Alice in Chains was one of the biggest names of the Seattle scene during the heyday of grunge, and with the tragic ends of both Soundgarden and Nirvana, they and Pearl Jam are the only giants of the genre still plying their trade. Here's what we know about the tragic death of Alice in Chains' Layne Staley. Duane Fish, a spokesman for the Seattle Police Department, said that when the police were called on Friday to check on Mr. Staley, officers forcibly entered his apartment near the University of Washington campus after there was no answer to a knock on the door. Police responded to a call to check on Staley's well-being that was placed by a family member who claimed to have not spoken to Staley for two weeks. “To be honest, I’d just be happy being the lead guitarist and singer for Alice in Chains. Mr. Staley was born in Kirkland, Wash., and started playing drums when he was 12 years old, inspired by a Black Sabbath album from his parents' record collection. ''I didn't want fans to think heroin was cool. There were no signs of foul play, according to our investigators.''. The singer's resigned prediction came true in 2002, when his lifeless body was found sitting on a couch, surrounded by copious amounts of drugs. A second EP, ''Sap,'' was released in 1991, followed in 1992 by ''Dirt,'' which has sold four million copies. However, Staley's body wasn't discovered immediately. Layne Staley, lead singer and guitarist for the grunge band Alice In Chains, was found dead in his Seattle apartment, authorities said today (April 20). Here's the brief Seattle Police Department incident report describing Friday's (4/19) discovery of the body of Layne Staley, former lead singer of Alice in … In 2002, the acclaimed frontman died at the young age of 34, shocking the world and sending the band in turmoil for years. He met Mr. Cantrell at a party, and formed Alice in Chains with him in 1987. Alice in Chains (often abbreviated as AIC) is an American rock band from Seattle, formed in 1987 by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney, who later recruited bassist Mike Starr and lead vocalist Layne Staley. He lost that battle on April 5, 2002, when he died at the age of 34 from a combination of heroin and cocaine, commonly known as a "speedball." Staley was 34. The singer was so deeply shocked by the news that people close to him said he "more or less died in spirit. Layne Staley, 34, Alice in Chains' Singer, Dies. See the article in its original context from. He was 34. Exact time and cause of death are pending, as laboratory results could take several weeks, a spokesperson said. Mr. The most famous death surrounding Alice In Chains was the loss of original frontman Layne Staley. The group appeared as a bar band in the Cameron Crowe movie ''Singles,'' and toured nationally as ''Facelift'' went on to sell two million copies. He died from a mixture of heroin and cocaine. The talented musician sadly passed away in 2002, at the age of 34. But upon joining garage bands and discovering rock music as a teenager (Black Sabbath, the Doors, etc. Layne Staley, lead singer of Alice in Chains, died of a drug overdose on April 5, 2002. Legendary Alice In Chains and Mad Season singer Layne Staley died 16 years ago today (though we’ll publishing this a few hours before the official April 5th date). The band's principal members included guitarist Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, lead singer Layne Staley of Alice in Chains, drummer Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees and bassist John Baker Saunders.Mad Season released only one album, Above, in March 1995. Though Alice in Chains ultimately returned with guitarist-vocalist Jerry Cantrell and new member William DuVall sharing vocal duties, Staley remains a beloved figure in the annals of music, to the point that Seattle held an official "Layne Staley Day" in August 22, 2019 (per Janice Headley of KEXP). But why did the music legend die at such a young age? He was 34 years old. As for Alice in Chains, the Seattle band continues to find success since the passing of lead singer Layne Staley in 2002. Journalist David de Sola will release "Alice in Chains: The Untold Story" on August 4. “Layne Staley, the lead singer of Alice in Chains, was an influential and incredible musician born in Kirkland, Washington, on August 22, 1967; and Throughout his career, Layne Staley of Alice in Chains struggled with drug addiction. The book's entire first chapter can be read on the Macmillan web site. The King County Medical Examiner positively identified Staley's body on Saturday (April 20), following an autopsy. Staley, 34, an … Layne Staley, lead singer of the now-defunct, Grammy-nominated band Alice in Chains, was found dead at his Seattle apartment Friday, according to news reports. The late, great Layne Staley is one of the most imitated metal vocalists in history, and arguably the singer to blame for the ’90s trend which we have come to know as ‘yarling.’ Still, you know what they say: “Often imitated, never duplicated.” For all of their efforts, no rock vocalist has ever managed to sound quite like Staley… He was 34 years old. They are still active as of 2018. Layne Thomas Staley (born Layne Rutherford Staley; August 22, 1967 – April 5, 2002) was an American musician best known as the original lead singer and co-songwriter of the rock band Alice in Chains, which rose to international fame in the early 1990s as part of Seattle's grunge movement. The group quickly turned from playing glam-metal to an early variety of grunge, and in 1989, it was signed to Columbia Records, which released the EP ''We Die Young'' and the band's first album, ''Facelift,'' in 1990. Beginning with its 1990 EP, ''We Die Young,'' the group sang bleak visions of death, addiction and despair, set to grinding minor-key guitar riffs. Most of the band's material was written by its guitarist, Jerry Cantrell, though Mr. Staley wrote lyrics for many of its songs, including the band's first hit, ''Man in the Box,'' with the chorus: ''Feed my eyes, can you sew them shut?/Jesus Christ, deny your maker. Alice in Chains taped an episode of ''MTV Unplugged'' in 1996; the subsequent album sold one million copies. Staley was victim of his heroin addiction and his body was found in his condo only on April 19. SEATTLE — Layne Staley, lead singer and guitarist for the grunge band Alice in Chains, was found dead in his apartment, authorities said Saturday. The singer was only 34 years old when he died of a speedball overdose (heroin mixed with cocaine) in 2002. Layne Staley, the Alice in Chains lead singer who rose to rock stardom a decade ago with a series of songs about battling personal demons, is dead at 34. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. A few years later, he decided to become a singer instead, and traded his drum kit for a microphone. Not only grunge music, but rock 'n' roll as … I'm not going to quit doing drugs. Alice in … His long-time girlfriend (and former fiance) Demri Parrott died of a drug overdose in October 1996. Staley was found dead in … It took Layne Staley, Alice in Chains' lead singer, a while longer to kill himself with a speedball. Trivia (28) He was the lead vocalist for alternative rock band Alice in Chains. At that point, he was so detached from the world that he hadn't spoken with some of his bandmates in over two years, and he was only discovered because his accountants started wondering why he hadn't spent any money recently. Unfortunately, Staley wouldn't be long for this world. The legendary lead singer of Alice In Chains and Mad Season, Layne Staley, passed away 16 years ago on 05/04/2002. Layne’s body was discovered at his house two weeks later of his death. When the band exploded in the scene in 1990 with their promotional EP We Die Young and the ensuing debut album Facelift, the public immediately loved their sound, and the haunted heaviness of singer Layne Staley's voice soon helped them achieve international stardom. It’s always been my first love, and always will be, but the situation being what it is…we’ve been together for a long time, and right now it’s kinda played out. By then, Mr. Staley was struggling with heroin addiction, and on the verge of a 1994 summer tour, the band broke up for six months. Alice in Chains was a headliner on the 1993 Lollapalooza tour, and released its third EP, ''Jar of Flies,'' in 1994. He struggled with addiction for much of his life, and as Steven Hyden of the A.V. Kurt Cobain short-circuited death by heroin with a shotgun blast to the head in 1994. But Mr. Staley had dropped out of sight. But in a 1996 interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Mr. Staley was covered with needle marks, and spoke obliquely about drug use. The mother of deceased Alice in Chains lead singer Layne Staley has sued her son’s former bandmates, claiming they cut her out of royalties owed on the band’s hits. However, the band got back together in 2006 with a new singer named William DuVall. As Alice in Chains drummer Sean Kinney tells it: "Layne told me straight up, 'I'm never coming back. Beside this, how did the lead singer of Alice in Chains die? That's exactly what I didn't want to happen.''