Layne Staley: The Tragic Death of Alice in Chains Lead Singer
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2023
- The tragic death of Layne Staley, Alice in Chains Lead Singer
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Layne Staley would be one of the greatest voices to come out of the 90’s alternative rock scene. His demons provided the inspiration for a lot of Alice in Chains music. This was especially evident on albums like 1992’s Dirt, 1994’s Jar of Flies and the following years self titled record. His body of work was not just a story of where he was at in his life, but rather it served as a cautionary tale. His life served as a contrast between a kid who won the lottery and at the same time, a man who struggled for years. Today, let’s talk about the life of Layne Staley.
Born on August 22, 1967 in Bellvue Washington, his parents Phillip Blair Staley and Nancy Elizabeth Staley Layne would reside in the nearby town of Kirkland. Layne’s father was a car salesman and three years later in 1970 his parents had their second child, his sister Elizabeth. Layne would admit to Rolling Stone he had the music bug early on with his earliest memory being looking at the carousel above his crib when he was a baby. By 1974 his father divorced Layne’s mother citing their relationship as being and i quote “irretrievably broken.” Within a year his mother would be remarried to an insurance salesman Jim Elmer who had a child from his previous relationship. Layne would remark years later “no deep dark secrets there. I remember sometimes wondering where my dad was, but most of the time i was too busy running around and playing.” It was once Layne got famous , his father reappeared, but we’ll talk a bit more about that later on in the video.
It was the same year Layne’s life would be changed when his step father took him to an Elton John Concert in Seattle and that’s when Layne knew he wanted to be a rockstar. Layne soon started getting into other groups like Fleetwood Mac and Billy Joel. By the 80’s Layne and his stepbrother Ken, started getting into heavier acts like Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions and Van Halen. Layne would reveal to Rolling Stone “i didn’t know what i was going to play, i started playing the trumpet, then cornet, then drums, id listen to my favourite rock bands on headphones and try to imitate them. But when i was 15, i realized i was getting much better than when i started so i decided i want to sing. At the time i was in a cover band with friends from high school. Layne would credit one of his early bandmates as inspiring him to sing, but not in the way you’d might expect. In one of the band’s Layne played in, he was the drummer and the frontman told Staley he couldn’t sing. Feeling upset sold his drum kit and went an bought a microphone and decided to become a singer. What’s funny is even those close to him including his step brother would echo his bandmates comments
It was by his teen years layne started dabbling in drugs and school took a back seat while music also took over. In high school layne would front his first band a glam outfit named Sleaze and it would be producer Tim Branham who worked with the group on their demo tape Branham would also help Layne with his singing, by teaching him some vocal exercises.. Layne would make his first tv appearance in 1985 on a show about the parents music resource center as you can see here.
It was by the mid to late 80’s Layne was working at a place called the music bank where bands could rent rehearsal spaces and sometimes live in the space. Also present at the music bank, were drugs which Layne indulged in. Darrell Vernon who crashed at the music bank would recall to
Layne Staley would be one of the greatest voices to come out of the 90’s alternative rock scene. His demons provided the inspiration for a lot of Alice in Chains music. This was especially evident on albums like 1992’s Dirt, 1994’s Jar of Flies and the following years self titled record. His body of work was not just a story of where he was at in his life, but rather it served as a cautionary tale. His life served as a contrast between a kid who won the lottery and at the same time, a man who struggled for years. Today, let’s talk about the life of Layne Staley.
Born on August 22, 1967 in Bellvue Washington, his parents Phillip Blair Staley and Nancy Elizabeth Staley Layne would reside in the nearby town of Kirkland. Layne’s father was a car salesman and three years later in 1970 
Видеоклипы
Here’s the Mad Season video I reference ruclips.net/video/NM644AElThU/видео.htmlsi=Uv5veCp3EwhdEtkH
Stp video I reference ruclips.net/video/IRQgj8GwMjM/видео.htmlsi=krnTcQvXuXFBrVCk
this always hurts. i know his struggle. u shouldnt be hard on the addict although u kind of have to be, then they run. like layne did. my partner also died this yr it just dawned on me. i lost 2 friends. she didnt take drugs but it was a tough yr. layne changed me as a singer. my god he opened me up. still love strumming nutshell. peace
Heroin steals the soul. Watched my mother, sister, father and another family member all lose themselves to it. Only my sister remains. I remember looking into her eyes when she was strung out, it was like looking into a sharks eyes. Dull and lifeless.
can you do one on the tragic end of nirvana and kurts death plse... or did you do it already?
