Late Alice In Chains frontman Layne Staley and his girlfriend Demri Parrott’s throwback picture has resurfaced. Demri could be seen wearing a suede jacket, while Layne wore a red & black flannel jacket. The picture was taken on November 16, 1991 at the Metropolitan (The Met) in Spokane, WA. The venue is now called the Bing Crosby Theater. This date was a one-off from their tour with Van Halen.
Cindy Slade (@nehistripesseattle on Instagram) posted the photo, writing on Instagram, “I’ve been waiting for the perfect time to share this photo of Layne & Demri. Frankly, I’m getting tired of sharing news about many of my friends & people from Seattle’s music community passing away.
With all of the above being said, I can now create a perfect segway. Layne & Demri had such a special love; a kind of love you really didn’t see then, or even now. That alone should tell you what kind of people they were❤️.
Backstory on this photo: when we had Kathleen’s Celebration of Life (Demri’s mother), July of 2023, this photo I’m now sharing, was framed sitting on a side table along with many others.
Luckily, one of my music friends (“Hitch HikHer”), confirmed the date of November 16, 1991 at the Metropolitan (The Met) in Spokane, WA, since she also attended. The venue is now called the Bing Crosby Theater. This particular date was a one-off from their tour with Van Halen. **Note, the photo is old, Demri’s hair was not that burgundy color, it looks that way from discoloration in the picture itself**.
Along with my friend being there, so was professional photographer Darren Balch. Darren had photographed Alice several times over the years (according to Balch himself). The first time he filmed AiC was at the December 1, 1989 show at Washington State University (WSU, WAZZU), in Pullman, WA.
Every year during the Layne Staley Tribute weekend, not only do we celebrate Layne, but we also celebrate Mike Starr and Demri Parrott. Kathleen was a fixture every year and she formed a special bond with many of those who attended.
Huge thank you to Tony for allowing me to share this beautiful and loving photo.
Last note, Demri is wearing her own suede jacket; it was not Layne’s. He wore a red & black flannel jacket. Both are noticeably different.
Longtime friends – My Sisters Machine opened for Alice.
📸 Alice In Chains roadie; owned by Tony Taylor.”
Layne Staley is remembered not only for his haunting voice and powerful lyrics but also for his deeply personal and tragic love life. Among the most significant relationships in Layne’s life was his bond with Demri Parrott.
Layne Staley and Demri Parrott’s relationship was a passionate and intense one. They met in the late 1980s, and the pair quickly became inseparable. Demri, a model and artist, shared a deep connection with Layne, both creatively and emotionally. Their love was often described as all-consuming, with both Layne and Demri inspiring each other in profound ways.
However, their relationship saw a lot of struggles, particularly with substance abuse. Both Layne and Demri battled addiction, a challenge that would ultimately take a toll on their relationship and their health. Though they had deep love for each other, their shared struggles made it difficult for them to maintain a healthy relationship.
The bond between Layne and Demri was so strong that it influenced much of Layne’s music. Songs like “Down in a Hole” and “Nutshell” are believed to be reflections of his feelings for Demri and the pain of their tumultuous relationship. Their love was undeniable. However, it was also fraught with pain, making it a tragic chapter in both their lives.
Demri Parrott passed away in 1996, which was a devastating blow for Layne Staley. Her death left Layne heartbroken and further isolated him from the world. Many believe that Demri’s passing deepened Layne’s struggles with addiction, contributing to his eventual death in 2002.
Layne Staley’s relationship with Demri Parrott remains a poignant and tragic story within the rock world. Their love, though marked by struggles, was profound and deeply impactful on Layne’s life and music.
