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Rockers Grieve For Layne Staley Tuesday April 23, 2002 @ 04:00 PM By: ChartAttack.com Staff Layne Staley The passing of Alice In Chains lead singer Layne Staley, whose body was found in his Seattle home on Friday (April 19), has left the American music community in mourning. While the news of Staley's death has shocked few — the singer had suffered a lengthy battle with heroin addiction — a host of Staley's old friends have come forward to offer their thoughts on Staley's tragic life. All four former members of Alice In Chains — Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez, Sean Kinney and original bassist Mike Starr — were present at a candlelight vigil held for Staley on the weekend in Seattle. While the band members have for the most part chosen not to speak with the press about Staley's passing, they have issued a statement on the official Alice In Chains website. "It's good to be with friends and family as we struggle to deal with this immense loss… and try to celebrate this immense life," the band wrote. "We are looking for all the usual things: comfort, purpose, answeres, something to hold on to, a way to let him go in peace. "Mostly, we are feeling heartbroken over the death of our beautiful friend. He was an amazing comfort to so many. He made great music and gifted it to the world. We are proud to have known him, to be his friend and to create music with him. "For the past decade, Layne struggled greatly — we can only hope that he has at last found some peace. "We love you, Layne. Dearly. And we will miss you… endlessly." The statement was followed by a request that the media restrain from hounding Staley's friends and family as well as a call to make donations in Staley's name to the Eastside Recovery Centre (1412, 140th Place N.E., Bellevue, WA, 98007). Other musicians, including Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello and The Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan, have also issued statements. Morello got to know Staley well through touring with Chains on Lollapalooza, while Corgan was just an admiring fan. "Layne and I became good friends on the 1993 Lollapalooza tour. I will always remember him as the bright, funny and amazingly talented singer who got up there every hot summer day in a gorgeous suit and sang like an angry angel," Morello said in his statement. "We would laugh until we split our sides arguing about who was 'more metal.' I hope he is at peace." Corgan was equally complimentary. "Layne had an amazing voice that had such a beautiful, sad, haunting quality to it," he said. "He was different because his heaviness was in that voice. I saw Alice in Chains at one of their final performances, opening for KISS at Tiger Stadium. They played outside in the sunshine and they were awesome. I think that's a good way to remember someone who has and will be missed." Many other celebrites, music industry types and fans have come forward to express their grief over Staley's death. If you want to send your condolences to the band or share a memory of Staley, there is a bulletin board posted at the band's website.