Layne Staley
A new collaborative book revealing the private writings and artwork of late Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley has made an impressive debut on The New York Times Best Sellers list. This Angry Pen of Mine: Recovering the Journals of Layne Staley, created with the full cooperation of Staley’s family, entered the Hardcover Nonfiction chart at No. 14 in its first week.
Published by Weldon Owen in partnership with Primary Wave Music, the book opens a rare window into Staley’s inner world. It features handwritten lyrics, personal poetry, sketches, journal entries, never-before-seen photos, and tributes from fans, offering a multi-dimensional look at the singer behind one of rock’s most influential voices.
Staley’s mother, Nancy McCallum, provides the foreword, sharing a deeper portrait of her son beyond the public struggle that overshadowed his final years. “I hope this book gives you a glimpse of the son I knew,” she writes, describing Layne as “beautiful, creative, [and] happy.”
Primary Wave’s James Janocha emphasized the historical impact of Staley’s writing, describing his lyrical legacy as “an unmistakable imprint” that continues to grow.
Not only does the book deepen the understanding of Layne’s life and artistry, but a portion of proceeds will support the Layne Staley Memorial Fund, which helps provide treatment, education, and support for heroin addiction recovery.
Layne Staley, born August 22, 1967, became one of Seattle’s most distinctive voices after forming Alice in Chains with guitarist Jerry Cantrell in 1987. The band rose from local glam roots into the grunge era, releasing three classic studio albums and two EPs before Staley’s health forced him into isolation. He died in 2002 at age 34, his struggles with addiction tragically cutting short a profound creative life. Alice in Chains later regrouped in 2006 with vocalist William DuVall joining Cantrell, carrying the legacy forward.
SOURCE: Blabbermouth