Layne Staley was a prominent figure in the grunge music scene as the lead vocalist of Alice in Chains. His unique vocal style and harmonies with Jerry Cantrell contributed to the band's international success in the early 1990s. Before Alice in Chains, Staley was involved with glam metal bands Sleze and Alice N' Chains. He also participated in the supergroups Mad Season and Class of '99.
August 22, 1967: Layne Staley's Birth
On August 22, 1967, Layne Rutherford Staley, later known as the frontman of Alice in Chains, was born.
1984: Layne Staley Joins Sleze
Layne Staley, having started playing drums at age 12, joined the band Sleze in 1984, marking the beginning of his journey towards becoming a vocalist.
1985: Sleze Cameo in "Father Rock"
In 1985, Layne Staley's band Sleze made a cameo appearance in "Father Rock," a low-budget film produced by Seattle's Public Access Channel.
1986: Transformation of Sleze into Alice N' Chains
Layne Staley's band Sleze underwent a transformation in 1986, evolving into Alice N' Chains. This early iteration of the band embraced a glam metal aesthetic and focused on performing covers of bands like Slayer and Armored Saint.
1987: Layne Staley Joins Jerry Cantrell's Band
In 1987, after a stint in a funk band, Layne Staley officially joined Jerry Cantrell's band, which would later become Alice in Chains. Staley's decision to join came after a series of humorous auditions with unsuitable lead singers, orchestrated by Cantrell.
1987: Layne Staley Meets Jerry Cantrell
Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell, who would go on to form the core of Alice in Chains, crossed paths in 1987 at a party in Seattle. Impressed by Staley's vocal abilities, Cantrell was invited to live with Staley, solidifying a pivotal partnership in music history.
1988: Alice in Chains Record "The Treehouse Tapes"
In 1988, Alice in Chains recorded "The Treehouse Tapes," a demo that would prove crucial in their journey to signing with a major label. The recording session was almost derailed by a police raid on the studio.
1989: Alice in Chains Sign with Columbia Records
Alice in Chains secured a record deal with Columbia Records in 1989, marking a significant step forward in their career. The signing came after the label's president, Don Ienner, was impressed by the band's demo recordings.
August 21, 1990: Alice in Chains Release Debut Album "Facelift"
On August 21, 1990, Alice in Chains released their debut album, "Facelift." The album was instrumental in shaping the band's distinctive sound and marked their entry into the burgeoning grunge scene.
1990: "Man in the Box" Release and Critical Acclaim
In 1990, Alice in Chains released "Man in the Box," the second single from their debut album "Facelift." The song garnered significant critical acclaim, particularly for Layne Staley's distinctive vocal style.
1991: Layne Staley Expresses Views on Religion
In a 1991 interview, Layne Staley, raised as a Christian Scientist, shared his critical perspective on religion, expressing skepticism about organized faith and emphasizing his personal choice not to adhere to any specific belief system.
September 1992: Alice in Chains Releases "Dirt"
In September 1992, Alice in Chains released their most successful album, "Dirt," which debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 and was certified quadruple platinum.
1992: Alice in Chains Release "Sap" EP and Cameo in "Singles"
In 1992, Alice in Chains released "Sap," an acoustic EP that showcased a different side to their sound. The same year, the band made a cameo appearance in Cameron Crowe's film "Singles," performing "It Ain't Like That" and "Would?."
1993: Staley Saves Starr's Life
During a tour in Brazil in 1993, Layne Staley saved bassist Mike Starr's life after he overdosed.
1993: Staley Collaborates with Heart
Layne Staley shared lead vocals with Ann Wilson on a cover of Bob Dylan's "Ring Them Bells," which was featured on Heart's 1993 album "Desire Walks On."
April 1994: Kurt Cobain's Death Briefly Scares Staley into Sobriety
Following Kurt Cobain's death in April 1994, Layne Staley became temporarily sober, but unfortunately, he relapsed back into addiction.
October 12, 1994: Staley's Side Project, "The Gacy Bunch," Plays First Show
On October 12, 1994, Layne Staley's side project, later renamed Mad Season, performed their first show at the Crocodile Cafe in Seattle under the name "The Gacy Bunch."
1994: Jar of Flies Tops Billboard 200 and Staley's Rehab Stint
Alice in Chains achieved a significant career milestone in 1994 when their EP "Jar of Flies" debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, a first for both the band and for an EP. However, amidst this success, Layne Staley's struggles with heroin addiction led him to enter a rehabilitation clinic.
