Alice in Chains was formed as grunge music was beginning. In 1987, Jerry Cantrell formed the band with singer Layne Staley, and soon afterward, the duo added Sean Kinney on drums and Mike Starr on bass. Mike Starr was later replaced with bassist Mike Inez. Although some of the music written and performed by Alice in Chains can be considered grunge music, some of the band’s music has more of a heavy metal sound, while other songs by the band fit into the acoustic genre. The band’s influences include metal, punk, funk and rock & roll. Hits and well-known songs include “Man in the Box,” from their first album, Facelift, and “Would,” from the Singles soundtrack. Other hits are “Them Bones,” “Rooster,” and “Down in a Hole” from their second album, Dirt, and “I Stay Away” and “No Excuses” from their third album, Jar of Flies. They also released a album simply titled “Alice in Chains” that included the popular song “Heaven Beside You.”

The band gained recognition for the unique quality of their vocals, which frequently blended harmonies between Staley and Cantrell. Staley also earned acclaim for lead vocals that have been described as simultaneously powerful and vulnerable and