@@jasonhuntley4203haven’t done it yet
@@rnrtruestories i'm sure it'll be good, your a great story-tellr and i love your channel ty and god bless...
I cut hair for a living and one of my regular customers was a roadie for Alice in Chains in the early 90's. he has tons of photos of him and Layne hanging out backstage that he has shown me. He said Layne was one of the nicest people he had ever met in his life. RIP to probably the most underrated guy from the OG grunge scene.
PS - Jerry's solo music is fantastic. Check out his 2021 album "Brighten". very positive rock n' roll and roots rock, if you like a little country edge to your rock now and then. Saw him play at the Diamond Ballroom after work while he was touring for the record. incredible show. 👍
@@ghost_to_a_ghost 😊Hell yea ,saw his band kick ass 3 times😊
we rate him. but its good to remind people.
Alice actually came out before the whole grunge scene. I do believe they did not like being considered part of that movement. Not sure but just mentioning it
That’s cool. My brother is a rigger. I hope that if he ever builds a stage for AIC, that he can get me free or discount tickets.
His death wasn't shocking. He knew what he was doing. The most heartbreaking (sigh) thing to me. Is how long he laid there alone...I just can't get over how distanced he was from everyone.
I hate saying this, but I feel like he was definitely on a mission. He knew he was killing himself. He missed Demri and was never the same after she passed. He just had a very slow way of suiciding, by isolating and slamming 24/7. It’s Fkn heartbreaking 💔
It's not uncommon for addicts to gradually cut themselves off from everyone. When I was strung out I just stopped answering the phone and the door unless it was someone bringing drugs. Pretty soon people just stop coming around. I was ashamed of myself because I looked like shit and was too fried to face people. Luckily I got help and gradually climbed out of the hole but only because I had a girl tell me that I was the father of her baby. Suddenly I had a reason to stay alive and to be healthy and clear headed.
It's a shame that someone as bright and talented as Layne Staley would get to that point. He had wealth and a brilliant mind and he could have been traveling the world having adventures but instead he sat in an apartment with the curtains drawn and took drugs til his health deteriorated to the point that he felt like he was beyond help.
@@PlayerToBeNamedLater1973same thing, at first I cut people off as much as possible because all I wanted was to get high and they wanted to go to clubs and bars, at first I refused because being out an socialising would kill my nod, but soon I realised Its not just that, I just hated being around sober people or at least non junkies because I was at a completely different wavelength and couldn't care less about anything they said even tho we were friends for a decade or more. Deeper into the shit I got, it was more isolation. When I graduated to heroin literally THE ONLY people I would meet were other junkies and two of them I would call my friends but we ONLY would meet to score (I was the moneymaker and they had all the contacts and the best street dope if I couldn't get none from darkweb) and then go separate ways. I don't know if we even ever got high together as I had my own studio apartment still so I'd take my dope and go home.
At that point (after 10 years of addiction) I was like 60kg 6'1 with yellowish gray skin looking worse than death. In public I'd either wear a hoodie or some cap hoping noone would recognise me because they would always comment on my looks. No junkie ever did. They never judged, not out loud. Plus I had a job, worked from home so had some inflow of legal cash and probably felt a bit superior to homeless druggies I would score with... even though most of them were addicted for less than 5 years while I wasted 10 years on this garbage, even if in a less intense way.
"It's not uncommon for addicts to gradually cut themselves off from everyone" That's actually almost quite always the norm, sadly...
The disease of Addiction wants you alone and dead
Losing Layne was like losing a friend that I never met. So strange to mourn someone you've never met. But I felt like I knew him and he knew me.
I feel ya and know what you're saying totally.