1994: Staley Featured on Second Coming's Debut Album
Layne Staley provided lead vocals for the song "It's Coming After" from Second Coming's 1994 debut album, "L.O.V.Evil."
January 1995: Mad Season Performs on Pearl Jam's Radio Broadcast
In January 1995, Mad Season, Layne Staley's side project, performed two songs on Pearl Jam's Self-Pollution satellite radio broadcast.
March 1995: Mad Season Releases Debut Album, "Above"
Mad Season, Layne Staley's side project, released their debut album, "Above," in March 1995.
August 1995: Mad Season Releases "Live at the Moore" Home Video
In August 1995, Mad Season, Layne Staley's side project, released "Live at the Moore," a home video of a live performance filmed at the Moore Theatre in Seattle.
November 1995: Alice in Chains Releases "Tripod"
Alice in Chains released their self-titled album, sometimes referred to as "Tripod," in November 1995, which debuted at the top of the U.S. charts.
1995: Staley's Footage Used in Class of '99 Music Video
Footage of Layne Staley from Mad Season's 1995 "Live at the Moore" video was used for the music video of Class of '99's "Another Brick in the Wall" in 1998.
February 1996: Staley Interviewed by Rolling Stone
In February 1996, Layne Staley gave a revealing interview with Rolling Stone, discussing his struggles with drug addiction.
April 10, 1996: Alice in Chains' MTV Unplugged Performance
After a two-and-a-half year hiatus largely due to Layne Staley's struggles with addiction, Alice in Chains returned to the stage for a highly anticipated performance on MTV Unplugged in New York on April 10, 1996.
October 29, 1996: Staley's Former Fiancée, Demri Lara Parrott, Dies
Demri Lara Parrott, Layne Staley's former fiancée, died of a drug overdose on October 29, 1996. Staley was deeply affected by her death.
February 26, 1997: Alice in Chains Attends the Grammy Awards
Alice in Chains, including Layne Staley, attended the Grammy Awards on February 26, 1997, as their song "Again" was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance.
June 22, 1998: Staley Gives Rare Interview on Rockline
On June 22, 1998, Layne Staley made a rare public appearance by calling into the radio program Rockline and giving an interview during which he expressed his appreciation for Jerry Cantrell's solo album.
October 1998: Recording with Alice in Chains
In October 1998, Layne Staley re-emerged to record two tracks with Alice in Chains, "Get Born Again" and "Died". Despite his participation, reports indicated Staley's deteriorating health, with studio personnel noting his extreme weight loss and physical atrophy.
October 31, 1998: Final Public Appearance
On October 31, 1998, Layne Staley made his final public appearance at a Jerry Cantrell solo concert in Seattle. He declined Cantrell's request to sing on stage, and a backstage photo from this event is the last known photo of him.
November 1998: Recording with Class of '99
In November 1998, Layne Staley recorded additional vocal tracks for a supergroup called Class of '99, which included members from bands like Rage Against the Machine and Jane's Addiction.
November 1998: Class of '99 Releases "Another Brick in the Wall" Cover
In November 1998, the supergroup Class of '99, featuring Layne Staley, released their cover of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" for the soundtrack of the film "The Faculty."
1998: Final Recordings with Alice in Chains and Class of '99
In 1998, despite largely remaining out of the public eye, Layne Staley recorded two songs with Alice in Chains, "Get Born Again" and "Died," as well as a cover of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" with the supergroup Class of '99.
July 19, 1999: Last Interview
On July 19, 1999, during a Rockline radio program discussing the release of Nothing Safe: Best of the Box, Layne Staley unexpectedly called in, marking his last interview.
1999: Staley Discusses "Get Born Again" and Religious Hypocrisy
In 1999, Layne Staley provided insight into the meaning behind the Alice in Chains song "Get Born Again," revealing that the lyrics delve into the theme of "religious hypocrisy," a topic he had expressed strong opinions about in previous years.
April 5, 2002: Layne Staley's Death
On April 5, 2002, Layne Staley tragically passed away at the age of 34 due to a speedball overdose.
April 19, 2002: Staley's Death
On April 19, 2002, Layne Staley's body was discovered in his home after his mother called 911 due to no activity in his bank account for two weeks. His body was found partially decomposed, and he weighed only 86 pounds.
April 20, 2002: Informal Memorial
On April 20, 2002, an informal memorial was held at the Seattle Center for Layne Staley, attended by fans, friends, and notable musicians including his Alice in Chains bandmates and Chris Cornell.