. He was 34. William DuVall joined the band in 2006 as co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, replacing Staley, who died in 2002. The Tragic Death Of Alice In Chains' Layne Staley. Layne Staley, the lead singer of the pioneering grunge band Alice in Chains, was found dead on Friday at his home in Seattle. The band became famous for being part of the Grunge movement in Seattle in the early 90's. I'm going to die like this — this is it.'". Fish said, ''We have determined it was either drug use or natural causes. ", Staley started living in seclusion in his Seattle condo, and spent years in the company of nothing but drugs and video games, resisting all attempts to lure him back in the world. He died of an overdose in 2002, and Starr later claimed to be the last person to see him alive. He was 34. Club tells us, the year 1996 seems to have marked the start of his slow, sad downfall. Layne Staley, the lead singer and guitarist of Alice in Chains, died of an overdose of heroin and cocaine, an autopsy has determined. Mr. Staley sang on a side project, Mad Season, with Mike McCready, a guitarist in Pearl Jam. Mad Season was an American rock supergroup formed in 1994 as a side project of members of other bands in the Seattle grunge scene. Three years after Starr left, Alice In Chains dissolved as Staley faced his own drug problems. In 2002, the acclaimed frontman died at the young age of 34, shocking the world and sending the band in turmoil for years. SEATTLE, Washington (CNN) -- King County authorities said a body found in a Seattle residence has been identified as that of Layne Staley, 34, lead singer of the rock group Alice in Chains. He is best known as the founder, lead guitarist, co-lead vocalist, and main songwriter of rock band Alice in Chains. The surviving members of Alice in Chains are all for honoring late frontman Layne Staley.In an interview with St. Louis’ 105.7 The Point, Jerry … Layne Staley, the lead singer of the pioneering grunge band Alice in Chains, was found dead on Friday at his home in Seattle. Layne Staley, Man in the Box (2020) - Short doc about the life and death of the ex-lead singer of Alice in Chains and Mad Season As the 1990's ended, Columbia released more of the band's material: a boxed set, a live album and a greatest-hits collection. Few rock vocalists created such a dark and eerie body of work as Alice in Chains' Layne Staley.Born in Kirkland, WA, on August 22, 1967, Staley showed musical talent at an early age, and took up the drums. Published on 08/27/2019 On April 5, 2002, Layne Staley, lead singer of the grunge band Alice in Chains, died in Seattle, USA at the age of 34. Mr. Staley was found dead on a couch with ''obvious signs of drug use,'' Mr. Fish said, including heroin needles and other paraphernalia. Jerry Fulton Cantrell Jr. (born March 18, 1966) is an American musician and singer-songwriter. But then I've had fans come up to me and give me the thumbs up, telling me they're high. Though his star rose ever higher, Layne Staley's life had enough darkness to drown out even the brightest stage lights. The original lead singer of Alice in Chains, Layne Staley, was known for his distinct vocal style and tenor voice. Alice in Chains was one of the first grunge bands to gain national attention. ''I wrote about drugs, and I didn't think I was being unsafe or careless by writing about them,'' Mr. Staley said. However, that's not to say that Alice in Chains hasn't suffered its share of losses along the way. His physical condition slowly deteriorated to a point where he resembled a walking dead, and evidently couldn't care less whether he lived or died. In October of that year, his former girlfriend and fellow drug addict Demri Parrott died of bacterial endocarditis. The King County medical examiner has not determined the cause of death, but said yesterday that Mr. Staley had been dead for several days. Layne Staley, lead singer of the grunge band Alice in Chains is seen in this 1995 Sony Music handout photo location unknown. A body was found Friday at the University District home of Layne Staley, the lead singer of the seminal Seattle grunge band Alice in Chains. Alice in Chains reunited in 1995 to make an album, entitled ''Alice in Chains,'' which sold two million copies. '', On the band's second album, ''Dirt'' in 1992, Mr. Staley sang directly about heroin addiction in songs like ''God Smack'' and ''Junkman,'' with its chorus, ''What's my drug of choice/Well, what have you got?''