Mark Lanegan, Screaming Trees frontman and grunge pioneer, dies aged 57

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By Nika Shakhnazarova

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Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan has died aged 57.

The musician passed away at his home in Killarney, Ireland, with a statement on his official Twitter account reading: "Our beloved friend Mark Lanegan passed away this morning."

Per BBC News, Lanegan, who also featured on several tracks by Queens of The Stone Age and The Gutter Twins, was hailed as "a beloved singer, songwriter, author".

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Credit: Pako Mera / Alamy

The statement said: "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's privacy."

Lanegan, who often recorded under the name 'Dark Mark', wrote about themes including crime and addiction in many of his songs.

He launched his music career in 1984 as frontman of psychedelic grunge band Screaming Trees and went on to produce eight studio albums.

He stated in his 2020 memoir, Sing Backwards And Weep: "I would never find any of it in this dusty, isolated cow town. If the band could get me out, could get me into that life I so craved, it was worth any indignity, any hardship, any torture."

After signing with Epic, the band released Uncle Anesthesia, which featured the single 'Nearly Lost You'.

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Credit: Roberto Finizio / Alamy

Lanegan also had a solo career, releasing an album in 1990 titled The Winding Street. He also collaborated with various artists throughout his career, including Nirvana's Kurt Cobain.

Screaming Trees broke up in 2000 following Lanegan's altercation with fellow band member Gary Lee Conner. He then featured as a vocalist on Queens of the Stone Age’s debut album Rated R having performed with Josh Homme while on tour with Screaming Trees.

He performed on four more Queens of the Stone Age albums, as well as solo efforts, including 'Field Songs', 'Bubblegum' and 'Straight Songs of Sorrow'.

Tributes to the musician followed news of his death. Peter Hook, co-founder of Joy Division and New Order, described Lanegan as a "lovely man" who led a "wild life".

He shared a black and white photo on Twitter and wrote: "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."

Screaming Trees drummer Mark Pickerel said in a series of tweets: "Goodbye old friend, I'll miss you, I love you," and that he hoped the angels were "taking good care" of Lanegan. He also shared a photo of them hugging and added: "May you truly Rest in Peace Big Brother @marklanegan."

Featured image credit: Gonzales Photo / Alamy