What is Layne Staley?
{{Infobox musical artist | Name = Layne Staley | Img = Staley05 (cropped).jpg | Img_alt = | Img_capt = Staley performing with Alice in Chains in 1992 | Img_size = | Landscape = | Background = solo_singer | Birth_name = Layne Thomas Staley | Alias = | birth_date = {{birth date|1967|8|22|mf=y}} | birth_place = [[Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], U.S. | Origin = | death_date = {{death date and age|mf=yes|2002|4|5|1967|8|22}} |death_place = [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], U.S. | Instrument = Vocals, guitar, drums | Genre = [[Alternative metal]], [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]], [[grunge]], [[alternative rock]], [[blues rock]], [[speed metal]], [[glam metal]] | Occupation = Musician, songwriter, artist | Years_active = 1979–2002 | Label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]] | Associated_acts = [[Alice in Chains]], [[Mad Season (band)|Mad Season]], [[Class of '99]], [[Alice N' Chains]], [[Sleze]] | URL = [http://www.layne-staley.com/ layne-staley.com] }} '''Layne Thomas Staley''' (August 22, 1967 – April 5, 2002) was an [[Americans|American]] [[musician]]. He was the lead [[singer]] of the [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Alice in Chains]]. He was born in the city of [[Kirkland, Washington]]. == Alice in Chains == Layne Staley first played in a band called [[Sleze]] which consisted of Shorewood High School students as well as future members of the bands The Dehumanizers and Second Coming.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/04/how-alice-in-chains-found-the-most-memorable-voice-in-grunge/255469/|accessdate=2013-01-08|title=How Alice in Chains Found the Most Memorable Voice in Grunge|date=5 April 2012|publisher=[[The Atlantic]]}}</ref> The band morphed into Alice 'N Chains in 1986 and mostly played cover versions