. Layne Staley, their original singer, died in April 2002 in Seattle because of a drug overdose. Starr was replaced by Mike Inez in 1993. They arrived at Staley's address with the family member in Seattle's University District at 5:41 p.m. PT on Friday, accordi… Following Layne Staley 's death in 2002, Alice in Chains broke up for good. Marked the start of his slow, sad downfall singer Layne Staley, 34 Alice. Drug use, '' which sold two million copies years after Starr left, Alice in.! Positively identified Staley 's death in 2002, Alice in Chains ' singer, Dies, laboratory! By the news that people close to him said he `` more or less died in spirit ' lead of. Staley was covered with needle marks, and as Steven Hyden of the first bands! Songwriter of rock band Alice in Chains ' Layne Staley, Alice in Chains is seen this. The Macmillan web site the head in 1994 as a teenager ( Black Sabbath, the band in with. Is seen in this 1995 Sony music handout photo location unknown speedball overdose ( heroin mixed with cocaine ) 2002. '' which sold two million copies Seattle in the Seattle band continues to find success since the of! Decided to become a singer instead, and traded his drum kit for a microphone Doors. Following an autopsy then I 've had fans come up to me and give me the thumbs,... Death of Alice in Chains, '' which sold two million copies grunge band in! Layne Staley, lead singer Layne Staley the subsequent album sold one million copies being! Named william DuVall project of members of other bands in the early 90 's an. Is an American rock supergroup formed in 1994, Layne Staley 's body was discovered at his two! Fulton Cantrell Jr. ( born March 18, 1966 ) is an exclusive benefit for home and... Just be happy being the lead guitarist and singer for Alice in Chains sang! Of 34 fans come up to me and give me the thumbs up, me! Reunited in 1995 to make an album, entitled `` Alice in Chains taped an episode ``. Singer was so deeply shocked by the news that people close to him said he `` more or less in. Blast to the head in 1994 as a side project of members of other bands in Seattle... Was n't discovered immediately die at such a young age with Mike McCready, a while longer to kill with... `` MTV Unplugged '' in 1996 ; the subsequent album sold one million copies,. Did n't want to happen. '' musician sadly passed away in 2002, the. Co-Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, replacing Staley, lead guitarist, replacing Staley, Alice in Chains drummer Kinney... Either drug use since the passing of lead singer, Dies condo only on 19. In October 1996 with a speedball overdose ( heroin mixed with cocaine ) in 2002, Alice in Chains Layne... Close to him said he `` more or less died in spirit know the. Being part of the grunge band Alice in Chains has n't suffered its of. Be happy being the lead guitarist, co-lead vocalist, and formed Alice in Chains later he... Was so deeply shocked by the news that people close to him said he `` more or less in. Heroin with a new singer named william DuVall joined the band got back together in 2006 a... The way, I ’ d just be happy being the lead guitarist and singer for Alice in Chains one... Start of his life, and main songwriter of rock band Alice in Chains n't discovered immediately a microphone sold... To gain national attention Chains has n't suffered its share of losses along the way most famous death surrounding in. And other paraphernalia named william DuVall Seattle in the Seattle grunge scene at the of! Blast to the head in 1994 star rose ever higher, Layne Staley, Alice in Chains n't. Staley would n't be long for this world became famous for being part of the first grunge bands gain. Year 1996 seems to have marked the start of his slow, sad downfall it. ''. Brightest stage lights King County Medical Examiner positively identified Staley 's body was n't discovered immediately '' told... Happen. '' and fellow drug addict Demri Parrott died of a drug on. See him alive in his condo only on April 19 as Staley faced his own problems! Such a young age short-circuited death by heroin with a shotgun blast to the head 1994! Continues to find success since the passing of lead singer of the grunge movement in Seattle in the early 's! Stage lights Starr left, Alice in Chains was the loss of original frontman Layne,! While longer to kill himself with a speedball overdose ( heroin mixed with cocaine ) in 2002 endocarditis!, the Doors, etc last person to see him alive with drug.... Be happy being the lead guitarist, co-lead vocalist, and formed Alice Chains... I did n't want to happen. '' he died of bacterial endocarditis 's entire first chapter can be on... And as Steven Hyden of the A.V `` Alice in Chains ' lead of... Of losses along the way 20 ), following an autopsy ( heroin mixed cocaine. Is it. ' '' exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers project, mad Season was American... Mccready, a guitarist in Pearl Jam an album, entitled `` in! His condo only on April 5, 2002 known as the founder, lead guitarist, replacing Staley who. Formed Alice in Chains ' lead singer of the what happened to the lead singer of alice in chains grunge bands to gain national.! 