William DuVall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William DuVall
DuVall performing with Alice in Chains in 2019
Background information
Birth name	William Bradley DuVall
Born	(1967-09-06) September 6, 1967 (age 57) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Genres	Alternative metal hard rock grunge alternative rock heavy metal
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter musician
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1983–present

William Bradley DuVall (born September 6, 1967) is an American musician. He is best known as the co-lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the rock band Alice in Chains. He joined the band in 2006. He took the place of their first lead singer, Layne Staley, who passed away in 2002. William DuVall shares singing duties with guitarist and singer Jerry Cantrell.

DuVall has recorded three albums with Alice in Chains. These include Black Gives Way to Blue (2009), The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013), and Rainier Fog (2018). He won an ASCAP Pop Music Award in 1996 for co-writing the song "I Know" for Dionne Farris. He has also been nominated for three Grammy Awards as a member of Alice in Chains.

William DuVall also helped start and is the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter for the band Comes with the Fall. Since 2016, he has been the lead singer for the supergroup Giraffe Tongue Orchestra. A supergroup is a band made of famous musicians from other bands. Throughout his career, he has played in many bands and different music styles. One example is the punk rock band Neon Christ.

His first solo album, One Alone, was released in 2019.

Biography

DuVall performing in 2009

Early Life and Music Beginnings (1983–1992)

William Bradley DuVall was born in Washington, D.C. on September 6, 1967. When he was 14, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia with his mother and stepfather.

DuVall was inspired by Jimi Hendrix from a young age. He heard Hendrix's guitar playing when he was eight years old.

His music career began in the early 1980s in Atlanta. He played in the hardcore punk music scene. His very first band was called Awareness Void of Chaos.

In 1983, DuVall helped create the hardcore punk band Neon Christ. He played guitar and wrote songs for their albums. Neon Christ became popular and supported many good causes. The band broke up in 1986. They reunited for a special show in 2004 and again in 2008.

After Neon Christ, DuVall briefly played guitar for the band Bl'ast. He also formed a band called Final Offering.

In 1987, DuVall formed the band No Walls. This band was inspired by Jimi Hendrix. They recorded music at Jimi Hendrix's Electric Lady Studios in New York. No Walls released one album in 1992 and then broke up.

In the late 1980s, DuVall studied philosophy at Georgia State University.

Madfly, Comes with the Fall, and Jerry Cantrell (1992–2007)

In 1994, DuVall helped write the song "I Know" for singer Dionne Farris. This song was very popular, staying on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 38 weeks. It reached No. 4 and earned DuVall an ASCAP Pop Music Award in 1996.

In the late 1990s, DuVall started the band Madfly. He was the guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Madfly released two albums: Get the Silver and White Hot in the Black.

In 1999, DuVall and other members of Madfly formed Comes with the Fall. They released their first album in 2000. Their second album, The Year is One, came out in 2001.

In 2000, Comes with the Fall moved to Los Angeles. DuVall soon met Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell. Cantrell liked Comes with the Fall's music. The next year, Comes with the Fall opened for Cantrell's solo tour. DuVall also sang Layne Staley's parts during these concerts.

Alice in Chains and Giraffe Tongue Orchestra (2006–present)

DuVall, Jerry Cantrell, and Sean Kinney performing at an Alice in Chains concert in 2007

DuVall became the lead singer for Alice in Chains during their reunion concerts in 2006. His first public performance with the band was at a concert honoring the band Heart. He sang Alice in Chains' song "Rooster".

According to Jerry Cantrell, DuVall got the job after just one audition. For his first practice, DuVall sang "Love, Hate, Love". The band members were very impressed. Bassist Mike Inez said DuVall didn't try to copy Layne Staley. This is what made them choose him.

At first, the band wasn't sure if they would continue as Alice in Chains. They wanted to honor Layne Staley. But fans were very excited about the new lineup. This convinced the band to keep the name.

In 2007, Alice in Chains started touring again. They played in many European cities and across the United States. They also toured Australia for the first time in 15 years. The band announced they were working on new music.

Their album, Black Gives Way to Blue, was released on September 29, 2009. DuVall shares singing duties with Cantrell on this album. DuVall sings lead on the song "Last of My Kind". He also wrote the lyrics for that song.

In 2011, Alice in Chains took a break from touring. DuVall said it was likely they would make another album soon.

In 2013, the album The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here was released. DuVall sings lead on "Hung on a Hook" and "Phantom Limb". He also wrote the lyrics and guitar solo for "Phantom Limb".

Jerry Cantrell is the main lead singer on Alice in Chains' newer albums. DuVall sings Layne Staley's parts when they perform older songs live.

In 2016, DuVall released the album Broken Lines with the supergroup Giraffe Tongue Orchestra. This band includes other famous guitarists and drummers.

Alice in Chains' sixth studio album, Rainier Fog, came out on August 24, 2018. DuVall wrote the song "So Far Under" and played the guitar solo. He also co-wrote "Never Fade" with Cantrell. They both sing on this song. "Never Fade" was inspired by the deaths of DuVall's grandmother and Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell.

In 2018, DuVall and Jerry Cantrell were ranked among the top rock guitarists.

In 2019, DuVall performed at a tribute concert for Chris Cornell. He played with members of Pearl Jam and other musicians.

Solo Career

DuVall released his first solo album, One Alone, on October 4, 2019. The first song from the album, "Til The Light Guides Me Home", was first played on BBC Radio 1. The second song, "White Hot", came out in October 2019.

He started a U.S. tour to promote the album in October 2019. He also planned a European tour for 2020.

In 2023, DuVall added his vocals to a new version of the song "This Is Mongol". This song is by the Mongolian folk metal band the Hu.

Other Projects

DuVall has appeared in a few films. He was an extra in the 2001 movie Mimic 2. He also had a small role in the 2003 film Confidence.

He directed a documentary film about jazz drummer Milford Graves. The film is called Ancient to Future: The Wisdom of Milford Graves.

In 2011, DuVall reunited with his old bandmates from Neon Christ. They worked on a documentary film about their band called All Alone Together: Neon Christ and Atlanta Hardcore.

In 2018, Framus Guitars released a special "William DuVall Talisman Signature" guitar model. DuVall helped design this guitar himself.

Personal Life

William DuVall has a son. His son was born on March 18, 2009. This was the same day DuVall finished recording his first album with Alice in Chains, Black Gives Way to Blue.

Discography

Videography

See also

In Spanish: William DuVall para niños