Today, August 22nd, 2019, would've been late Alice in Chains frontman Layne Staley's 52nd birthday. The grunge icon passed away in 2002 from a heroin overdose, but his music lives on. Alice in Chains has been touring with vocalist William DuVall doing an incredibly tasteful job paying tribute to the legendary singer.
The city of Seattle, where the band had their start, has taken notice as well. KEXP reports that Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan has proclaimed August 22, 2019 as “Layne Staley Day” in Seattle, WA.
The occasion is being used to remind folks of the Layne Staley Memorial Fund. The fund was established by his parents in 2002 hoping to provide "hope, education, support and treatment funds for heroin recovery in the Seattle music community." You can donate to the fund here.
You can read the proclamation below.
An annual gathering will occur tonight at the International Fountain in Seattle Center at 7:00 PM. Members of Staley's family will be in attendance. There is an acoustic tribute show scheduled right after at Nectar Lounge with Alice in Chains tribute band Jar of Flies and special guests Outshined (Chris Cornell tribute) and Washed in Black (Pearl Jam tribute). More info can be found here.