April 28, 2002: Private Memorial
On April 28, 2002, a private memorial service was held for Layne Staley on Bainbridge Island, attended by close family, friends, and bandmates. Chris Cornell performed at the service.
2002: Lanegan Comments on Staley's Struggles After Parrott's Death
In a 2002 interview with Rolling Stone, Mark Lanegan commented that Layne Staley never recovered from Demri Parrott's death in 1996 and expressed his belief that Staley didn't want to continue living after that.
2002: Annual Layne Staley Tribute Concert Begins
Seattle began hosting an annual tribute concert in 2002 to honor Layne Staley on his birthday. The event benefits the Layne Staley Memorial Fund and has been held at various venues, including the Moore Theatre, The Showbox The Fenix, and The Crocodile.
2002: Layne Staley's Family Disputes Final Interview
Layne Staley's family refuted the authenticity of a final interview published in a 2002 biography. They maintain that Staley did not participate in any interviews during that time, casting doubt on the book's claims.
2002: Layne Staley Memorial Fund Established
In 2002, Layne Staley's parents established the Layne Staley Memorial Fund. The fund aims to provide support and resources for those struggling with addiction, honoring Staley's legacy.
2003: "Layne Staley: Angry Chair" Released
Adriana Rubio published her first biography of Layne Staley, "Layne Staley: Angry Chair," in 2003. The book claimed to feature a final interview with Staley conducted shortly before his death, a claim disputed by Staley's family.
2003: Eddie Vedder Releases "4/20/02"
Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam released a poignant tribute to Layne Staley in 2003. The song, "4/20/02," was a hidden track on Pearl Jam's "Lost Dogs" album, released four minutes and twenty seconds after the last listed song.
2003: Musical Tributes to Layne Staley
Several bands paid tribute to Layne Staley in 2003. Cold dedicated "The Day Seattle Died" to him and Kurt Cobain, while Staind released a song titled "Layne" in his memory.
2004: More Musicians Honor Layne Staley
The tributes to Layne Staley continued in 2004. Black Label Society included the song "Layne" on their album "Hangover Music Vol. VI," and Kat Bjelland of Katastrophy Wife penned "Layne to Rest" for their album "All Kneel."
2005: Alice in Chains Reunion
In 2005, Alice in Chains reunited for a benefit concert for the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami victims. The positive response led to a formal reunion in 2006 with William DuVall as Staley's replacement.
November 2006: Layne Staley Ranked Among Top Vocalists
Layne Staley's vocal prowess earned him recognition in November 2006 when Hit Parader magazine ranked him No. 27 on their "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists" list.
2006: Layne Staley Ranked Among Heavy Metal's Top Vocalists
In 2006, Layne Staley's distinctive vocal style earned him recognition on Hit Parader's list of "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists," where he was ranked at No. 27.
2007: Billy Corgan Releases "Bleeding The Orchid"
In 2007, Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins released "Bleeding The Orchid," a song indirectly inspired by Staley's death. Corgan also commented on Staley's unique and haunting voice, highlighting his impact on music.
2008: Metallica Honors Layne Staley with "Death Magnetic"
Metallica drew inspiration from Layne Staley for the title of their 2008 album, "Death Magnetic." The album also features a tribute song titled "Rebel of Babylon," dedicated to Staley.
2009: "Layne Staley: Get Born Again" Published
Adriana Rubio released an updated and revised version of her Layne Staley biography, "Layne Staley: Get Born Again," in 2009. The book revisited Staley's life and career, including the controversial final interview from her previous work.
2009: "Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music" Published
Greg Prato's book, "Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music," was published in 2009. The book delves into the history of the grunge movement, with a focus on Layne Staley's impact and the legacy of Alice in Chains.
2009: Alice in Chains Releases Tribute Album, "Black Gives Way to Blue"
In 2009, Alice in Chains released "Black Gives Way to Blue," their first studio album in 14 years. The title track serves as a tribute to Layne Staley, featuring Elton John on piano. The album's cover art, a heart on a black background, reflects the heartbreak of Staley's passing.
February 2010: Mike Starr's Confession
In February 2010, during an interview on VH1's Celebrity Rehab, Mike Starr revealed he was the last person to see Layne Staley alive, on April 4, 2002. Starr expressed regret for not calling 911 despite Staley's severe condition.
2010: Dedication and Sadie's Death
In 2010, Jerry Cantrell dedicated his solo album, Degradation Trip, to Layne Staley's memory. He also took care of Staley's cat, Sadie, until her death at the age of 18.
