Mark Lanegan, lead vocalist of the 90s alt-rock band Screaming Trees, died on Tuesday at his home in Killarney, Ireland. He was 57. The acclaimed singer, who was the frontman of the hit band, had a long career as a solo artist, with his family releasing a statement on his demise. Lanegan's official Twitter account tweeted the news of his death saying, "Our beloved friend Mark Lanegan passed away this morning at his home in Killarney, Ireland. A beloved singer, songwriter, author and musician he was 57 and is survived by his wife Shelley. No other information is available at this time. We ask Please respect the family privacy."
Our beloved friend Mark Lanegan passed away this morning at his home in Killarney, Ireland. A beloved singer, songwriter, author and musician he was 57 and is survived by his wife Shelley. No other information is available at this time. We ask Please respect the family privacy
— mark lanegan (@marklanegan) February 22, 2022
Born in Washington in 1964, Lanegan founded Screaming Trees with guitarist Gary Lee Conner, bassist Van Conner and drummer Mark Pickerel in the '80s and signed their first record deal with the indie label SST in 1986. The band gained prominence in Seattle's grunge scene and hit the peak in the mainstream music industry in 1992 with their Sweet Oblivion single 'Nearly Lost You'. It went on to be featured on the rom-com Singles while topping the Billboard‘s Alternative Airplay chart at No. 5 and is one of the four appearances of the band on the listing, which also includes 'All I Know', and is their second top 10 hit (from their album Dust) released in 1996. The news of Lanegan’s death has left many in the music industry in a state of shock, with leading artistes expressing their condolences and paying their tributes on social media.
MESSAGE FROM IGGY:
— Iggy Pop (@IggyPop) February 22, 2022
Mark Lanegan, RIP, deepest respect for you. Your fan,
Iggy Pop
I can't process this. Mark Lanegan will always be etched in my heart - as he surely touched so many with his genuine self, no matter the cost, true to the end. xx jc pic.twitter.com/VDL176nbJu
— John Cale (@therealjohncale) February 22, 2022
Mark Lanegan was a lovely man. He led a wild life that some of us could only dream of. He leaves us with fantastic words and music! Thank god that through all of that he will live forever. RIP Mark. Sleep well. Love Hooky. X pic.twitter.com/Xnx76y68YC
— Peter Hook (@peterhook) February 22, 2022
I love you. Rest In Peace Mark Lanegan, my brother. No words. Heartbroken. pic.twitter.com/nQblLQNjnA
— COLD CAVE (@ColdCave23) February 22, 2022
Mark Lanegan rest easy mate. A real singer. ❤️
— Sleaford Mods (@sleafordmods) February 22, 2022
Terribly saddened to hear the news of the passing of Mark Lanegan. A very gifted artist blessed with honey dipped tones, gone far too soon.
— Garbage (@garbage) February 22, 2022
RIP Mark Lanegan
— Jimi Hendrix (@JimiHendrix) February 23, 2022
Forever In Our Hearts
November 25, 1964 – February 22, 2022 pic.twitter.com/oO7AJCqj4d
RIP Mark Lanegan
— Jimi Hendrix (@JimiHendrix) February 23, 2022
Forever In Our Hearts
November 25, 1964 – February 22, 2022 pic.twitter.com/oO7AJCqj4d
Screaming Trees split up in 2000 at a time when the scene in alt-rock had witnessed a big change. Lanegan soon after ventured as a solo artist and delivered chart-buster albums Bubblegum (2004) and Blues Funeral (2012), which peaked on the Billboard 200 albums chart at No. 99. He also collaborated with other leading alt-rock bands at the time; most notably in Queens of the Stone Age's Rated R album, and sang the 'In the Fade' track and Songs For the Deaf‘s 'God Is in the Radio'.