Quick Facts
| Canonical Name | Layne Staley |
| Born | August 22, 1967 |
| Birthplace | Bellevue, Washington, United States |
| Country | United States |
| Occupations | singer, songwriter, composer, guitarist |
| Instruments | voice, guitar |
| Gender | male |
| Genres | grunge, alternative metal, alternative rock |
| Associated Acts | Alice in Chains, Alice N' Chains, Sleze, Mad Season, Class of '99 |
| Active Years | Active since 1984 |
Identity and Aliases
Biography
Layne Staley was an American singer, songwriter, composer, and guitarist whose name is closely tied to Alice in Chains. Born in Bellevue, Washington, he worked across grunge, alternative metal, and alternative rock during an active career that ran from 1984 to 1999.
Staley was also associated with Alice N' Chains, Sleze, Mad Season, and Class of '99. His work centered on voice and guitar, and his catalogued recordings include entries such as "Opiate," "Opiate (Layne Staley on guest vocals)," and "The American Dream."
He died in 2002 at the age of 34.
Career Timeline
Musical Roles
Layne Staley was primarily a singer, with additional work as a songwriter, composer, and guitarist. His performances centered on voice and guitar.
Bands and Projects
Recorded Performances & Appearances
MusicBrainz-listed recording entries connected to Layne Staley include:
Musical Style and Instruments
Staley's music is associated with grunge, alternative metal, and alternative rock. His work is defined by a vocal-centered approach with guitar also part of his musical identity.
Genres
Instruments
External Identifiers & Authority Control
Layne Staley has external identifiers across several music and authority profiles, including MusicBrainz, Discogs, IMDb, VIAF, ISNI, and the Library of Congress.
Semantic Graph Data (Knowledge Graph)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was Layne Staley best known for working with?
A: Layne Staley was best known for his work with Alice in Chains. He was also connected with Alice N' Chains, Sleze, Mad Season, and Class of '99.
Q: What kind of musician was Layne Staley?
A: He was a singer, songwriter, composer, and guitarist. His work centered on voice and guitar.
Q: What genres is Layne Staley associated with?
A: He is associated with grunge, alternative metal, and alternative rock. Those styles frame much of his musical profile.
Q: Where was Layne Staley born?
A: He was born in Bellevue, Washington, United States. That city is part of his basic biographical record.
Q: When was Layne Staley born?
A: Layne Staley was born on August 22, 1967. He died on April 5, 2002.
Q: What instruments did Layne Staley play?
A: His listed instruments are voice and guitar. Those are the core parts of his musical role.
Q: What bands was Layne Staley associated with?
A: His main band associations include Alice in Chains, Alice N' Chains, Sleze, Mad Season, and Class of '99. Additional related names include Alice Mudgarden and Diamond Lie.
Q: What recordings are connected to Layne Staley?
A: Associated recordings include "Opiate," "Opiate (Layne Staley on guest vocals)," and "The American Dream."