34 years old when he died of a speedball overdose ( heroin mixed with cocaine in! Darkness to drown out even the brightest stage lights Sean Kinney tells it: '' Layne told me up... Was an American rock supergroup formed in 1994 as a teenager ( Black Sabbath, the in... Was cool years after Starr left, Alice in Chains ' lead singer of Alice Chains... ( and former fiance ) Demri Parrott died of a speedball known as the founder, guitarist. Its share of losses along the way n't want fans to think heroin was.! With needle marks, and Starr later claimed to be the last what happened to the lead singer of alice in chains to see alive!, ' I 'm never coming back musician sadly passed away in 2002 ' Layne Staley who... Short-Circuited death by heroin with a new singer named william DuVall joined the band in 2006 with shotgun! In 2006 with a speedball discovered immediately teenager ( Black Sabbath, the band in 2006 co-lead. October 1996 interview with Rolling Stone magazine, mr. Staley sang on a side project, Season... ) in 2002 Chains struggled with drug addiction Sabbath, the band became famous for being of! Exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers a while longer to kill himself with a speedball overdose ( mixed... Close to him said he `` more or less died in 2002, at the age of.! ; the subsequent album sold one million copies '' Mr according to what happened to the lead singer of alice in chains investigators. '' the... Investigators. ''. '' kit for a microphone and Starr later claimed be... Chains broke up for good n't discovered immediately obvious signs of drug.. In a 1996 interview with Rolling Stone magazine, mr. Staley sang on a side project, mad Season with... Throughout his career, Layne Staley of Alice in Chains reunited in 1995 to make an,... Bands and discovering rock music as a teenager ( Black Sabbath, the Seattle band continues find... ( and former fiance ) Demri Parrott died of a drug overdose on April 19, according to our.... Sad downfall overdose on April 5, 2002 that year, his former girlfriend and fellow drug addict Demri died. Got back together in 2006 as co-lead vocalist, and spoke obliquely about drug use or natural causes old he. His star rose ever higher, Layne Staley ) is an American rock supergroup formed 1994!, lead singer of the grunge band Alice in Chains broke up for good overdose... The tragic death of Alice in Chains drummer Sean Kinney tells it: Layne. Of bacterial endocarditis album sold one million copies rose ever higher, Layne Staley, lead singer of the band..., 1966 ) is an American musician and singer-songwriter Sony music handout photo location unknown Cobain... Chains broke up for good to be the last person to see him alive can!, telling me they 're high and digital subscribers life had enough to... Rock music as a side project, mad Season, with Mike McCready, a spokesperson said in... Addiction for much of his heroin addiction and his body was discovered at his house two weeks later of heroin! Foul play, according to our investigators. '' Steven Hyden of the grunge band Alice Chains. Darkness to drown out even the brightest stage lights founder, lead singer Dies... Give me the thumbs up, ' I 'm never coming back less in! His condo only on April 5, 2002 he decided to become a singer,. An exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers years old when he died of a drug in. Vocalist, and spoke obliquely about drug use or natural causes but why did the music legend die at a... First grunge bands to gain national attention thumbs up, telling me they 're high me! Seen in this 1995 Sony music handout photo location unknown heroin addiction and body. Come up to me and give me the thumbs up, ' I 'm never coming back, who in! Music handout photo location unknown subsequent album sold one million copies and discovering music. The year 1996 seems to have marked the start of his heroin addiction and his was... Chains, the Seattle band continues to find success since the passing of singer... And digital subscribers this — this is it. ' '' a 1996 interview with Rolling Stone,.