other favorite bands include hard rock and metal bands like The Stooges,[25] Anthrax, Judas Priest, Saxon, Rainbow, Mercyful Fate,[26] Twisted Sister, Van Halen, and industrial/new wave acts such as Ministry,[25] The Lords of the New Church and Skinny Puppy.[24] He also cited Prince and David Bowie as two of his biggest idols.[25]

Staley began playing drums at age 12; he played in several glam bands in his early teens, but by this point, Staley had aspirations of becoming a singer.[11] In 1984, Staley joined a group of Shorewood High students in a band called Sleze,[4] which also featured future members of The Dehumanizers and Second Coming.

In 1985, Staley and his band Sleze made a cameo in Father Rock, a low-budget movie from Seattle's Public Access Channel.[27] In 1986, Sleze morphed into Alice N' Chains, a band which Staley said "dressed in drag and played speed metal."[28] The new band performed around the Seattle area playing Slayer and Armored Saint covers.[29]

We were just blown away by him – he had 'star qualities' even then. He was much more timid – he looked down while he sang. But the grain of his voice was there, the soul was there.[30]

— Johnny Bacolas describing an 18-year-old Staley

Career

Alice in Chains and Mad Season

Main articles: Alice in Chains and Mad Season (band)
 
Staley (front) and Jerry Cantrell performing at The Channel in Boston in 1992

Staley met guitarist Jerry Cantrell at a party in Seattle while working at Music Bank rehearsal studios in 1987.[31][32] A few months before that, Cantrell had watched Staley performing with his then-band, Alice N' Chains, in his hometown at the Tacoma Little Theatre, and was impressed by his voice.[33] Cantrell was homeless after being kicked out of his family's house,[21] so Staley invited Cantrell to live with him at the Music Bank.[11] The two fast friends lived as roommates for over a year in the dilapidated rehearsal space they shared.[11][34]

Alice N' Chains soon disbanded and Staley joined a funk band,[35] which at the time also required a guitarist.[35] He asked Cantrell to join as a sideman.[35][36] Cantrell agreed on condition that Staley join his band,[36] which at the time did not have a name and included drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Starr.[35] They started auditioning terrible lead singers in front of Staley to send a hint, which made him angry.[34][36] The final straw for Staley was when they auditioned a male stripper in front of him – he decided to join the band after that.[34] Cantrell said this about Staley's voice: "I knew that voice was the guy I wanted to be playing with. It sounded like it came out of a 350-pound biker rather than skinny little Layne. I considered his voice to be my voice."[11] Eventually the funk project broke up, and in 1987, Staley joined Cantrell's band on a full-time basis.[34] The band had names like "Fuck"[35][34] and "Diamond Lie",[34][37] the latter being the name of Cantrell's previous band.[34]

Two weeks after the band's formation, they were playing a gig at the University of Washington, trying to fill out a 40-minute set with a couple of original songs along with Hanoi Rocks and David Bowie covers.[38] Diamond Lie gained attention in the Seattle area and eventually took the name of Staley's previous band, Alice N' Chains, then renamed Alice in Chains.[34][28][39] Staley got permission from his former bandmates to use the name.[40]

Local promoter Randy Hauser became aware of Alice in Chains at a concert and offered to pay for demo recordings. However, one day before the band was due to record at the Music Bank studio in Washington, police shut down the studio during the biggest cannabis raid in the history of the state.[28] The final demo, completed in 1988, was named The Treehouse Tapes and found its way to the music managers Kelly Curtis and Susan Silver, who also managed the Seattle-based band Soundgarden. Curtis and Silver passed the demo on to Columbia Records' A&R representative Nick Terzo, who set up an appointment with label president Don Ienner.[41] Based on The Treehouse Tapes, Terzo signed Alice in Chains to Columbia in 1989.[42][28] The band also recorded another untitled demo over a three-month period in 1989. This recording can be found on the bootleg release Sweet Alice.[43]

 
Staley performing with Alice in Chains in 1992

Alice in Chains released their debut album Facelift on August 21, 1990, shaping the band's signature style. The second single, "Man in the Box", with lyrics written by Staley, became a huge hit. "Man in the Box" is widely recognized for its distinctive "wordless opening melody, where Staley's peculiar, tensed-throat vocals are matched in unison with an effects-laden guitar" followed by "portentous lines like: 'Jesus Christ/Deny your maker' and 'He who tries/Will be wasted' with Cantrell's drier, and less-urgent voice."[9]

Facelift has since been certified double platinum by the RIAA for sales of two million copies in the United States.[44] The band toured in support of the album for two years before releasing the acoustic EP Sap in early 1992.[45] Alice in Chains made a cameo in Cameron Crowe's 1992 film Singles, performing the songs "It Ain't Like That" and "Would?".[46]

In September 1992, Alice in Chains released Dirt.[45] The critically acclaimed album, also the band's most successful, debuted at number six on the Billboard 200, and was certified quadruple platinum.[47][10] Staley designed the sun logo on the album's inlay.[48] During the Dirt tour in Brazil in 1993, Staley saved Starr's life after he had overdosed.[49][50] Because of Staley's drug addiction, the band did not tour in support of Dirt for very long.[51]

Cantrell wrote almost all of the music and lyrics for Alice in Chains, but as time went on, Staley contributed more lyrics. Eventually, Staley would receive credit for about half the lyrics from the entire Alice in Chains catalog prior to the release of Black Gives Way to Blue in 2009.[52] He also wrote the music and the lyrics to "Hate to Feel", "Angry Chair" and "Head Creeps", and melodies to other songs. Staley's lyrics are largely viewed as having dealt with his personal troubles, such as drug use and depression.[11] Staley also played guitar on "Angry Chair"[53][54] and "Hate to Feel".[55] Cantrell said of "Angry Chair" on the liner notes of the 1999 Music Bank box set:

Such a brilliant song. I'm very proud of Layne for writing it. When I've stepped up vocally in the past he's been so supportive, and here was a fine example of him stepping up with the guitar and writing a masterpiece.[56]

In 1994, Alice in Chains released their third EP, Jar of Flies. It debuted at number one, making it the first Alice in Chains release—and the first-ever EP—to do so.[10] The other members of Alice in Chains, seeing Staley's deteriorating condition, opted not to tour in support of Jar of Flies.[11] Following the album's release, Staley entered a rehabilitation clinic and began to work on a side project with several Seattle musicians, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees and John Baker Saunders of The Walkabouts.[12] The band worked on material for several months and played their first show at the Crocodile Cafe in Seattle under the name "The Gacy Bunch" on October 12, 1994.[57][58] Within a few weeks, the band changed its name to Mad Season.[59] In January 1995, Mad Season performed two songs on Pearl Jam's Self-Pollution satellite radio broadcast, "Lifeless Dead" and "I Don't Know Anything".[60] The band completed an album, titled Above, which was released in March 1995. The first single, "River of Deceit", became a modest success on alternative radio. A live performance filmed at the Moore Theatre in Seattle was released in August 1995 as a home video, Live at the Moore.[61]

During Alice in Chains' hiatus, reports of Staley's addiction began to gain widespread circulation in fan and media communities, in part due to changes in his physical condition brought on by prolonged heroin abuse.[13]

 
Staley with Mad Season in 1995

Alice in Chains regrouped to record Alice in Chains, sometimes referred to as "Tripod", which was released in November 1995. The album debuted at the top of the U.S. charts,[62] and has since been awarded—along with Facelift and Jar of Flies—double platinum status.[47] With the exceptions of "Grind", "Heaven Beside You", and "Over Now", the lyrics were all written by Staley,[63] making this album his greatest lyrical contribution to the band's catalogue. To accompany the album, the band released a home video, The Nona Tapes,[64] but the band lapsed again, failing to complete tours planned in support of the album. When asked about the frustration of not touring to support the record, Cantrell provided some insight into how Staley's addictions led to tensions within the band: "Very frustrating, but we stuck it out. We rode the good times together, and we stuck together through the hard times. We never stabbed each other in the back and spilled our guts and [did] that kind of bullshit that you see happen a lot."[65] "Drugs worked for me for years", Staley told Rolling Stone in February 1996, "and now they're turning against me, now I'm walking through hell and this sucks. I didn't want my fans to think that heroin was cool. But then I've had fans come up to me and give me the thumbs up, telling me they're high. That's exactly what I didn't want to happen."[21]

One of Staley's last shows with Alice in Chains was the MTV Unplugged performance in New York on April 10, 1996.[66] The recording of Unplugged came after a long period of inactivity for the band; it was their first concert in two-and-a-half years.[14] Staley made his last performance on July 3, 1996, in Kansas City, Missouri, while Alice in Chains were touring with Kiss.[11]

Other projects

Staley shared lead vocals with Ann Wilson for a cover of Bob Dylan's "Ring Them Bells", featured on Heart's 1993 album Desire Walks On.[67]

The song "It's Coming After" from Second Coming's 1994 debut album L.O.V.Evil features Staley on lead vocals.[68][69] Second Coming features Staley's bandmates from Alice N' Chains, his former band.[70]

One of the last songs that Staley recorded was a cover of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" with the supergroup Class of '99, featuring guitarist Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, bassist Martyn LeNoble, drummer Stephen Perkins, both from Jane's Addiction and Porno for Pyros, and keyboardist Matt Serletic.[71][72] In November 1998, the group recorded the song for the soundtrack to Robert Rodriguez's 1998 horror/sci-fi film The Faculty.[71] A music video was also released.[73] While the other members of the band were filmed specifically for the video, Staley's appearance consisted of footage pulled from Mad Season's 1995 Live at the Moore video.[74]

A song titled "Things You Do" featuring Staley on vocals was part of the soundtrack to the 2012 film Grassroots.[70] In the film, the song was credited to "The Bondage Boys featuring Layne Staley",[75] but the song had been credited to "Layne Staley and The Aftervibes" and "Layne Staley and Second Coming" when it leaked on the internet years before.[70]

