Layne Staley’s journals to be published as new book
The journals written by the late Alice In Chains vocalist Layne Staley are set to be released later this year as a book.
Titled This Angry Pen: The Lost Journals of Layne Staley, the 176-page book is set to be shared through the publisher Weldon Owen and will be distributed via Simon and Schuster.
The distributor’s description of the book states it is a collection of “handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes”.
It continues: “For the first time, this stunning collection unveils the deeply personal and creative side of the legendary Alice in Chains frontman. Through never-before-seen poetry, raw handwritten lyrics, intimate scribblings, and heartfelt notes, Layne’s inner thoughts and emotions come to life, offering a glimpse into the mind of a musical genius who defined a generation.”
Staley was a founding member of Alice In Chains in 1987, and the band became one of the biggest acts to emerge from the grunge scene of the 1990s.
During his time with the band, they released three studio albums, including their eponymous 1995 record, which topped the Billboard 200 and sold more than two million copies in the United States alone.
However, at the time of their mainstream success, Staley was also battling heroin addiction which prevented the group from touring. In 1996, they made their first live performance in more than two years on MTV Unplugged, which remains one of the most celebrated sets in the history of the series. Staley performed for the final time later that year in Kansas City.
The final years of his life saw Staley withdraw from public life and retreat from his music career. Due to his reclusive nature during this dark period, little is known about the last few years of his life before his body was discovered in his Seattle home in 2002 due to drug abuse.
However, the new book promises to unearth more details about Staley and the person behind the music. The description states, “Through Layne’s scribblings and heartfelt musings are a window into the emotional depths of a man who gave so much of himself to his art and his fans, even as he struggled with his own battles.”
It adds: “For fans new and old, this is an opportunity to connect with Layne’s artistry and humanity in a way that’s never been possible before. His story, told through his own words, creations, and the lives he forever changed, is a testament to the enduring power of music, art, and the human spirit.”
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