March 8, 2011: Mike Starr's Death
On March 8, 2011, former Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr was found dead due to a prescription drug overdose, a year after revealing his last moments with Layne Staley.
September 6, 2011: Hank Williams III Dedicates Album to Layne Staley
Hank Williams III released his album "Attention Deficit Domination" on September 6, 2011, and dedicated it to the memory of Layne Staley.
2011: Sean Kinney Honors Layne Staley and Mike Starr
In a touching tribute to his former bandmates, Alice in Chains drummer Sean Kinney added the initials "LSMS" to his drum kit in 2011, honoring Layne Staley and bassist Mike Starr, who passed away that same year.
2011: "Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge" Released
Mark Yarm's book, "Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge," hit the shelves in 2011. The book provides a comprehensive look at the grunge scene, featuring interviews with Staley's family, friends, and former bandmates, including Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Mike Starr, and Layne's mother.
2011: Jerry Cantrell Honors Layne Staley and Mike Starr
Jerry Cantrell began paying tribute to Layne Staley before performing "Nutshell" at Alice in Chains concerts after their reunion. Since 2011, he has extended the tribute to include Mike Starr as well, honoring both fallen bandmates.
2012: Staley's Posthumous Song Featured in "Grassroots" Film
A song titled "Things You Do" featuring Layne Staley on vocals was included in the soundtrack for the 2012 film "Grassroots."
2012: Layne Staley Recognized as One of the Best Lead Singers
In 2012, Complex magazine recognized Layne Staley's exceptional talent by ranking him No. 42 on their list of "The 50 Best Lead Singers of All Time."
2012: Layne Staley Recognized as One of the Best Lead Singers
Layne Staley's vocal talent continued to be celebrated posthumously, and in 2012, he was included in Complex magazine's list of "The 50 Best Lead Singers of All Time," coming in at No. 42.
2013: Alice in Chains Pays Tribute with "Voices" Music Video
The music video for Alice in Chains' 2013 single, "Voices," featured a touching tribute to Layne Staley. At the 2:20 mark, a picture of Staley is shown alongside a photo of Nirvana's frontman, Kurt Cobain.
August 2015: "Alice in Chains: The Untold Story" Released
August 2015 marked the release of "Alice in Chains: The Untold Story," a biography written by David de Sola. The book focuses primarily on Layne Staley's life and career, featuring interviews with his close circle, though the surviving members of Alice in Chains did not participate.
2015: David De Sola's Book Questions Rubio's Interview
Journalist David De Sola released "Alice in Chains: The Untold Story" in 2015, challenging the legitimacy of the supposed final Layne Staley interview. De Sola's skepticism, along with the lack of concrete evidence, further fueled the controversy surrounding the interview.
August 22, 2016: Eddie Vedder's Tribute to Layne Staley
On August 22, 2016, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam paid a heartfelt tribute to Layne Staley during a concert in Chicago. Vedder dedicated the song "Man of the Hour" to Staley, marking what would have been his 49th birthday.
2016: Nancy Wilson Records "The Dragon"
Nancy Wilson recorded the song "The Dragon" in 2016, a piece she had initially written for Layne Staley in the 1990s. The song would later be released with her band, Roadcase Royale.
April 2017: Nancy Wilson Reveals Inspiration Behind "The Dragon"
In April 2017, Nancy Wilson shared that her song "The Dragon," written in the '90s, was originally intended for Layne Staley. The song was eventually recorded in 2016 and released in 2017 as part of Wilson's band Roadcase Royale's EP.
August 22, 2017: Alice in Chains Releases Tribute Video for Layne Staley's 50th Birthday
Alice in Chains honored Layne Staley on what would have been his 50th birthday, August 22, 2017, with a special tribute video. The video featured bandmate Jerry Cantrell, along with Ann Wilson, Mike McCready, and Barrett Martin.
2018: Alice in Chains Releases "Rainier Fog" with Tributes to Layne Staley
Alice in Chains' 2018 album, "Rainier Fog," features several tributes to Layne Staley. William DuVall revealed that Staley inspired the song "Never Fade," while the title track, penned by Jerry Cantrell, is partly a tribute to Staley and Mike Starr.
August 22, 2019: Seattle Celebrates Layne Staley Day
Years after his passing, Seattle officially declared August 22, 2019, as "Layne Staley Day," honoring the musician's legacy and impact on the city's music scene.