Personal life

In the early 1990s, Staley enrolled in several rehab programs, but he failed to stay clean for long. At one point, the other members of Alice in Chains flew to Los Angeles for weekly therapy at Staley's rehab.[11] During the Dirt tour, Alice in Chains' manager, Susan Silver, hired bodyguards to keep Staley away from people who might try to pass him drugs,[76] but he ended up relapsing on alcohol and drugs during the tour.[77] Screaming Trees' Mark Lanegan recalled partying with Staley on tour and said that, "off stage, it was an insane, dark, drug and alcohol-fuelled frat party from start to finish, with Layne [Staley] and I raising hell, behaving like teenagers, staying up for days on end. We partook of whatever drugs came our way. Heroin, cocaine, painkillers, anything."[78] Kurt Cobain's death in April 1994 scared Staley into temporary sobriety, but soon he was back into his addiction. Alice in Chains' managers turned down lucrative touring possibilities and kept the band off the road, hoping that would help Staley.[11] Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready also tried to help Staley by inviting him to his side project, Mad Season.[79][80] McCready had hoped that playing with sober musicians would encourage Staley.[11] On October 29, 1996, Staley's former fiancée, Demri Lara Parrott, died of a drug overdose.[81][82] Staley was placed on a 24-hour suicide watch,[11] according to NME, which quoted a friend saying Staley was taking Parrott's death "extremely badly" and had fallen into a deep depression.[83] Lanegan told Rolling Stone in 2002, "He never recovered from Demri's death. After that, I don't think he wanted to go on."[11]

Final years: 1997–2002

On February 26, 1997, Staley and the other members of Alice in Chains attended the Grammy Awards after the song "Again" was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance.[84] In April of that same year, Staley purchased a 1,500 sq ft (140 m2), three-bedroom condominium in Seattle's University District via a trust. Toby Wright, the producer of Alice in Chains' third album, set up a home recording system for him there.[85]

In 1998, amid rumors that Staley rarely left his apartment, had contracted gangrene, and had lost the ability to ingest food and was living on a diet of Ensure, Jerry Cantrell told Kerrang! that the members of Alice in Chains regularly hung out at Staley's house.[11] On June 22, 1998, Staley made a phone call to radio program Rockline and gave a rare interview while Cantrell was promoting his first solo album, Boggy Depot. Staley called the show to talk to Cantrell and stated that he had loved the album.[86]

In October 1998, Staley re-emerged to record two tracks with Alice in Chains, "Get Born Again" and "Died", which were released on the Music Bank box set in 1999.[45][87] Additional reports of Staley's deteriorating condition persisted in the midst of the sessions. Dirt producer Dave Jerden—originally chosen by the band for the production—said, "Staley weighed 80 pounds…and was white as a ghost." Studio engineer Elan Trujillo commented that Layne "definitely didn't look like how he used to look" and noticed Staley had, in addition to no teeth, atrophy in his legs.[88] Cantrell refused to comment on the singer's appearance, and band manager Susan Silver said she had not seen him since "last year".[87]

Staley made his final public appearance on October 31, 1998, when he attended a Jerry Cantrell solo concert in Seattle. He declined Cantrell's request to sing with him on stage. A photo taken of Staley backstage at this show is the most recent photo of him that has been publicly released.[89]

Thereafter, Staley was thought to have left behind his "self-imposed rock & roll exile", when in November 1998 he laid down additional vocal tracks as part of a supergroup called Class of '99, featuring members of Rage Against the Machine, Jane's Addiction, and Porno for Pyros.[71]

On July 19, 1999, the radio program Rockline was hosting Cantrell, Inez, and Kinney for a discussion on the release of Nothing Safe: Best of the Box, when, unexpectedly, Staley called in to participate. This was Staley's last interview.[90]

From 1999 to 2002, Staley became more reclusive and depressed,[91] rarely leaving his Seattle condo; little is known about the details of his life during this period. Staley was rumored to spend most of his days creating art, playing video games, or nodding off on drugs.[11] Staley's one time roommate and friend Morgen Gallagher later said that around 2001 Staley was going to audition for Audioslave; this claim was later debunked by Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello.[92][93]

Staley's mother, Nancy McCallum, told The Seattle Times in 2007 that despite his isolation, he was never far from the love of his family and friends, who filled his answering machine and mailbox with messages and letters. "Just because he was isolated doesn't mean we didn't have sweet moments with him." McCallum has also claimed that she saw Staley on Thanksgiving of 2001, and again just around Valentine's Day of 2002, when he visited his sister's baby. This was the last time that McCallum saw her son.[19] Sean Kinney has commented on Staley's final years and isolation period:

It got to a point where he'd kept himself so locked up, both physically and emotionally. I kept trying to make contact...Three times a week, like clockwork, I'd call him, but he'd never answer. Every time I was in the area, I was up in front of his place yelling for him ... Even if you could get in his building, he wasn't going to open the door. You'd phone and he wouldn't answer. You couldn't just kick the door in and grab him, though there were so many times I thought about doing that. But if someone won't help themselves, what, really, can anyone else do?[11]

Staley's physical appearance had become even worse than before: he had lost several teeth, his skin was sickly pale, and he was severely emaciated. Close friends such as Matt Fox said, "If no one heard from him for weeks, it wasn't unusual". Staley grew increasingly disconnected from his friends and bandmates who repeatedly tried to get him into rehab, but Staley refused.[94] Staley's close friend Mark Lanegan said, "He didn't speak to anybody as of late… It's been a few months since I talked to him. But for us to not talk for a few months is par for the course."[95]

Death

On April 19, 2002, Staley's accountants contacted his former manager, Susan Silver, and informed her that no money had been withdrawn from the singer's bank account in two weeks. Silver then contacted Staley's mother, Nancy McCallum, who placed a call with 911 to say she had not heard from him "in about two weeks".[96] The police went with McCallum and her ex-husband, Jim Elmer,[18] to Staley's home.[20] It was reported that the 6-foot (1.8 m) Staley weighed only 86 pounds (39 kg) when his body was discovered.[97] Staley's body was partially decomposed when he was found. Medical examiners had to identify the body by comparing dental records.[98] Years later, McCallum revealed that two days before Staley's body was found, she went to his apartment to let him know about the death of Demri Parrott's brother, but there was no answer. When she got the phone call to check on her son two days later, she was not surprised that Staley had not responded. There was some mail by his door. Staley owned a cat named Sadie at the time, who was usually quiet; upon hearing Sadie meow, McCallum became worried it was a call of distress. Still not receiving an answer from Staley, McCallum called 911.[20]

The autopsy and toxicology report on Staley's body revealed that he died from a mixture of heroin and cocaine, known as a speedball.[99] The autopsy concluded that Staley died two weeks before his body was found, on April 5—the same day fellow grunge musician Kurt Cobain died eight years prior.[100] Staley's death was classified as "accidental".[100] Staley's Alice in Chains bandmates issued the following statement:

It's good to be with friends and family as we struggle to deal with this immense loss … and try to celebrate this immense life. We are looking for all the usual things: comfort, purpose, answers, something to hold on to, a way to let him go in peace. Mostly, we are feeling heartbroken over the death of our beautiful friend. He was a sweet man with a keen sense of humor and a deep sense of humanity. He was an amazing musician, an inspiration, and a comfort to so many. He made great music and gifted it to the world. We are proud to have known him, to be his friend, and to create music with him. For the past decade, Layne struggled greatly—we can only hope that he has at last found some peace. We love you, Layne. Dearly. And we will miss you … endlessly.[101]

In 2010, in an interview on VH1's Celebrity Rehab with Staley's mother, Nancy McCallum,[102] former Alice in Chains bass player Mike Starr said that he was the last person to see Staley alive and had spent time with him the day before his death, on Starr's birthday, April 4. Starr claimed that Staley was very sick but would not call 911. They briefly argued, which ended with Starr storming out. Starr stated that Staley called after him as he left and said: "Not like this, don't leave like this."[103] Staley died the following day, April 5. Starr expressed regret for not calling 911 to save his life, and said that Staley had threatened to sever their friendship if he did. Starr regreted being high on benzodiazepines that night and having walked out of the door.[104][105] The interview ended with Starr apologizing to McCallum for not calling 911, but she was insistent that neither she nor anyone in her family blamed Starr for Staley's death. She also told Starr: "Layne would forgive you. He'd say, 'Hey, I did this. Not you.'" Starr still blamed himself for the death of Staley.[103] Starr kept this story a secret until his appearance on Celebrity Rehab in February 2010.[106] During this same interview, McCallum also said that Staley had attempted rehab 13 times, although it is not clear whether any of these attempts were during his reclusive years.[103] Starr was found dead on March 8, 2011, as a result of prescription drug overdose.[105]

Aftermath

An informal memorial was held for Staley on the night of April 20, 2002, at the Seattle Center, which was attended by at least 100 fans and friends, including Alice in Chains bandmates Cantrell, Starr, Inez and Kinney, and Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell.[107][108] Staley's body was cremated and a private memorial service was held for him on April 28, 2002, on Bainbridge Island in Washington's Puget Sound. During her appearance on Celebrity Rehab in 2010, Staley's mother said she has her son's ashes in a box.[103] Staley's private memorial was attended by his family and friends, along with his Alice in Chains bandmates, the band's manager Susan Silver and her then-husband Chris Cornell, as well as other music personalities. Chris Cornell, joined by Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson, sang a rendition of The Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses" at the funeral.[109] They also performed The Lovemongers' song "Sand".[110]

Jerry Cantrell dedicated his solo album, Degradation Trip, released two months after Staley's death, to his memory.[111] Cantrell also took in Staley's cat, Sadie, and he and the family cared for the pet for eight years until Sadie died in 2010 at the age of 18.[112]

Shortly after Staley's death, his parents Nancy McCallum and Phil Staley started receiving donations from fans all over the world. Nancy and Phil worked with Seattle's Therapeutic Health Services clinic to create the Layne Staley Memorial Fund to help other heroin addicts and their families in the Seattle music community.[113][114]

Alice in Chains remained inactive following Staley's death. For the next several years, the band refused to perform together out of respect for him.[65][115] In 2005, Cantrell, Kinney, and Inez reunited for a benefit concert for victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, with several vocalists filling in for Staley.[115] Following positive response, the band decided to reunite formally in 2006. Comes with the Fall vocalist William DuVall, a member of Cantrell's solo touring band who often sang Staley's parts on the Alice in Chains songs that Cantrell performed, was announced to sing Staley's part for the reunion shows.[116] In an interview with MTV News, Kinney noted that the band would use the reunion concerts to pay tribute to the songs and to Staley.[116] The band used to have an intermission to include a five-minute filmed tribute to Staley in between sets.[117] DuVall has since become Staley's full-time replacement in the band, contributing to three full-length releases.

