Ex-ALICE IN CHAINS Bassist Talks About Death Of His 'Best Friend' LAYNE STALEY; Video Available

February 18, 2010

Nancy McCallum, the mother of late ALICE IN CHAINS singer Layne Staley, makes an appearance in the seventh episode of the new season of the VH1 reality series "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew" — featuring former ALICE IN CHAINS bassist Mike Starr.

A preview clip of this week's episode can be viewed below.

Hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky, the season consists of eight episodes that follow the real-life experiences of celebrity patients undergoing detoxification and treatment at the Pasadena Recovery Center. Joining Starr are country singer Mindy McCready, actress Mackenzie Phillips ("One Day at a Time"),former Hollywood Madame Heidi Fleiss, NBA great Dennis Rodman, Lisa D'Amato ("America's Next Top Model"),former Miss United States Teen Kari Ann Peniche and Joey Kovar ("Real World Hollywood"). Former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler appeared on the show's second season.

ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell slammed "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew" in an interview with an Atlanta radio station. Speaking about the show, Cantrell said, "That particular show, I think it's a real travesty and a shame to put people in a really vulnerable situation like that and make it entertainment for people to see . . . It's just kind of disgusting to me, actually. It's nothing I back. I totally back Mike, and I back his efforts to get clean and remain somebody that I and the band really care about — he's a friend of ours, you know, and we wish him the best. But that show's not really cool."

Referring to the drug-related death of Layne Staley in 2002, Cantrell also said, "Addiction is no joke, and we know that first hand. We lost a good friend of ours to that as well. Mike deserves a better life."

Starr was ALICE IN CHAINS' first bass player and played with the band from 1987 to 1993. He appeared on the band's first two albums, "Facelift" and "Dirt", but left in the middle of the "Dirt" tour and was replaced by current bassist Mike Inez.

ALICE IN CHAINS released its first album in 14 years, "Black Gives Way To Blue", last September. The disc features the band's new vocalist, William DuVall.

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