Layne Thomas Staley (August 22, 1967 – April 5, 2002) was an American musician who served as the
lead singer and co-
songwriter of the
rock band
Alice in Chains, which he founded with guitarist
Jerry Cantrell in
Seattle,
Washington in 1987. Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the
grunge movement of the early 1990s. The band became known for his distinct vocal style, as well as the
harmonized vocals between him and Cantrell. Staley was also a member of the supergroups
Mad Season and
Class of '99. By mid-1996, Staley was out of the public spotlight, never to perform live again. Staley also struggled throughout his adult life with depression and a severe
drug addiction, culminating with his death on April 5, 2002.