Lasting Legacy of Layne Staley: A Look at the Influence on History

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Layne Staley across different fields.

Layne Staley was the lead vocalist of the internationally acclaimed grunge band Alice in Chains. Emerging from Seattle's music scene in the early 1990s, Staley's distinctive vocal style and harmonies with Jerry Cantrell became a signature element of the band's sound. Before Alice in Chains, he was involved in glam metal bands like Sleze and Alice N' Chains. He also participated in the supergroups Mad Season and Class of '99, further showcasing his diverse musical talents.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

February 1996: Staley's Rolling Stone Interview

In February 1996, Layne Staley told Rolling Stone that drugs were turning against him and that he didn't want his fans to think that heroin was cool.

April 20, 2002: Informal memorial held for Staley

On the night of April 20, 2002, an informal memorial was held for Layne Staley at the Seattle Center, attended by friends, fans, and Alice in Chains bandmates. Memorial messages continue to be left on a wall outside his former home.

April 28, 2002: Private memorial service for Staley

On April 28, 2002, a private memorial service was held for Layne Staley on Bainbridge Island in Washington's Puget Sound. The service was attended by family, friends, Alice in Chains bandmates, and music personalities. Chris Cornell, along with Ann and Nancy Wilson, performed at the service.

2002: Lanegan's reflection on Demri's death

In 2002, Mark Lanegan told Rolling Stone that Layne Staley never recovered from Demri's death on October 29, 1996, and didn't seem to want to go on living after that.

2002: Layne Staley Memorial Fund Established

In 2002, the Layne Staley Memorial Fund was established by his parents. On August 22, 2019, 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, also drawing attention to the memorial fund.

2002: Annual tribute concert for Staley begins

Since 2002, Seattle has hosted an annual tribute concert for Layne Staley on his birthday. The show proceeds benefit the Layne Staley Memorial Fund.

2003: Release of Layne Staley: Angry Chair biography

In 2003, Adriana Rubio released "Layne Staley: Angry Chair", containing an alleged final interview of Staley.

2003: Cold's tribute song

In 2003, Cold released the song "The Day Seattle Died" on their album Year of the Spider as a tribute to Layne Staley and Kurt Cobain.

2003: Release of Pearl Jam's "4/20/02"

In 2003, Pearl Jam released "4/20/02," a song written by Eddie Vedder eulogizing Layne Staley, as a hidden track on their B-sides and rarities album, Lost Dogs.

2004: Tribute songs by Staind and Black Label Society

In 2004, Staind featured a song called "Layne" on their album 14 Shades of Grey in memory of Layne Staley, and Black Label Society included a tribute titled "Layne" on their album Hangover Music Vol. VI.

November 2006: Staley ranked on Hit Parader's list

In November 2006, Layne Staley was ranked No. 27 on Hit Parader magazine's list of "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists."

2006: Alice in Chains formally reunites with DuVall

Following a positive response, Alice in Chains formally reunited in 2006, with William DuVall announced as Staley's replacement for reunion shows. The band paid tribute to Staley during concerts with a filmed tribute.

2006: Ranked in Hit Parader's List

In 2006, Layne Staley was ranked at No. 27 on Hit Parader's list of "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists".

2007: Smashing Pumpkins' song inspired by Staley

In 2007, Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins stated that Layne Staley's voice had a unique quality and the song "Bleeding The Orchid" from their album Zeitgeist was indirectly inspired by his death.

2007: Nancy McCallum discusses Staley's isolation

In 2007, Layne Staley's mother, Nancy McCallum, stated that despite his isolation, Staley was never far from the love of his family and friends, who left messages and letters for him. She emphasized that isolation did not mean a lack of connection.

2008: Metallica's album inspired by Staley

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

2009: Publication of 'Layne Staley: Get Born Again'

In 2009, Adriana Rubio released "Layne Staley: Get Born Again", a revised version of her earlier book about Staley.

2009: Alice in Chains release "Black Gives Way to Blue" album

In 2009, Alice in Chains released their first studio album in 14 years, "Black Gives Way to Blue", featuring a tribute to Staley in the title track. Jerry Cantrell invited Elton John to play the piano on the closing song, which was written as the band's goodbye to Layne Staley. The album's cover art was inspired by the heartbreak of Staley's death.

2009: Staley Featured in 'Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music'

In 2009, Layne Staley was featured in the book "Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music" by Greg Prato, which explores the history of grunge and touches upon Alice in Chains and Staley's life and death.

2010: Staley's mother discusses his ashes

During her appearance on Celebrity Rehab in 2010, Layne Staley's mother stated that she keeps his ashes in a box.

2010: Sadie the cat's death

In 2010, Sadie, Layne Staley's cat who was taken in by Jerry Cantrell and his family after Staley's death, died at the age of 18.

September 6, 2011: Hank Williams III Dedicates Album to Staley

On September 6, 2011, Hank Williams III released his album "Attention Deficit Domination" and dedicated it to Layne Staley as a tribute.

2011: Sean Kinney and Jerry Cantrell pay tribute to Staley

In 2011, Alice in Chains' drummer Sean Kinney, paid tribute to Layne Staley and the band's former bassist, Mike Starr, who died in 2011 by adding the initials "LSMS" on his drum kit. Also, since 2011, Jerry Cantrell pays tribute to both Staley and Mike Starr before performing the song at concerts.

2011: Staley Featured in 'Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge'

In 2011, Layne Staley was featured in the book "Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge" by Mark Yarm, which explores the history of grunge and touches upon Alice in Chains and Staley's life and death.

2011: Cantrell pays tribute to Staley and Mike Starr

Since 2011, Jerry Cantrell pays tribute to both Staley and Mike Starr before performing the song at concerts.

2012: Staley ranked on Complex's list

In 2012, Layne Staley was ranked at No. 42 on Complex magazine's list of "The 50 Best Lead Singers of All Time."

2012: Ranked in Complex's Magazine List

In 2012, Layne Staley was ranked at No. 42 on Complex's magazine list of "The 50 Best Lead Singers of All Time".

2013: Alice in Chains Includes Staley's Photo in "Voices" Music Video

In 2013, the music video for Alice in Chains' single, "Voices", featured a picture of Layne Staley next to a photo of Kurt Cobain.

August 2015: Release of Alice in Chains: The Untold Story

In August 2015, David de Sola released the biography Alice in Chains: The Untold Story, which focuses mainly on Layne Staley and features interviews with his friends and relatives.

August 22, 2016: Vedder dedicates song to Staley

On August 22, 2016, Eddie Vedder paid tribute to Layne Staley during a Pearl Jam concert in Chicago on what would have been Staley's 49th birthday, dedicating the song "Man of the Hour" to his late friend.

April 2017: Nancy Wilson releases "The Dragon"

In April 2017, Nancy Wilson revealed that she started writing the song "The Dragon" for Layne 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.

August 22, 2017: Alice in Chains Releases Tribute Video on Staley's 50th Birthday

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

2018: William DuVall and Jerry Cantrell pay tribute to Staley on Rainier Fog album

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