Today In Rock: April 6th, 2006 – Alice In Chains Adds William DuVall
On this day… Alice In Chains (AIC) confirmed that William DuVall was the group’s new frontman, replacing the late Layne Staley.
In early 2000, Duvall’s band Comes With The Fall moved to Los Angeles. Within days, Duvall met Alice In Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell though a mutual acquaintance. Cantrell staring hanging out with the band occasionally joining them onstage.
The following year, Comes With The Fall was both Cantrell’s the opening act and backing band on the tour for the guitarist’s second solo album, “Degradation Trip.” Duvall sang Staley’s parts on the Alice In Chains songs.
It was while Duvall’s band was on tour with Cantrell that Staley died of a drug overdose.
According to Cantrell, it only took one audition for DuVall to get the Alice In Chains gig.
DuVall made his first public performance with AIC at VH1’s Decades Rock Live (’05) concert honoring Heart. He sang the band’s classic, “Rooster.” He was also the lead singer during AIC’s ’06 reunion concerts
Duvall’s first album with AIC was ’09’s “Black Gives Way To Blue,” which spawned the #1 Mainstream Rock songs “Check My Brain” and “Your Decision.” The album went gold (500,000 units moved).
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