Alice in Chains

Alice in Chains, an iconic American rock band, emerged from Seattle in 1987, captivating audiences with their unique blend of heavy metal and grunge. The original lineup featured Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, Layne Staley, and Mike Starr, taking their name from Staley's previous band, Alice N' Chains. They quickly rose to prominence in the early 1990s, joining the ranks of other Seattle legends like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and gained widespread recognition with their breakout single, 'Man in the Box,' from their debut album, Facelift.

Following the release of the EP Sap in 1992, Alice in Chains achieved significant commercial success with their sophomore album, Dirt, which included hit singles such as 'Rooster' and 'Would?'. In early 1993, the band saw a lineup change when Mike Inez replaced Mike Starr on bass. Their subsequent albums, Jar of Flies in 1994 and the self-titled Alice in Chains in 1995, both topped the US Billboard 200 chart and garnered multiple Grammy Award nominations, solidifying their status in rock history.

However, the band faced a tumultuous period starting in 1996, largely due to Staley's struggles with substance abuse, which ultimately led to his tragic passing in 2002 and a hiatus for the group. In 2005, Alice in Chains reunited, welcoming William DuVall as rhythm guitarist and co-lead vocalist in 2006. Since then, they have released three albums: Black Gives Way to Blue in 2009, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here in 2013, and Rainier Fog in 2018, continuing to evolve their sound while honoring their legacy.

With over thirty million RIAA-certified records sold in the United States, Alice in Chains has achieved remarkable success, including eighteen Top 10 songs on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and five No. 1 hits. Their influence is recognized through eleven Grammy Award nominations and placements on numerous greatest-of-all-time lists, including No. 34 on VH1's '100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock' and No. 15 in Hit Parader's 'Greatest Live Bands' list.