About Jerry Cantrell
Jerry Fulton Cantrell Jr., is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with the grunge/metalband Alice in Chains, as lead guitarist, backing and co-lead vocalist, and co-lyricist. He performs lead vocals on his solo projects, and is part of Alice in Chains’ harmonizing dual-vocal style. He resides in Los Angeles and spends time on his family ranch in Oklahoma. Jerry is currently on tour in North America supporting Alice In Chains’ first new studio album in over 14 years, Black Gives Way to Blue.
Cantrell noted in an interview that he was “raised on country music” as a youth and that he admires the emotion conveyed in the genre. He also considers himself “halfYankee and half redneck.” However, hard rock music caught Cantrell’s interest predominantly, and he bought his first guitar in his mid teens. It wouldn’t be until the age of 17, however, that he began seriously playing the instrument. Cantrell would later cite groups and musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Heart, Black Sabbath, and Queensrÿcheas major influences.
Cantrell attended junior high and high school in Spanaway, Washington and was a member of the high school choir which attended many state competitions. Cantrell was president of the choir in his senior year. The quartet would sing the national anthem at basketball games and win competitions with the highest marks achievable. According to Cantrell, his choir teacher and drama teacher were, early on, his two greatest motivators toward a career in music. When Alice in Chains’ first album went gold, Cantrell sent both teachers a gold record.
Cantrell’s parents divorced when he was 7, and his mother died in 1987 at the age of 43.
In the mid 1980s, Cantrell began a band called Diamond Lie which included drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Starr. The singer and roommate of Cantrell, Layne Staley, also agreed to join while having Cantrell join his funk project which ended shortly after. Diamond Lie gained attention in the Seattle area and eventually took the name of Alice ‘N Chainz, then renamed Alice in Chains.