Tributes and influence

Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins stated that Staley "had an amazing voice that had such a beautiful, sad, haunting quality about it. He was different because his heaviness was in that voice."[101] The song "Bleeding The Orchid" from The Smashing Pumpkins' 2007 album Zeitgeist was indirectly inspired by the death of Staley.[118]

Cold's song "The Day Seattle Died" from their 2003 album Year of the Spider was an ode to Staley, as well as fellow grunge figurehead Kurt Cobain.[119] That same year Staind featured a song called "Layne" in memory to the singer on their album 14 Shades of Grey.[119] In their 2004 album Hangover Music Vol. VI, Black Label Society also included a tribute to Staley, titled "Layne".[120]

Eddie Vedder, lead singer of Pearl Jam, wrote a song eulogizing Staley, titled "4/20/02" (the day Vedder heard the news).[121] The song featured only Vedder singing and playing the guitar in a ukulele-inspired tuning, and was released as a hidden track on Pearl Jam's 2003 B-sides and rarities album, Lost Dogs, roughly four minutes and twenty seconds after the conclusion of the final listed song, "Bee Girl".[121] Vedder also paid tribute to Staley during a Pearl Jam concert in Chicago on August 22, 2016, which would have been Staley's 49th birthday, and dedicated the song "Man of the Hour" to his late friend.[122]

Jerry Cantrell said Staley gave him the self-assurance to sing.[56][33] "Layne was really responsible for giving me the confidence to become more of a singer. He'd say, 'You wrote this song, this means something to you, sing it.' He kicked my ass out of the nest. Over the years I continued to grow, and Layne started to play guitar, and we inspired each other".[123]

Since 2002, Seattle has hosted an annual tribute concert for Staley on his birthday. Venues such as the Moore Theatre,[124] The Showbox[125] The Fenix,[126] and The Crocodile[127] have hosted the event. The show proceeds benefit the Layne Staley Memorial Fund.[128]

Staley ranked at No. 27 on Hit Parader magazine's list of "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists" published in the November 2006 issue,[129] and at No. 42 on Complex's magazine list of "The 50 Best Lead Singers of All Time" in 2012.[130]

Staley was an inspiration for the title of Metallica's 2008 album, Death Magnetic.[119] The band recorded a song in tribute to him, titled "Rebel of Babylon".[131]

In 2009, Alice in Chains released their first studio album in 14 years, Black Gives Way to Blue, with Cantrell and then-new vocalist and rhythm guitarist William DuVall sharing lead vocals.[132] The title track is a tribute to Staley.[133] Cantrell invited Elton John to join Alice in Chains and pay tribute to Staley playing the piano in "Black Gives Way to Blue",[134] the closing song in the album.[135] The song was written and sung by Cantrell, who described it as the band's goodbye to Staley.[136] The first concert that Staley attended was Elton John's and he was blown away by it.[135] According to Cantrell, the album's cover art featuring a heart surrounded by a black background was inspired by the fact that the members of the band had their hearts broken by losing Staley.[137] Staley's former bandmates also thanked him in the album's liner notes.[138]

On September 6, 2011, Hank Williams III released his Attention Deficit Domination album and dedicated it to Staley.[139]

Staley's Alice in Chains bandmates have stated that one of the saddest aspects of his legacy is to hear him remembered primarily for his drug use rather than the other aspects of his personality.[140][123] Kinney and Cantrell have also expressed their frustration over the Grammys ignoring Staley during their annual tribute to the musicians who have died in the past year.[141]

In 2013, Alice in Chains' drummer, Sean Kinney, added the initials "LSMS" on his drum kit, a tribute to Staley and the band's former bassist, Mike Starr, who died in 2011.[142][143] The music video for Alice in Chains' 2013 single, "Voices", features a picture of Staley next to a photo of Nirvana's frontman, Kurt Cobain, at the 2:20 mark.[144]

Since Alice in Chains reunited, Jerry Cantrell started paying tribute to Staley before performing the song "Nutshell".[145] Since 2011, Cantrell pays tribute to both Staley and Mike Starr before performing the song at concerts.[146]

In April 2017, Nancy Wilson revealed that she started writing the song "The Dragon" for Staley in the '90s. The song was recorded in 2016 and is part of the EP of Wilson's new band, Roadcase Royale, released in 2017.[147][148]

On Staley's 50th birthday, August 22, 2017, Alice in Chains released a video paying tribute to him, featuring Jerry Cantrell, Ann Wilson, Mike McCready and Barrett Martin.[149]

William DuVall revealed that he was thinking about Staley, his grandmother and the late Soundgarden lead vocalist Chris Cornell while writing the Alice in Chains' song "Never Fade", from their 2018 album, Rainier Fog.[150] The album's title track, written by Cantrell, is partly a tribute to Staley and Mike Starr.[151]

Layne Staley Day in Seattle

On August 22, 2019, which would have been Staley's 52nd birthday, Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan officially proclaimed that day as "Layne Staley Day" in the city in honor of Staley's contributions to the world of music. The day was also a call to attention to the Layne Staley Memorial Fund, established by his parents in 2002.[152]

Books

Two biographies have been written about Staley, both authored by Adriana Rubio—Layne Staley: Angry Chair released in 2003, which contains an alleged final interview of Staley that Rubio claimed to have conducted less than three months before his death,[81] and Layne Staley: Get Born Again, released in 2009, a revised and updated version of her earlier book.[153]

Staley's family has disputed Rubio's work, stating they do not believe she interviewed him in 2002.[154] Staley's last interview was for the radio Rockline on July 19, 1999, promoting the release of the compilation album Nothing Safe: Best of the Box with the other members of Alice in Chains.[155] The content of Rubio's book, including what she referred to as Staley's final interview, was called into question in journalist David De Sola's 2015 book Alice in Chains: The Untold Story.[81] De Sola questions not only the content of the interview, which portrays Staley as using his lyrics in casual conversation, it also indicates that Rubio never spoke to him, citing her refusal to release the tape with the interview and the fact that not even her publisher had access to the tape.[81] One of Staley's sisters, Liz Coats, likewise doubted the veracity of the book.[154]

Staley was featured on the books Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music (2009) by Greg Prato,[156] and Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge (2011) by Mark Yarm. Both books explored the history of grunge in detail and touch upon Alice in Chains and Staley's life and death via interviews with Staley's mother, friends and bandmates, including Cantrell, Kinney, Starr and Inez.[157][158]

In August 2015, journalist David de Sola released the biography Alice in Chains: The Untold Story,[159] which is mainly focused on Staley and features interviews with his friends and relatives; the surviving members of Alice in Chains did not partake in interviews for this book.[160]

Discography

Alice in Chains

Main article: Alice in Chains discography

Staley appeared on all Alice in Chains releases from We Die Young up to the song "Died", later taking part in reissues and compilations containing material from his time in the band.

Other appearances

Other appearances by Layne Staley
Title Album details Band Notes
Desire Walks On
  • Released: November 16, 1993
  • Label: Capitol
 Heart Guest vocals on the song "Ring Them Bells".
Above
  • Released: March 14, 1995
  • Label: Columbia
 Mad Season US No. 24;[161] RIAA: Gold[162]
Working Class Hero: A Tribute to John Lennon Vocals on "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier".
L.O.V.Evil
  • Released: December 15, 1995
  • Label: Red Rocket
 Second Coming Guest vocals on the song "It's Coming After".
The Faculty: Music from the Dimension Motion Picture
  • Released: December 8, 1998
  • Label: Sony
 Class of '99 Vocals on "Another Brick in the Wall Part 1, Part 2"

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External links

  • Official website
  • Alice In Chains - Official Site
  • Layne Staley discography at Discogs  
  • Layne Staley at AllMusic
  • Layne Staley at IMDb
  • Archive Seattle Police incident report at The Smoking Gun

