Alice In Chains Lawsuit

Alice In Chains is being sued by the mother of late frontman Layne Staley, who claims the band members are cutting her out of royalty income.

Nancy McCallum claims Alice In Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell tried several times to change the income-sharing agreement during the band’s career, according to Courthouse News. She says she splits the frontman’s one-third share royalties with Staley’s father, Phil Staley.

The lawsuit claims Cantrell brought the issue up after Staley’s death but didn’t pursue it.

This year, however, the McCallum received a “shocking” letter from the band’s attorney allegedly claiming Staley’s death had “disassociated” him from the band’s partnership agreements, according to Courthouse News, and the plaintiffs now owned Staley’s royalties.

McCallum argues that if it were true, the band members failed to buy out Staley’s share in the band’s partnership.

McCallum says she has actively sought to protect Staley’s legacy, suing to stop a band from using the name Alice In Chains, and that she organizes the annual Layne Staley Tribute concert, with proceeds going to aid recovering drug addicts.

Staley, emaciated from drug use, died in 2002.