LAYNE STALEY´S DAY...

The iconic lead singer of Alice in Chains

Layne Staley would have turned 57 on August 22, 2024. Layne's powerful voice, haunting lyrics and heartfelt singing style created the perfect sound for a genre that defined a new music taste for a generation worldwide. 

As I look back on his life and career, it's clear that Layne Staley was more than just a musician or rock star; he was true to himself, a talented visual artist and for the most part a sweet human being who poured his heart and soul into his work. 

The music of Alice in Chains addressed the challenges many people encountered, and Layne Staley's candidness about his personal struggles, opened a genuine door that deeply connected with the audience.

Aside from Alice In Chains, Layne Staley's talent and passion for music also led him to create his own music project Mad Season, joining forces with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees, and John Baker Saunders of The Walkabouts. Mad Season was a project that allowed Staley to explore different musical fields to express himself in new ways.

He also incurred into a notable collaboration with Class of ´99 for the soundtrack of the science fiction movie The Faculty. The band was formed by members of prestigious bands cited as follows: Layne Staley of Alice In Chains, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Stephen Perkins of Jane´s Addiction, Martyn Le Noble of Porno for Pyros and Matt Serletic of Collective Soul. The five members contributed to cover Pink Floyd´s Another Brick in the Wall (Part I and Part II).

Through these associations and more, Layne Staley left an enormous mark on the music world, not only with his performances with Alice in Chains but also with his work in other projects that highlight his talent, creativity, songwriting and singing style right to the top.

Despite his untimely passing on April 5th, 2002, Layne Staley's legacy continues to inspire artists and fans around the globe.

Happy Birthday Layne! You're greatly missed.