Especially after all these years to process & grow appreciation for the songs.@@McFarlaneDragonClan
The week of the discovery of his passing, I remember sitting in the cafeteria in high school when a table-mate mentioned he died. Somehow his voice & words & the few songs I could identify with this band plucked at my heartstrings a little. I knew I liked Rooster, Nutshell & Angry Chair & a few others, but was a few years from diving deep into really discovering music. Since then, Alice In Chains is definitely my favorite band from those years. The new singer is really good too, but I'm still not into learning much except the name of the band.
That weekend was really difficult for me, since my dad died on that Friday night and Alice In Chains meant a lot to me. It felt like loosing a father and a good friend in just a couple days, and to this day I cannot listen to Nutshell without thinking about my dad and that weekend.
Same. I Was so devastated when I found out. I miss the talented gifted angry angel.
AIC imo was the best band to come out of Seattle
Godamn right!
I have always said the same. An better than Nirvana.
I’m more of a Soundgarden guy but AIC change is def 2nd and it’s pretty close
Melvins!
Alice In Chains was a force to be reckoned with. Such a great style of music and that voice man
Man. This one never gets easier to hear about. The part where the interviewer asks Jerry “So, he’s better than ever?” is absolutely heart breaking because he knows that’s certainly not the case.
so does she! sick
"He's conditioning himself for the Nagano Olympics"
Frrrr
So not fair to Jerry to be asked that question over and over again
Jerry was angry at the point. He was trying to continue his path solo and he was just completely overshadowed by Layne's fame and he was angry at Laynefor destrying his band. He's written about it, it's in his songs and he has said it in interviews, he has a lot of regrets about his animosity towards his friend at the time. They were young and he didn't realise how much it didn't matter at the end if the day
I was an addict. Heroin and Cocaine. I locked myself away. All my friends started dying. I was lucky enough to get clean, 7 years now but I was there. It’s so sad. Some people can’t be saved.😢❤
God Bless you man!
Coke and dope huh ? Speedball 🫠. Always sounded like a heart attack waiting to happen to me
Yeah same. I lost a couple of friends/acquaintances to strokes and overdose. After I got clean, a friend of mine got raped and murdered. She was four months pregnant.
Speedballs are so risky and lethal but unfortunately so addictive. Unfortunately when we get sucked into that world it's very hard to find any will to leave it the longer it carries on, and generally all sense of danger goes out the window. You're on an autopilot of emptiness.
I OD'ed four times and still couldn't quit for longer than a week. It took me injecting and going into anaphylactic shock from heroin spiked with codeine that convinced me to get clean after being hospitalised. I swear I still recall a darkness and weird blurred fade into light that my sponsor reckons could have been my being on the verge of death. The doctors said I could easily have died had my friend been five minutes later calling the ambulance. I'm five years clean now myself. It doesn't seem that long on paper, but it sometimes feels like a lifetime ago.
Everybody can be saved, but for some people is more difficult and hard to do. I must say that your "rehab" don't work at all. It's ridicolous think that in 3 days you can be out of heroin. People need YEARS in the communities, far from their towns, relatives and friends. They learn to work , taking care about animals, chiken , cows...they learn cooking and respect theirselves and others. It's a long way, but it work.
@@giuliana2610 It can be possible, you're right. People continually say that the only way forward is with programmes like NA, but I actually failed a few times with that. In my case, I had to have SOME will to quit, this talk of handing your will over to a power greater than yourself might work for a lot of people, but we're still human, and we have to be actually willing to accept help and change.
Like you say, you can't carry on as you did. I had to cut off everyone, bar family, and only now after five years clean have I begun re-establishing old friendships where possible with those I haven't spoken to for over a decade (many others won't speak to me anymore, understandably, because I've hurt and cheated them too much over the years). I've taken up cooking, retro gaming again, writing memoirs and stories, running and circuit training, and even playing the bass again, as I pawned both my previous ones for drugs years ago. They've had to become my "vices", because I don't smoke or drink anymore either. It's frightening how easy it is for addictive behaviours to surface though without any balance.