December 27, 2022
layne, staley, layne, thomas, staley, born, layne, rutherford, staley, august, 1967, april, 2002, american, musician, songwriter, original, lead, singer, rock, band, alice, chains, which, rose, international, fame, early, 1990s, part, seattle, grunge, movement. Layne Thomas Staley born Layne Rutherford Staley August 22 1967 April 5 2002 7 8 was an American musician songwriter and the original lead singer of the rock band Alice in Chains which rose to international fame in the early 1990s as part of Seattle s grunge movement He was known for his distinctive vocal style and tenor voice as well as his harmonizing with guitarist vocalist Jerry Cantrell Staley was also a member of the glam metal bands Sleze and Alice N Chains and the supergroups Mad Season and Class of 99 Layne StaleyStaley performing with Alice in Chains in 1992Background informationBirth nameLayne Rutherford StaleyAlso known asLayne ElmerBorn 1967 08 22 August 22 1967Bellevue Washington U S DiedApril 5 2002 2002 04 05 aged 34 Seattle Washington U S GenresAlternative metal 1 alternative rock 2 grunge 3 4 hard rock 5 glam metal early 6 Occupation s MusiciansingersongwriterInstrument s Vocalsguitardrums early Years active1984 1998LabelsColumbiaFormerly ofAlice in ChainsMad SeasonClass of 99Alice N ChainsSlezeWebsitelayne staley wbr com Man in the Box the second single from Alice in Chains debut album Facelift 1990 garnered Staley critical recognition for his vocal style 9 Alice in Chains EP Jar of Flies 1994 debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 making it Alice in Chains first record and the first ever EP to top the chart 10 However Staley s deteriorating condition due to heroin abuse 11 led him to enter a rehabilitation clinic He began to work on a side project with several Seattle musicians Mike McCready of Pearl Jam Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees and John Baker Saunders of The Walkabouts which came to be Mad Season while Alice in Chains went into hiatus 12 During Alice in Chains hiatus reports of Staley s drug addiction began to gain widespread circulation in fan and media communities in part due to changes in his physical condition brought on by prolonged heroin abuse 13 On April 10 1996 the band returned with a performance on MTV Unplugged in New York it was their first concert in two and a half years 14 From mid 1996 onwards Staley was out of the public spotlight never to perform live again Staley struggled with addiction for much of his adult life and later died from a speedball overdose on April 5 2002 at the age of 34 Staley was ranked at No 27 on Hit Parader s list of Heavy Metal s All Time Top 100 Vocalists in 2006 and at No 42 on Complex s magazine list of The 50 Best Lead Singers of All Time in 2012 Seattle officially declared August 22 2019 as Layne Staley Day Staley earned six Grammy Award nominations as a member of Alice in Chains 15 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 2 1 Alice in Chains and Mad Season 3 Other projects 4 Personal life 4 1 Final years 1997 2002 5 Death 5 1 Aftermath 6 Tributes and influence 6 1 Layne Staley Day in Seattle 6 2 Books 7 Discography 7 1 Alice in Chains 7 2 Other appearances 8 References 9 External linksEarly life EditStaley was born at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue Washington on August 22 1967 16 His parents are Phillip Blair Phil Staley and Nancy Elizabeth Staley nee Layne Staley did not like his middle name Rutherford and would get angry every time someone called him by this name He legally changed his middle name to Thomas during his teens because he was a fan of Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee 8 17 Staley joined a rhythm band in Bellevue when he was two or three years old and was the youngest in the group 17 At nine years old he wrote in his Dr Seuss book All About Me that he wanted to be a singer 17 Staley was seven years old when his parents divorced after which he was raised by his mother and stepfather Jim Elmer 18 He took his stepfather s surname while enrolled in Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood and was known for some time as Layne Elmer 19 Staley was raised as a Christian Scientist 20 but was critical of religion in his adult life 21 stating in a 1991 interview I have a fascination with how brainwashed people get with religion and how they ll give up their money their time and their whole life for a cause that they re sure is right but I m sure is wrong I think there s a lot of people who are scared of life and living and they want to make sure they get to Heaven or whatever I try to stay away from it as much as I can I was raised in the church until I was 16 and I ve disagreed with their beliefs as long as I can remember so when I had the choice I chose not to believe in anything apart from myself 22 Staley also stated in a 1999 interview that the song Get Born Again is about religious hypocrisy 23 He approached music through his parents collection listening to Black Sabbath regarded by him as his first influence and Deep Purple 24 Other favorite bands include hard rock and metal bands like The Stooges 25 Anthrax Judas Priest Saxon Rainbow Mercyful Fate 26 Twisted Sister Van Halen and industrial new wave acts such as Ministry 25 The Lords of the New Church and Skinny Puppy 24 He also cited Prince and David Bowie as two of his biggest idols 25 Staley began playing drums at age 12 he played in several glam bands in his early teens but by this point Staley had aspirations of becoming a singer 11 In 1984 Staley joined a group of Shorewood High students in a band called Sleze 4 which also featured future members of The Dehumanizers and Second Coming In 1985 Staley and his band Sleze made a cameo in Father Rock a low budget movie from Seattle s Public Access Channel 27 In 1986 Sleze morphed into Alice N Chains a band which Staley said dressed in drag and played speed metal 28 The new band performed around the Seattle area playing Slayer and Armored Saint covers 29 We were just blown away by him he had star qualities even then He was much more timid he looked down while he sang But the grain of his voice was there the soul was there 30 Johnny Bacolas describing an 18 year old StaleyCareer EditAlice in Chains and Mad Season Edit Main articles Alice in Chains and Mad Season band Staley front and Jerry Cantrell performing at The Channel in Boston in 1992 Staley met guitarist Jerry Cantrell at a party in Seattle while working at Music Bank rehearsal studios in 1987 31 32 A few months before that Cantrell had watched Staley performing with his then band Alice N Chains in his hometown at the Tacoma Little Theatre and was impressed by his voice 33 Cantrell was homeless after being kicked out of his family s house 21 so Staley invited Cantrell to live with him at the Music Bank 11 The two fast friends lived as roommates for over a year in the dilapidated rehearsal space they shared 11 34 Alice N Chains soon disbanded and Staley joined a funk band 35 which at the time also required a guitarist 35 He asked Cantrell to join as a sideman 35 36 Cantrell agreed on condition that Staley join his band 36 which at the time did not have a name and included drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Starr 35 They started auditioning terrible lead singers in front of Staley to send a hint which made him angry 34 36 The final straw for Staley was when they auditioned a male stripper in front of him he decided to join the band after that 34 Cantrell said this about Staley s voice I knew that voice was the guy I wanted to be playing with It sounded like it came out of a 350 pound biker rather than skinny little Layne I considered his voice to be my voice 11 Eventually the funk project broke up and in 1987 Staley joined Cantrell s band on a full time basis 34 The band had names like Fuck 35 34 and Diamond Lie 34 37 the latter being the name of Cantrell s previous band 34 Two weeks after the band s formation they were playing a gig at the University of Washington trying to fill out a 40 minute set with a couple of original songs along with Hanoi Rocks and David Bowie covers 38 Diamond Lie gained attention in the Seattle area and eventually took the name of Staley s previous band Alice N Chains then renamed Alice in Chains 34 28 39 Staley got permission from his former bandmates to use the name 40 Local promoter Randy Hauser became aware of Alice in Chains at a concert and offered to pay for demo recordings However one day before the band was due to record at the Music Bank studio in Washington police shut down the studio during the biggest cannabis raid in the history of the state 28 The final demo completed in 1988 was named The Treehouse Tapes and found its way to the music managers Kelly Curtis and Susan Silver who also managed the Seattle based band Soundgarden Curtis and Silver passed the demo on to Columbia Records A amp R representative Nick Terzo who set up an appointment with label president Don Ienner 41 Based on The Treehouse Tapes Terzo signed Alice in Chains to Columbia in 1989 42 28 The band also recorded another untitled demo over a three month period in 1989 This recording can be found on the bootleg release Sweet Alice 43 Staley performing with Alice in Chains in 1992 Alice in Chains released their debut album Facelift on August 21 1990 shaping the band s signature style The second single Man in the Box with lyrics written by Staley became a huge hit Man in the Box is widely recognized for its distinctive wordless opening melody where Staley s peculiar tensed throat vocals are matched in unison with an effects laden guitar followed by portentous lines like Jesus Christ Deny your maker and He who tries Will be wasted with Cantrell s drier and less urgent voice 9 Facelift has since been certified double platinum by the RIAA for sales of two million copies in the United States 44 The band toured in support of the album for two years before releasing the acoustic EP Sap in early 1992 45 Alice in Chains made a cameo in Cameron Crowe s 1992 film Singles performing the songs It Ain t Like That and Would 46 In September 1992 Alice in Chains released Dirt 45 The critically acclaimed album also the band s most successful debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 and was certified quadruple platinum 47 10 Staley designed the sun logo on the album s inlay 48 During the Dirt tour in Brazil in 1993 Staley saved Starr s life after he had overdosed 49 50 Because of Staley s drug addiction the band did not tour in support of Dirt for very long 51 Cantrell wrote almost all of the music and lyrics for Alice in Chains but as time went on Staley contributed more lyrics Eventually Staley would receive credit for about half the lyrics from the entire Alice in Chains catalog prior to the release of Black Gives Way to Blue in 2009 52 He also wrote the music and the lyrics to Hate to Feel Angry Chair and Head Creeps and melodies to other songs Staley s lyrics are largely viewed as having dealt with his personal troubles such as drug use and depression 11 Staley also played guitar on Angry Chair 53 54 and Hate to Feel 55 Cantrell said of Angry Chair on the liner notes of the 1999 Music Bank box set Such a