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RIP Mark Lanegan, dead at 57. Damn, what a voice.

Mark Lanegan, the whisky-voiced singer known for his work with Screaming Trees and various groups from the Seattle area, has died.

Mark had been suffering from a variety of illnesses over the last few years, including a terrible bout of COVID-19 that nearly killed him, a story he told in his excellent memoir, Devil in a Coma. The title comes from when he fell into a coma for three weeks and was left temporarily deaf. He was also reported suffering from kidney disease. He’d been clean of all drugs for at least a decade.

There were also periods where he was a much-arrested juvenile criminal (including 26 counts of underage drinking), a crack dealer, a blackout-level alcoholic, a degenerate gambler, a thief, an insurance fraudster, a “porno fiend,” a heroin addict, and a homeless person. No wonder he was known as “rock’s great survivor.”

Above all, though, he was an amazing songwriter and a terrific singer. Along the way he released some great solo albums and served time as a member of Queens of the Stone Age. He also collaborated with Kurt Cobain, Moby, Neko Case, and many others. Plus he was good friends with Anthony Bourdain, the guy who encouraged him to write his memoir. Lanegan and Josh Homme co-wrote the theme for Bourdain’s Parts Unknown.

Had he been able to hold it together, he could have been one of the biggest Seattle stars. Variety has a good obituary. And in addition to Devil in a Coma, you should read Sing Backwards and Weep.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38019 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

2 thoughts on “RIP Mark Lanegan, dead at 57. Damn, what a voice.

  • I went straight to “Number Nine” off The Twilight Singers album Blackberry Belle when I saw the news last night.

    I’m pretty sure I only saw him perform once and it was with Queens Of The Stone Age. They started playing “In The Fade,” and my friend and I were like “Oh shit, Lanegan is here!” Then he starts signing and it was like, “Where is he?” He sang his songs off to the side, way out of any spotlight and that’s just how he liked it.

    RIP You crazy bastard!!!!

    Reply
  • I went straight to “Number Nine” off The Twilight Singers album Blackberry Belle when I saw the news last night.

    I’m pretty sure I only saw him perform once and it was with Queens Of The Stone Age. They started playing “In The Fade,” and my friend and I were like “Oh shit, Lanegan is here!” Then he starts signing and it was like, “Where is he?” He sang his songs off to the side, way out of any spotlight and that’s just how he liked it.

    Reply

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