Staley reportedly disliked his middle name, Rutherford, and would become upset if anyone used it. As a teenager, inspired by his admiration for Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, he legally changed his middle name to Thomas. His parents divorced when he was seven, after which he was raised by his mother and stepfather.

He attended Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood, Washington. At age 12, Staley began learning to play the drums, influenced by hard rock and heavy metal bands such as Mötley Crüe, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple. During his teenage years, he became increasingly passionate about music, performing in several local bands and transitioning from drums to vocals.

Formation of Alice in Chains

In 1984, Staley co-founded a band called Sleze with fellow high school students. The band later evolved into Alice N’ Chains by 1986, playing primarily in the Seattle area. Eventually, this early iteration laid the groundwork for the more widely recognized version of Alice in Chains, formed shortly thereafter with guitarist Jerry Cantrell. The band became one of the most influential acts in the grunge and alternative metal scenes of the early 1990s.

Among their numerous achievements, the song “Again” from their self-titled 1995 album was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance at the Grammy Awards. The success of Alice in Chains cemented Staley's status as a defining voice of his generation, known for his distinctive vocal style and emotionally resonant lyrics.