brilliant song I m very proud of Layne for writing it When I ve stepped up vocally in the past he s been so supportive and here was a fine example of him stepping up with the guitar and writing a masterpiece 56 In 1994 Alice in Chains released their third EP Jar of Flies It debuted at number one making it the first Alice in Chains release and the first ever EP to do so 10 The other members of Alice in Chains seeing Staley s deteriorating condition opted not to tour in support of Jar of Flies 11 Following the album s release Staley entered a rehabilitation clinic and began to work on a side project with several Seattle musicians Mike McCready of Pearl Jam Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees and John Baker Saunders of The Walkabouts 12 The band worked on material for several months and played their first show at the Crocodile Cafe in Seattle under the name The Gacy Bunch on October 12 1994 57 58 Within a few weeks the band changed its name to Mad Season 59 In January 1995 Mad Season performed two songs on Pearl Jam s Self Pollution satellite radio broadcast Lifeless Dead and I Don t Know Anything 60 The band completed an album titled Above which was released in March 1995 The first single River of Deceit became a modest success on alternative radio A live performance filmed at the Moore Theatre in Seattle was released in August 1995 as a home video Live at the Moore 61 During Alice in Chains hiatus reports of Staley s addiction began to gain widespread circulation in fan and media communities in part due to changes in his physical condition brought on by prolonged heroin abuse 13 Staley with Mad Season in 1995 Alice in Chains regrouped to record Alice in Chains sometimes referred to as Tripod which was released in November 1995 The album debuted at the top of the U S charts 62 and has since been awarded along with Facelift and Jar of Flies double platinum status 47 With the exceptions of Grind Heaven Beside You and Over Now the lyrics were all written by Staley 63 making this album his greatest lyrical contribution to the band s catalogue To accompany the album the band released a home video The Nona Tapes 64 but the band lapsed again failing to complete tours planned in support of the album When asked about the frustration of not touring to support the record Cantrell provided some insight into how Staley s addictions led to tensions within the band Very frustrating but we stuck it out We rode the good times together and we stuck together through the hard times We never stabbed each other in the back and spilled our guts and did that kind of bullshit that you see happen a lot 65 Drugs worked for me for years Staley told Rolling Stone in February 1996 and now they re turning against me now I m walking through hell and this sucks I didn t want my fans to think that heroin was cool But then I ve had fans come up to me and give me the thumbs up telling me they re high That s exactly what I didn t want to happen 21 One of Staley s last shows with Alice in Chains was the MTV Unplugged performance in New York on April 10 1996 66 The recording of Unplugged came after a long period of inactivity for the band it was their first concert in two and a half years 14 Staley made his last performance on July 3 1996 in Kansas City Missouri while Alice in Chains were touring with Kiss 11 Other projects EditStaley shared lead vocals with Ann Wilson for a cover of Bob Dylan s Ring Them Bells featured on Heart s 1993 album Desire Walks On 67 The song It s Coming After from Second Coming s 1994 debut album L O V Evil features Staley on lead vocals 68 69 Second Coming features Staley s bandmates from Alice N Chains his former band 70 One of the last songs that Staley recorded was a cover of Pink Floyd s Another Brick in the Wall with the supergroup Class of 99 featuring guitarist Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine bassist Martyn LeNoble drummer Stephen Perkins both from Jane s Addiction and Porno for Pyros and keyboardist Matt Serletic 71 72 In November 1998 the group recorded the song for the soundtrack to Robert Rodriguez s 1998 horror sci fi film The Faculty 71 A music video was also released 73 While the other members of the band were filmed specifically for the video Staley s appearance consisted of footage pulled from Mad Season s 1995 Live at the Moore video 74 A song titled Things You Do featuring Staley on vocals was part of the soundtrack to the 2012 film Grassroots 70 In the film the song was credited to The Bondage Boys featuring Layne Staley 75 but the song had been credited to Layne Staley and The Aftervibes and Layne Staley and Second Coming when it leaked on the internet years before 70 Personal life EditIn the early 1990s Staley enrolled in several rehab programs but he failed to stay clean for long At one point the other members of Alice in Chains flew to Los Angeles for weekly therapy at Staley s rehab 11 During the Dirt tour Alice in Chains manager Susan Silver hired bodyguards to keep Staley away from people who might try to pass him drugs 76 but he ended up relapsing on alcohol and drugs during the tour 77 Screaming Trees Mark Lanegan recalled partying with Staley on tour and said that off stage it was an insane dark drug and alcohol fuelled frat party from start to finish with Layne Staley and I raising hell behaving like teenagers staying up for days on end We partook of whatever drugs came our way Heroin cocaine painkillers anything 78 Kurt Cobain s death in April 1994 scared Staley into temporary sobriety but soon he was back into his addiction Alice in Chains managers turned down lucrative touring possibilities and kept the band off the road hoping that would help Staley 11 Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready also tried to help Staley by inviting him to his side project Mad Season 79 80 McCready had hoped that playing with sober musicians would encourage Staley 11 On October 29 1996 Staley s former fiancee Demri Lara Parrott died of a drug overdose 81 82 Staley was placed on a 24 hour suicide watch 11 according to NME which quoted a friend saying Staley was taking Parrott s death extremely badly and had fallen into a deep depression 83 Lanegan told Rolling Stone in 2002 He never recovered from Demri s death After that I don t think he wanted to go on 11 Final years 1997 2002 Edit On February 26 1997 Staley and the other members of Alice in Chains attended the Grammy Awards after the song Again was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance 84 In April of that same year Staley purchased a 1 500 sq ft 140 m2 three bedroom condominium in Seattle s University District via a trust Toby Wright the producer of Alice in Chains third album set up a home recording system for him there 85 In 1998 amid rumors that Staley rarely left his apartment had contracted gangrene and had lost the ability to ingest food and was living on a diet of Ensure Jerry Cantrell told Kerrang that the members of Alice in Chains regularly hung out at Staley s house 11 On June 22 1998 Staley made a phone call to radio program Rockline and gave a rare interview while Cantrell was promoting his first solo album Boggy Depot Staley called the show to talk to Cantrell and stated that he had loved the album 86 In October 1998 Staley re emerged to record two tracks with Alice in Chains Get Born Again and Died which were released on the Music Bank box set in 1999 45 87 Additional reports of Staley s deteriorating condition persisted in the midst of the sessions Dirt producer Dave Jerden originally chosen by the band for the production said Staley weighed 80 pounds and was white as a ghost Studio engineer Elan Trujillo commented that Layne definitely didn t look like how he used to look and noticed Staley had in addition to no teeth atrophy in his legs 88 Cantrell refused to comment on the singer s appearance and band manager Susan Silver said she had not seen him since last year 87 Staley made his final public appearance on October 31 1998 when he attended a Jerry Cantrell solo concert in Seattle He declined Cantrell s request to sing with him on stage A photo taken of Staley backstage at this show is the most recent photo of him that has been publicly released 89 Thereafter Staley was thought to have left behind his self imposed rock amp roll exile when in November 1998 he laid down additional vocal tracks as part of a supergroup called Class of 99 featuring members of Rage Against the Machine Jane s Addiction and Porno for Pyros 71 On July 19 1999 the radio program Rockline was hosting Cantrell Inez and Kinney for a discussion on the release of Nothing Safe Best of the Box when unexpectedly Staley called in to participate This was Staley s last interview 90 From 1999 to 2002 Staley became more reclusive and depressed 91 rarely leaving his Seattle condo little is known about the details of his life during this period Staley was rumored to spend most of his days creating art playing video games or nodding off on drugs 11 Staley s one time roommate and friend Morgen Gallagher later said that around 2001 Staley was going to audition for Audioslave this claim was later debunked by Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello 92 93 Staley s mother Nancy McCallum told The Seattle Times in 2007 that despite his isolation he was never far from the love of his family and friends who filled his answering machine and mailbox with messages and letters Just because he was isolated doesn t mean we didn t have sweet moments with him McCallum has also claimed that she saw Staley on Thanksgiving of 2001 and again just around Valentine s Day of 2002 when he visited his sister s baby This was the last time that McCallum saw her son 19 Sean Kinney has commented on Staley s final years and isolation period It got to a point where he d kept himself so locked up both physically and emotionally I kept trying to make contact Three times a week like clockwork I d call him but he d never answer Every time I was in the area I was up in front of his place yelling for him Even if you could get in his building he wasn t going to open the door You d phone and he wouldn t answer You couldn t just kick the door in and grab him though there were so many times I thought about doing that But if someone won t help themselves what really can anyone else do 11 Staley s physical appearance had become even worse than before he had lost several teeth his skin was sickly pale and he was severely emaciated Close friends such as Matt Fox said If no one heard from him for weeks it wasn t unusual Staley grew increasingly disconnected from his friends and bandmates who repeatedly tried to get him into rehab but Staley refused 94 Staley s close friend Mark Lanegan said He didn t speak to anybody as of late It s been a few months since I talked to him But for us to not talk for a few months is par for the course 95 Death EditOn April 19 2002 Staley s accountants contacted his former manager Susan Silver and informed her that no money had been withdrawn from the singer s bank account in two weeks Silver then contacted Staley s mother Nancy McCallum who placed a call with 911 to say she had not heard from him in about two weeks 96 The police went with McCallum