Alice in Chains was formed in 1987 by guitarist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney, who then recruited bassist Mike Starr and singer Layne Staley.

The single "Man in the Box", which reached number 18 on the Mainstream Rock chart, helped Facelift achieve double Platinum status.

The critically acclaimed album, also the band's most successful, debuted at number six on the Billboard 200, and was certified quintuple Platinum.

On April 19, 2002, Staley was found dead in his home after overdosing on heroin and cocaine, causing the group to break up.

[11] On April 25, 2009, it was announced that Alice in Chains had signed to Virgin/EMI making it the band's first label change in their 20-plus year career.