Layne Staley's Downward Spiral

Staley, front man and lead singer of AIC, was a once in a lifetime singer with a voice that was bigger than him.

After a few side bands, Staley and Jerry Cantrell got AIC together fairly quickly, and in 1990, Faceclift was released.

The country had never heard anything quite like AIC before, despite the rising popularity of grunge in the Seattle scene, and Man in the Box became their most iconic song...almost a 90's anthem to the disenfranchisement of the youth at that time.

While the band's popularity was on it's meteoric rise to the top of the charts, Layne started his downward spiral into his greatest love- Heroin.  Some say the album Dirt was specifically written about him and his demons.

Over the years, his condition worsened exponentially. He was reported to have had a debilitating, extremely painful stomach ailment, a possible reason how he got addicted to opiates.

Good friends with most of the big Seattle and LA bands, Layne's drug problem was well known among the rock inner circle and even early, several musicians expressed concern.

Cantrell was really impressed and often praised Layne publicly for his singing, but in private was begging Layne to go to rehab. After 13 half hearted stabs at that, finally Layne chose heroin after getting no help medically and became even more of a recluse.

MTV Unplugged invited AIC to play in April of '96, and it created a buzz.  Layne hadn't sung in almost a year, rather retreating to his apartment to indulge in his addiction and play video games.

Convinced, he went to perform on the Unplugged set.  Unfortunately, he showed up barely able to talk, almost incoherent.  But he went on to deliver a heart wrenching, hauntingly beautiful set, despite the fact he hardly opened his eyes or moved when he sang.

Chillingly, that was his last performance and he disappeared for awhile from the public eye, demanding his privacy.

On April 5, 2002 at the age of 34, Layne succumbed to a speedball overdose, heroin & cocaine combined.  His body wouldn't be found for weeks. He had to be identified by dental records.

His side project Mad Season (c.1994-1995), had expressed the pain, loneliness and depression he was suffering from.  Mtv Unplugged, Mad Season and many other songs in AIC's discography spoke to his cry for help, but he couldn't follow through. 

Sadly, Layne passed away April 5, 2002 alone.  When he was found, he was only 86 lbs. Their statement at the April 28th memorial service was ended by these heart breaking words: "...And we will miss you..endlessly".

  Bandmate Starr, last to see Layne the night before his death, had stormed out of Layne's apartment over an argument, despite Layne's pleas to "not leave it like this."  He committed suicide by overdose in 2011.  He always blamed himself.

Layne was a bright star in a dark hole that he never could get out of.  One of the most talented, versatile singers in rock, he stood out among a veritable graduating class of amazing Seattle singers. That was no small feat at that time.

He left us with some amazing music, settling in as 27th best rock singer of all time on the Rolling Stone top 100.  He definitely left a legacy, and left his mark on so many.

He passed as quietly as he had entered the world.  His Mother held a private service on Puget Sound and had him cremated. RIP Layne.