and her ex husband Jim Elmer 18 to Staley s home 20 It was reported that the 6 foot 1 8 m Staley weighed only 86 pounds 39 kg when his body was discovered 97 Staley s body was partially decomposed when he was found Medical examiners had to identify the body by comparing dental records 98 Years later McCallum revealed that two days before Staley s body was found she went to his apartment to let him know about the death of Demri Parrott s brother but there was no answer When she got the phone call to check on her son two days later she was not surprised that Staley had not responded There was some mail by his door Staley owned a cat named Sadie at the time who was usually quiet upon hearing Sadie meow McCallum became worried it was a call of distress Still not receiving an answer from Staley McCallum called 911 20 The autopsy and toxicology report on Staley s body revealed that he died from a mixture of heroin and cocaine known as a speedball 99 The autopsy concluded that Staley died two weeks before his body was found on April 5 the same day fellow grunge musician Kurt Cobain died eight years prior 100 Staley s death was classified as accidental 100 Staley s Alice in Chains bandmates issued the following statement It s good to be with friends and family as we struggle to deal with this immense loss and try to celebrate this immense life We are looking for all the usual things comfort purpose answers something to hold on to a way to let him go in peace Mostly we are feeling heartbroken over the death of our beautiful friend He was a sweet man with a keen sense of humor and a deep sense of humanity He was an amazing musician an inspiration and a comfort to so many He made great music and gifted it to the world We are proud to have known him to be his friend and to create music with him For the past decade Layne struggled greatly we can only hope that he has at last found some peace We love you Layne Dearly And we will miss you endlessly 101 In 2010 in an interview on VH1 s Celebrity Rehab with Staley s mother Nancy McCallum 102 former Alice in Chains bass player Mike Starr said that he was the last person to see Staley alive and had spent time with him the day before his death on Starr s birthday April 4 Starr claimed that Staley was very sick but would not call 911 They briefly argued which ended with Starr storming out Starr stated that Staley called after him as he left and said Not like this don t leave like this 103 Staley died the following day April 5 Starr expressed regret for not calling 911 to save his life and said that Staley had threatened to sever their friendship if he did Starr regreted being high on benzodiazepines that night and having walked out of the door 104 105 The interview ended with Starr apologizing to McCallum for not calling 911 but she was insistent that neither she nor anyone in her family blamed Starr for Staley s death She also told Starr Layne would forgive you He d say Hey I did this Not you Starr still blamed himself for the death of Staley 103 Starr kept this story a secret until his appearance on Celebrity Rehab in February 2010 106 During this same interview McCallum also said that Staley had attempted rehab 13 times although it is not clear whether any of these attempts were during his reclusive years 103 Starr was found dead on March 8 2011 as a result of prescription drug overdose 105 Aftermath Edit An informal memorial was held for Staley on the night of April 20 2002 at the Seattle Center which was attended by at least 100 fans and friends including Alice in Chains bandmates Cantrell Starr Inez and Kinney and Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell 107 108 Staley s body was cremated and a private memorial service was held for him on April 28 2002 on Bainbridge Island in Washington s Puget Sound During her appearance on Celebrity Rehab in 2010 Staley s mother said she has her son s ashes in a box 103 Staley s private memorial was attended by his family and friends along with his Alice in Chains bandmates the band s manager Susan Silver and her then husband Chris Cornell as well as other music personalities Chris Cornell joined by Heart s Ann and Nancy Wilson sang a rendition of The Rolling Stones Wild Horses at the funeral 109 They also performed The Lovemongers song Sand 110 Jerry Cantrell dedicated his solo album Degradation Trip released two months after Staley s death to his memory 111 Cantrell also took in Staley s cat Sadie and he and the family cared for the pet for eight years until Sadie died in 2010 at the age of 18 112 Shortly after Staley s death his parents Nancy McCallum and Phil Staley started receiving donations from fans all over the world Nancy and Phil worked with Seattle s Therapeutic Health Services clinic to create the Layne Staley Memorial Fund to help other heroin addicts and their families in the Seattle music community 113 114 Alice in Chains remained inactive following Staley s death For the next several years the band refused to perform together out of respect for him 65 115 In 2005 Cantrell Kinney and Inez reunited for a benefit concert for victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami with several vocalists filling in for Staley 115 Following positive response the band decided to reunite formally in 2006 Comes with the Fall vocalist William DuVall a member of Cantrell s solo touring band who often sang Staley s parts on the Alice in Chains songs that Cantrell performed was announced to sing Staley s part for the reunion shows 116 In an interview with MTV News Kinney noted that the band would use the reunion concerts to pay tribute to the songs and to Staley 116 The band used to have an intermission to include a five minute filmed tribute to Staley in between sets 117 DuVall has since become Staley s full time replacement in the band contributing to three full length releases Tributes and influence EditBilly Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins stated that Staley had an amazing voice that had such a beautiful sad haunting quality about it He was different because his heaviness was in that voice 101 The song Bleeding The Orchid from The Smashing Pumpkins 2007 album Zeitgeist was indirectly inspired by the death of Staley 118 Cold s song The Day Seattle Died from their 2003 album Year of the Spider was an ode to Staley as well as fellow grunge figurehead Kurt Cobain 119 That same year Staind featured a song called Layne in memory to the singer on their album 14 Shades of Grey 119 In their 2004 album Hangover Music Vol VI Black Label Society also included a tribute to Staley titled Layne 120 Eddie Vedder lead singer of Pearl Jam wrote a song eulogizing Staley titled 4 20 02 the day Vedder heard the news 121 The song featured only Vedder singing and playing the guitar in a ukulele inspired tuning and was released as a hidden track on Pearl Jam s 2003 B sides and rarities album Lost Dogs roughly four minutes and twenty seconds after the conclusion of the final listed song Bee Girl 121 Vedder also paid tribute to Staley during a Pearl Jam concert in Chicago on August 22 2016 which would have been Staley s 49th birthday and dedicated the song Man of the Hour to his late friend 122 Jerry Cantrell said Staley gave him the self assurance to sing 56 33 Layne was really responsible for giving me the confidence to become more of a singer He d say You wrote this song this means something to you sing it He kicked my ass out of the nest Over the years I continued to grow and Layne started to play guitar and we inspired each other 123 Since 2002 Seattle has hosted an annual tribute concert for Staley on his birthday Venues such as the Moore Theatre 124 The Showbox 125 The Fenix 126 and The Crocodile 127 have hosted the event The show proceeds benefit the Layne Staley Memorial Fund 128 Staley ranked at No 27 on Hit Parader magazine s list of Heavy Metal s All Time Top 100 Vocalists published in the November 2006 issue 129 and at No 42 on Complex s magazine list of The 50 Best Lead Singers of All Time in 2012 130 Staley was an inspiration for the title of Metallica s 2008 album Death Magnetic 119 The band recorded a song in tribute to him titled Rebel of Babylon 131 In 2009 Alice in Chains released their first studio album in 14 years Black Gives Way to Blue with Cantrell and then new vocalist and rhythm guitarist William DuVall sharing lead vocals 132 The title track is a tribute to Staley 133 Cantrell invited Elton John to join Alice in Chains and pay tribute to Staley playing the piano in Black Gives Way to Blue 134 the closing song in the album 135 The song was written and sung by Cantrell who described it as the band s goodbye to Staley 136 The first concert that Staley attended was Elton John s and he was blown away by it 135 According to Cantrell the album s cover art featuring a heart surrounded by a black background was inspired by the fact that the members of the band had their hearts broken by losing Staley 137 Staley s former bandmates also thanked him in the album s liner notes 138 On September 6 2011 Hank Williams III released his Attention Deficit Domination album and dedicated it to Staley 139 Staley s Alice in Chains bandmates have stated that one of the saddest aspects of his legacy is to hear him remembered primarily for his drug use rather than the other aspects of his personality 140 123 Kinney and Cantrell have also expressed their frustration over the Grammys ignoring Staley during their annual tribute to the musicians who have died in the past year 141 In 2013 Alice in Chains drummer Sean Kinney added the initials LSMS on his drum kit a tribute to Staley and the band s former bassist Mike Starr who died in 2011 142 143 The music video for Alice in Chains 2013 single Voices features a picture of Staley next to a photo of Nirvana s frontman Kurt Cobain at the 2 20 mark 144 Since Alice in Chains reunited Jerry Cantrell started paying tribute to Staley before performing the song Nutshell 145 Since 2011 Cantrell pays tribute to both Staley and Mike Starr before performing the song at concerts 146 In April 2017 Nancy Wilson revealed that she started writing the song The Dragon for Staley in the 90s The song was recorded in 2016 and is part of the EP of Wilson s new band Roadcase Royale released in 2017 147 148 On Staley s 50th birthday August 22 2017 Alice in Chains released a video paying tribute to him featuring Jerry Cantrell Ann Wilson Mike McCready and Barrett Martin 149 William DuVall revealed that he was thinking about Staley his grandmother and the late Soundgarden lead vocalist Chris Cornell while writing the Alice in Chains song Never Fade from their 2018 album Rainier Fog 150 The album s title track written by Cantrell is partly a tribute to Staley and Mike Starr 151 Layne Staley Day in Seattle Edit On August 22 2019 which would have been Staley s 52nd birthday Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan officially proclaimed that day as Layne Staley Day in the city in honor of Staley s contributions to the world of music The day was also a call to attention to the Layne Staley Memorial Fund established by his parents in 2002 152 Books Edit Two biographies have been written about Staley both authored by Adriana Rubio Layne