Biography
Layne Staley (born Layne Rutherford Staley, August 22, 1967 – April 5, 2002) was an American musician known for being the lead vocalist, occasional rhythm guitarist and co-songwriter of the rock band Alice in Chains from 1987 until 1998. The band rose to international fame in the early 1990s during Seattle's grunge movement, and became known for Staley's distinct vocal style, as well as the harmonized vocals between him and guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell.
Staley was also a member of the supergroups Mad Season and Class of '99.
From mid-1996 onwards, Staley was out of the public spotlight, never to perform live again. Staley struggled for much of his adult life with depression and a drug addiction, which resulted in his death at the age of 34 on April 5, 2002.
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