Mark Lanegan, Grunge and Desert Rock Pioneer, Dead at 57

Sad news for the rock and metal world today, as Mark Lanegan, the musician, author, singer and songwriter known for his pivotal work with Screaming Trees and Queens of the Stone Age, has died. He was 57 years old.

The news was confirmed in a statement via Mark’s social media:

“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. The family asks everyone to respect their privacy at this time.”

Over the course of his career, Lanegan became an icon for the stoner rock, desert rock, and doom metal scenes. With “psychedelic grunge act” Screaming Trees, he helped shape the outsider fringe of heavy music while its more mainstream face was in the spotlight. And with Queens of the Stone Age, he brought humanity to the outlaw rock we all heard during the very strange times that were the turn of the millennium.

Everyone at MetalSucks sends their heart out to Mark’s family, friends, collaborators and fans at this time.