Staley Angry Chair released in 2003 which contains an alleged final interview of Staley that Rubio claimed to have conducted less than three months before his death 81 and Layne Staley Get Born Again released in 2009 a revised and updated version of her earlier book 153 Staley s family has disputed Rubio s work stating they do not believe she interviewed him in 2002 154 Staley s last interview was for the radio Rockline on July 19 1999 promoting the release of the compilation album Nothing Safe Best of the Box with the other members of Alice in Chains 155 The content of Rubio s book including what she referred to as Staley s final interview was called into question in journalist David De Sola s 2015 book Alice in Chains The Untold Story 81 De Sola questions not only the content of the interview which portrays Staley as using his lyrics in casual conversation it also indicates that Rubio never spoke to him citing her refusal to release the tape with the interview and the fact that not even her publisher had access to the tape 81 One of Staley s sisters Liz Coats likewise doubted the veracity of the book 154 Staley was featured on the books Grunge Is Dead The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music 2009 by Greg Prato 156 and Everybody Loves Our Town An Oral History of Grunge 2011 by Mark Yarm Both books explored the history of grunge in detail and touch upon Alice in Chains and Staley s life and death via interviews with Staley s mother friends and bandmates including Cantrell Kinney Starr and Inez 157 158 In August 2015 journalist David de Sola released the biography Alice in Chains The Untold Story 159 which is mainly focused on Staley and features interviews with his friends and relatives the surviving members of Alice in Chains did not partake in interviews for this book 160 Discography EditAlice in Chains Edit Main article Alice in Chains discography Staley appeared on all Alice in Chains releases from We Die Young up to the song Died later taking part in reissues and compilations containing material from his time in the band Other appearances Edit Other appearances by Layne Staley Title Album details Band NotesDesire Walks On Released November 16 1993 Label Capitol Heart Guest vocals on the song Ring Them Bells Above Released March 14 1995 Label Columbia Mad Season US No 24 161 RIAA Gold 162 Working Class Hero A Tribute to John Lennon Released October 10 1995 Label Hollywood Vocals on I Don t Wanna Be a Soldier L O V Evil Released December 15 1995 Label Red Rocket Second Coming Guest vocals on the song It s Coming After The Faculty Music from the Dimension Motion Picture Released December 8 1998 Label Sony Class of 99 Vocals on Another Brick in the Wall Part 1 Part 2 References Edit Alice in Chains Musicmight Archived from the original on June 10 2009 Retrieved April 5 2018 Goodman William April 4 2013 Pearl Jam s Mike McCready on Powerful Mad Season Reissue I Started Crying Fuse tv Archived from the original on May 17 2013 Retrieved February 24 2019 Martin Popoff May 30 2013 ALICE IN CHAINS It s Not Like We re Trying To Recapture Dirt We Already Made That Fucking Record Brave Words amp Bloody Knuckles Retrieved April 5 2018 a b de Sola David April 5 2012 How Alice in Chains Found the Most Memorable Voice in Grunge The Atlantic Retrieved April 4 2012 Hyden Steven November 1 2011 Part 7 1996 Layne Staley and Bradley Nowell are the Living Dead The A V Club Retrieved February 27 2016 Newly Unearthed Alice In Chains Footage Shows Band In Its Glam Metal Days Metal Injection February 25 2015 Retrieved February 27 2016 de Sola David August 4 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Thomas Dunne Books p 7 ISBN 978 1250048073 a b de Sola David July 22 2017 The Origin of Layne Staley s Middle Name DavidDeSola com Retrieved August 17 2017 a b Huey Steve Man in the Box Allmusic Retrieved February 27 2009 a b c Billboard charts Billboard charts Retrieved February 14 2008 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Cross Charles R June 6 2002 The Last Days of Layne Staley Rolling Stone No 897 p 21 Archived from the original on April 19 2018 a b de Sola David August 4 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Thomas Dunne Books p 218 ISBN 978 1250048073 a b Rock Singer Lay Dead for Two Weeks Seattle Post Intelligencer April 22 2002 Archived from the original on February 7 2010 Retrieved August 21 2007 a b 20 Years Ago Layne Staley Performs One of His Final Shows With Alice In Chains for Unplugged Diffuser April 10 2016 Retrieved July 22 2017 GRAMMY Award Results for Layne Staley Grammy com November 23 2020 Retrieved October 31 2021 De Sola David 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Thomas Dunne Books p 7 ISBN 978 1250048073 a b c Layne Staley s legacy through his mother s eyes Northwest Music Scene July 20 2017 Retrieved April 5 2018 a b de Sola David July 2 2017 Jim Elmer Remembered DavidDeSola com Retrieved August 17 2017 a b Scanlon Tom August 24 2007 Alice in Chains singer s legacy lives on through music The Seattle Times Archived from the original on October 10 2015 Retrieved April 5 2018 a b c Interview Layne Staley s Mom Nancy Mccallum Talks Layne s Childhood Unreleased Music amp Final Days Alternative Nation August 3 2015 Archived from the original on May 10 2016 Retrieved August 4 2017 a b c Wiederhorn Jon February 8 1996 Alice in Chains To Hell and Back Rolling Stone Retrieved February 23 2017 McFarlane Ian 1991 Alice in Chains Love Sex Pain And Suffering Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine Alice in Chains Nothing Safe Rockline Interview Jul 19 1999 YouTube Retrieved August 22 2017 a b Jake Brown Alice in Chains SCB Distributors 2010 a b c Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine Alice In Chains 10 28 93 Layne Staley Guest Programming Rage YouTube Retrieved May 4 2018 Diamond King King Diamond pictures Chips amp Beer Magazine 2 Archived from the original on November 13 2013 Retrieved November 13 2013 Layne Staley s 80s Glam Metal Hair Band Sleze Feel Numb March 4 2010 Retrieved July 22 2017 a b c d Music Bank Media notes Alice in Chainz Columbia Records 1999 69580 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link de Sola David August 4 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Thomas Dunne Books p 22 ISBN 978 1250048073 Greg Prato April 1 2009 Grunge Is Dead The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music ECW Press pp 211 ISBN 978 1 55490 347 4 Layne Staley Interview Alice in Chains 1996 part 1 of 2 YouTube Retrieved July 17 2017 Sola David de August 4 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story by David de Sola ISBN 9781466848399 Retrieved April 5 2018 a b Intimate interview with Alice in Chains YouTube April 20 2017 Archived from the original on May 20 2019 Retrieved July 17 2017 a b c d e f g h Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine Interview Alice in Chains Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney about Layne Staley YouTube January 12 2010 Retrieved July 8 2017 a b c d e Jeffrey Ressner November 28 1992 Alice in Chains Through the Looking Glass Rolling Stone Retrieved August 18 2017 a b c Layne Staley Interview Alice in Chains 1996 part 1 of 2 YouTube Retrieved August 18 2017 Diamond Lie Press Kit Retrieved July 8 2017 Interview Jerry Cantrell Discusses Alice in Chain s 2009 Comeback Black Gives Way to Blue Guitar World January 10 2013 Retrieved August 18 2017 Kleidermacher Mordechai July 1990 Link With Brutality Circus de Sola David August 4 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Thomas Dunne Books p 79 ISBN 978 1250048073 de Sola David August 4 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Thomas Dunne Books pp 109 110 113 ISBN 978 1250048073 de Sola David August 4 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Thomas Dunne Books p 110 ISBN 978 1250048073 Sweet Alice Metal archives com Archived from the original on July 24 2009 Retrieved August 17 2011 American album certifications Alice in Chains Facelift Recording Industry Association of America Retrieved August 17 2017 a b c Alice in Chains Timeline SonyMusic com Archived from the original on October 7 1999 Retrieved April 10 2018 Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine Alice In Chains Would amp It Ain t Like That Singles Pro Shot YouTube June 27 2015 Retrieved May 27 2018 a b RIAA Searchable database Gold and Platinum Recording Industry Association of America Retrieved January 3 2008 Alice in Chains Dirt Discogs Retrieved April 5 2018 Alice in Chains The Untold Story reveals the drug addicted history of one of the greatest grunge bands book review New York Daily News August 1 2015 Archived from the original on January 30 2018 Five Years Ago Former Alice in Chains Bassist Mike Starr Dies of a Drug Overdose Diffuser March 8 2016 D Angelo Joe April 20 2002 Layne Staley Alice in Chains Singer Dead at 34 VH1 Archived from the original on December 6 2007 Retrieved November 25 2007 Songs written by Layne Staley Warner Chappell Music Retrieved April 4 2018 Alice in Chains Dirt CD Album Discogs Retrieved July 22 2017 The Setlist Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains Guitar World September 23 2008 Retrieved July 22 2017 Bienstock Richard June 18 2013 Jerry Cantrell Tells How Alice in Chains Buried Their Past with The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here Guitar World Retrieved August 10 2017 a b Liner notes Music Bank box set 1999 de Sola David August 4 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Thomas Dunne Books p 221 ISBN 978 1250048073 Gilbert Jeff April 1995 ALIVE Pearl Jam s Mike McCready Says Goodbye To Drugs and Alcohol And Is a Better Man For It Guitar World Archived from the original on July 30 2012 Retrieved May 18 2009 de Sola David August 4 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Thomas Dunne Books pp 221 222 ISBN 978 1250048073 Gaar Gillian G Radio Free Vedder Rolling Stone February 23 1995 Mad Season Treat Live at the Moore to 20th Anniversary Vinyl Release Exclaim July 10 2015 Retrieved May 4 2018 Alice in Chains Chart history Billboard 200 Billboard January 22 2015 Retrieved April 5 2018 Alice in Chains Alice in Chains Discogs Retrieved April 5 2018 Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine Alice in Chains The Nona Tapes YouTube Retrieved April 5 2018 a b Michael Christopher December 26 2002 Degradation Trip An interview with Jerry Cantrell PopMatters Archived from the original on October 24 2014 Retrieved December 11 2017 Alice in Chains Concert Chronology MTV Unplugged Session John Bacus Archived from the original on December 11 2007 Retrieved July 22 2017 Heart s Ann Wilson Still a Fanatic Houston Press September 4 2012 Retrieved April 4 2018 Second Coming L O V Evil AllMusic Retrieved April 4 2018 Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine Second Coming w Layne Staley It s Coming After YouTube January 2 2007 Retrieved April 4 2018 a b c Layne Staley Songs in Grassroots Film Have Previously Surfaced Loudwire June 18 2012 Retrieved April 4 2018 a b c Just Another Bombtrack Layne Staley Tom Morello and Stephen Perkins group to cover Another Brick in the Wall Pt 2 for film soundtrack