Mark Lanegan death: Former Screaming Trees singer dies aged 57 as music world pays tribute

Musician was described as ‘a beloved singer, songwriter, author’

Mark Lanegan passed away at home in Ireland (Roberto Finizio/Shutterstock)

Screaming Trees singer Mark Lanegan has died, aged 57.

He died at his home in Killarney, Ireland, with a statement on Lanegan’s official Twitter account reading: “Our beloved friend Mark Lanegan passed away this morning.”

The musician, who also featured on several tracks by Queens of The Stone Age and The Gutter Twins. was hailed as “a beloved singer, songwriter, author”.

“No other information is available at this time,” the statement continued. “The family asks everyone to respect their privacy at this time.”

Lanegan, who often recorded under the name “Dark Mark”, wrote about themes including crime and addiction.

He formed Screaming Trees in his hometown of Ellensburg, Washington in the 1980s, with Lanegan stating 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”.

Lanegan also had a solo career, releasing an album in 1990 titled The Winding Sheet, which featured Nirvana stars Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic.

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 (2001), Bubblegum (2004) and Straight Songs of Sorrow (2020).

Lanegan released another memoir in 2021. The book, titled Devil in a Coma, was inspired by the musician’s near-death experience from Covid-19, which led to hims pending several months in hospital.

He was a close friend of the chef Anthony Bourdain, who died in 2018. In an obituary forThe Guardian, Lanegan wrote: “It broke my heart when Tony died. I loved so much about him. His obvious love for life and for people. His balls-out willingness to do whatever was put in front of him. i was a fan for years before we became friends.”

Tributes have poured in for musician Mark Lanegan (Getty Images)

Tributes for the musician have poured in from the world of music following news of his death.

“Mark Lanegan rest easy mate. A real singer,” wrote Sleaford Mods, with Peter Hook adding: “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.”

Elijah Wood wrote: “Aww man, Mark Lanegan.”

Lanegan released another memoir in 2021. The book, titled Devil in a Coma, was inspired by the musician’s near-death experience from Covid-19, which led to him spending several months in hospital.

He s survived by his wife Shelley Brien.