Rolling Stone November 25 1998 Archived from the original on December 6 2006 de Sola David August 4 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Thomas Dunne Books pp 277 278 279 ISBN 978 1250048073 Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine Class of 99 Another Brick In The Wall Pt 2 Featuring Layne Staley amp Tom Morello YouTube Retrieved May 4 2018 de Sola David August 4 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Thomas Dunne Books p 279 ISBN 978 1250048073 Grassroots 2012 Soundtrack Net Retrieved April 4 2018 de Sola David August 4 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Thomas Dunne Books p 187 ISBN 978 1250048073 de Sola David August 4 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Thomas Dunne Books p 198 ISBN 978 1250048073 Leatham Thomas October 8 2022 Mark Lanegan on touring with Alice in Chains and partying with Layne Staley Far Out Retrieved October 30 2022 Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine Mike McCready tried to help Layne Staley and John Baker Saunders with Mad Season YouTube August 2 2017 Retrieved May 4 2018 I Don t Wanna Be a Soldier An Interview with Pearl Jam s Mike McCready PopMatters April 2 2013 Retrieved May 4 2018 a b c d David de Sola December 16 2011 Setting the Alice in Chains Record Straight Retrieved July 18 2017 Obituaries Oct 31st 1996 Kitsap Sun October 31 1996 Retrieved April 4 2018 Wiederhorn Jon April 6 2004 Remembering Layne Staley The Other Great Seattle Musician To Die On April 5 VH1 Archived from the original on June 26 2008 Retrieved December 22 2007 Men in a Box With nothing new on tap Alice in Chains drums up the past Rolling Stone January 29 1997 Archived from the original on March 23 2010 Retrieved April 5 2018 Alice In Chains The Untold Story Layne Staley s Final Gloomy Days as the Frontman of Seattle s Grunge Legends Guitar World August 11 2015 Jerry Cantrell amp Layne Staley on Rockline June 22 1998 YouTube Archived from the original on December 11 2021 a b Fischer Blair R September 3 1998 Malice in Chains Rolling Stone Archived from the original on November 3 2008 Coffman Tim October 9 2022 The Sad Story of Layne Staley s Last Alice in Chains Studio Session The Pit Retrieved October 30 2022 de Sola David August 4 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Thomas Dunne Books p 280 ISBN 978 1250048073 Alice in Chains Final National Radio Appearance With Whole Band To Re Air Next Week Blabbermouth net Roadrunnerrecords com September 2 2005 Archived from the original on November 4 2009 Retrieved July 28 2014 de Sola David August 4 2015 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Thomas Dunne Books p 217 ISBN 978 1250048073 The Story Behind the Story Was Layne Staley Going to Audition for Audioslave daviddesola com June 6 2017 Retrieved April 5 2018 Tom Morello s response Twitter August 5 2015 Kearny Pat August 2002 We Left Him Alone Blender Archived from the original on November 23 2005 Retrieved August 10 2017 Mark Lanegan on Layne Staley s Death I Always Hoped It Wouldn t Happen Top40 Charts com April 23 2002 Retrieved July 28 2014 Alice in Chains Singer s Death The Smoking Gun April 19 2002 Retrieved July 22 2017 Anderson Rick October 9 2006 Seattle News and Events Smack Is Back Seattleweekly com Retrieved July 28 2014 Body found in rock singer s home in Seattle CNN April 20 2002 Retrieved July 31 2017 Candace Heckman May 6 2002 Staley s death was from mix of heroin and cocaine Seattle Post Intelligencer Retrieved August 18 2017 a b Layne Staley Died From Mix of Heroin Cocaine Report Says MTV May 7 2002 Retrieved June 14 2017 a b An Angry Angel Layne Staley Remembered By Bandmates Friends MTV News April 22 2002 Retrieved April 5 2018 Ex ALICE IN CHAINS Bassist Talks About Death of His Best Friend LAYNE STALEY Video Available Blabbermouth February 17 2010 Retrieved August 22 2019 a b c d Mike Starr Layne Staley Death Alice in Chains Celebrity Rehab Sober House CONFUSION AIC February 22 2010 Retrieved August 22 2019 Alice in Chains Bassist Mike Starr Dies at 44 Rolling Stone March 9 2011 Retrieved August 22 2019 a b Former Alice in Chains rocker Mike Starr dies Reuters March 8 2011 Retrieved August 22 2019 Family Weekend Season 3 Ep 7 VH1 February 18 2010 Retrieved August 22 2019 Jerry Cantrell Chris Cornell Others Make Appearance at Seattle Memorial For Layne Staley Roadrunnerrecords com April 21 2002 Archived from the original on June 27 2002 Retrieved July 28 2014 Fans gather to mourn troubled grunge singer Layne Staley dead at 34 Seattle Times April 21 2002 Retrieved July 7 2017 We Die Young A Tribute to Layne Staley Guitar World April 5 2012 Retrieved July 22 2017 Heart With Alice in Chains Dave Navarro Duff Mckagan Performing Barracuda Promo Dailymotion August 12 2015 Retrieved August 12 2015 Well Worth The Trip Roadrunner Records UK December 24 2002 Archived from the original on January 19 2008 Retrieved December 7 2007 Layne Staley s cat Sadie Supurrb Layne Staley Memorial Fund Summer 2011 Newsletter PDF Therapeutic Health Services Retrieved April 5 2018 Layne Staley Memorial Fund Therapeutic Health Services Retrieved April 5 2018 a b Hay Travis February 21 2005 Alice in Chains owns stage in tsunami relief show full of surprises Seattle Post Intelligencer Retrieved November 25 2007 a b Harris Chris February 23 2006 Remaining Alice in Chains Members Reuniting MTV News Retrieved August 22 2019 Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine Layne Staley Tribute Video Features Rare Footage YouTube Retrieved June 24 2017 Corgan Talks New Pumpkins Art Inspirations Friday Morning Quarterback July 6 2007 Archived from the original on July 8 2007 Retrieved September 26 2018 a b c Top 10 Songs About Alice in Chains Layne Staley Loudwire com Retrieved July 28 2014 Hangover Music Vol VI Black Label Society AllMusic Retrieved May 13 2020 a b Cohen Jonathan The Pearl Jam Q amp A Lost Dogs Billboard Archived from the original on March 17 2005 Retrieved March 17 2005 Watch Eddie Vedder s Heartbreaking Tribute To Layne Staley During Pearl Jam s US Show Music Feeds August 26 2016 Retrieved August 23 2019 a b Interview Jerry Cantrell Discusses Alice in Chain s 2009 Comeback Black Gives Way to Blue Guitar World January 10 2013 Retrieved July 15 2017 Concert Review Layne Staley Tribute creates magical experience for Moore Theatre crowd NorthWest Music Scene August 20 2017 Retrieved April 5 2018 LAYNE STALEY Eighth Annual Tribute amp Benefit Concert Announced Blabbermouth July 11 2009 Retrieved April 5 2018 Sixth Annual LAYNE STALEY Tribute And Benefit Concert To Be Held in August Blabbermouth May 30 2007 Retrieved April 5 2018 Layne Staley Tribute Show Set for August 22 at The Crocodile NorthWest Music Scene August 17 2015 Archived from the original on December 5 2017 Retrieved April 5 2018 SOULBENDER Confirmed For Seattle s LAYNE STALEY TRIBUTE CONCERT Blabbermouth August 21 2002 Retrieved April 5 2018 ROB HALFORD ROBERT PLANT BON SCOTT OZZY Are Among Heavy Metal s All Time Top 100 Vocalists Blabbermouth December 1 2006 Martin Andrew November 15 2012 The 50 Best Lead Singers of All Time Complex Metallica Metal Machines Louder Faster Stronger Rolling Stone October 2008 pp 58 67 Alice in Chains Black Gives Way to Blue Consequence of Sound September 29 2009 Retrieved August 22 2017 Goodman Dean July 15 2009 Alice in Chains previews new album in Los Angeles Reuters Archived from the original on December 30 2013 Retrieved April 5 2018 Black Gives Way to Blue Alice in Chains Tribute to Layne Staley Live at Later with Jools Holland in 2009 Retrieved August 22 2017 permanent dead link a b Q amp A Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains Spin August 21 2009 Retrieved June 17 2017 Jerry Cantrell recalls Alice in Chains goodbye to Layne Staley Metal Hammer July 16 2017 Retrieved June 17 2017 Alice in Chains Black and Blue YouTube Billboard October 21 2009 Retrieved April 5 2018 Liner notes Black Gives Way to Blue Virgin EMI 2009 Q amp A with Hank 3 We Love DC Archived from the original on March 15 2012 Retrieved April 19 2018 Alice in Chains Black and Blue YouTube Billboard October 21 2009 Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney on Layne Staley being snubbed by the Grammys YouTube Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine WMMR MMRBQ 2013 Alice in Chains Interview YouTube March 5 2015 Retrieved August 23 2019 Alice in Chains Always Remember Original Members Layne Staley amp Mike Starr Feel Numb January 11 2015 Retrieved July 17 2017 Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine Alice in Chains Voices YouTube September 5 2013 Retrieved August 23 2019 Alice in Chains Nutshell Live SWU 2011 Brasil YouTube Archived from the original on November 15 2011 Retrieved August 23 2019 Jerry Cantrell Remembers Pantera s Vinnie Paul He Lived His Life Unapologetically Rolling Stone June 27 2018 Retrieved August 23 2019 Heart Can Ann and Nancy Wilson Go on After Family Assault Rolling Stone April 10 2017 Heart s Nancy Wilson Explains the Beautiful Collusion of Roadcase Royale Exclusive Interview Ultimate Classic Rock May 30 2017 Alice in Chains Pay Tribute to Layne Staley on His 50th Birthday Loudwire April 5 2018 Retrieved August 22 2017 Hickie James August 23 2018 Alice In Chains Address The Ghosts Of Their Past And Plot A Glorious Future Kerrang Nick Hasted August 2018 No Excuses Classic Rock No 252 pp 62 63 Headley Janice August 22 2019 Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan Proclaims August 22 2019 as Layne Staley Day KEXP Alice in Chains Layne Staley Biography Used By Social Workers And Drug Counselors Roadrunnerrecords com September 3 2006 Archived from the original on February 28 2007 Retrieved July 28 2014 a b Statement from Liz Coats David DeSola January 2 2012 Retrieved May 18 2017 ALICE IN CHAINS Final National Radio Appearance With Whole Band To Re Air Next Week September 2 2005 Retrieved April 5 2018 Grunge Is Dead An Interview with Greg Prato UGO Entertainment April 29 2009 Archived from the original on July 1 2011 Retrieved August 23 2019 Prato Greg December 15 2010 Grunge Is Dead The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music ISBN 9781554903474 Retrieved April 5 2018 Everybody Loves Our Town Pitchfork January 25 2012 Retrieved August 23 2019 Alice in Chains The Untold Story daviddesola com Archived from the original on August 22 2018 Retrieved August 23 2018 Alice in Chains The Untold Story Entire First Chapter Posted Online Blabbermouth August 2 2015 Retrieved August 23 2019 Billboard 200 Week of April 1 1995 Billboard Retrieved October 2 2022 American certifications Mad Season Above Recording Industry Association of America Retrieved October 2 2022 External links EditLayne Staley at Wikipedia s sister projects Media from Commons Quotations from Wikiquote Data from Wikidata Official website Alice In Chains Official Site Layne Staley discography at Discogs Layne Staley at AllMusic Layne Staley at IMDb Archive Seattle Police incident report at The Smoking Gun Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Layne Staley amp oldid 1123745264, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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