He was so gifted. Weiland, Staley and Cornell are the best voices in grunge. This is not a debate lol
Absolutely!!
Can't forget Vedder. He is going to at a fundraiser here in Tennessee soon. I'd love to go.
Yes
Yes, I’d add Cobain in there somewhere as well.
I Absolutely agree
Layne’s story is such a sad one. He was his own worst enemy. Poor thing 🙏❤️❤️
Most everyone is, sadly...
Layne and I are the same age.
Now I have boys the age he was when he passed. Now I think about his poor mother. Seeing her first born son the way she did. Her accounts of what happened for her that day are absolutely heart wrenching
It’s by far the saddest story of any rocker that passed.
We are all our own worst enemy.
God bless you Layne and thank you for the way you can make me feel.Peace out my man.
That's a wrong way of looking at it, an addict isn't making a "choice" under the same conditions as you would make that choice. Unfortunately, most people assume theyre just a rational, mentally healthy person making a rational decision. For example, almost all addicts are self medicating for a comorbid illness, usually refractory (treatment resistant) depression. For them, the choice is: "DO I take this substance that helps fix my crippling depression when nothing else has, or do I just accept the crippling depression and keep soldiering on as long as possible?" Childhood trauma, usually some form of abuse, is almost always present with addicts as well. Hopefully you can see the duress.
This is why stopping use is so difficult, the underlying problems have to be fixed (treatment resistant depression) before the drug use can be, but paradoxically the reason why they began the addiction was because nothing else could fix that problem....one of the many difficulties and why the abstinence only imposition of America causes so many problems.
Gut wrenching. 20 years later and I'm still looking up stories about his life. Such a horrible loss.
Same 💔
Same brother
Same here. I can't imagine how those 5 Yeats in seclusion were
Layne had the gift of a golden voice. 🎶 No Place To Call Home .. 🎶
Search for "Ring Them Bells". Layne singing with Heart. Such a beautiful song.
Nutshell has been getting me through the toughest times in my life. I love the music video and I love listening to that song while tripping man
Absolutely . When ur down and out hearing that song I can relate
I had such a crush on him and still do
I saw Layne in a three piece suit at the start of their set on Lollapolooza in 93 and it was like 95 degrees that day! Needless to say he took the jacket tie vest and shirt off after playing Would the first song to start the show! Very charismatic singer and great stage presence! His voice very unique and an unbelievable range! RIP Layne!
Layne’s mom said it best regarding his voice: it’s like Nails surrounded by marshmallows! I agree👍🏻 RIP LAYNE❤️
The pictures from him in that suit are some of the first ones that pop up when you google Layne, but I’ve never been able to find any video of the performance of him in that suit.
It’s so crazy how everything is recorded now, but back then even some of the best concerts of all time had zero video recordings
Hey I saw him wearing the same get up in Nashville when Lollapalooza came through here in '93, I'm thinking he also had a cast on his foot, as well. Good times!
I think it was 'razorblades surrounded by marshmallows'
My teenaged kids named my cat Layne after Layne Staley. Proud mama moment right there. RIP Layne ❤
The loss of Layne will never get easier to hear about.
AIC feels underrated despite incredible albums and live performances. No Grammy's and not in the rock HOF. That MTV unplugged performance is all time legendary stuff.
Honestly no one really cared that much when they were around. Yeah I'd see their videos on MTV but during the mid 2000's they had like this RUclips resurgence that made them way more popular than they were at that time in the early 1990s. They've been elevated to god-like status for some reason.
And let's remember that MTV unplugged thing came out in like 1996 and they hadn't released anything in like two years. People had already forgotten about them. We were listening to Bush and Metallica and other bands. Alice came out of nowhere and we said "oh yeah, them" and went back to our normal music.
The Rock Hall is a money making endeavor. Speaking from the inside I’m fine with AIC staying out of there.
@@Bronte866 i disagree, it would help more people discover Alice in Chains and Layne Staley.
love AIC, but rock HOF? They didn't endure long enough for that level, which is so fucking tragic.
@@mave143 Nirvana released 3 albums. AIC released 3 albums plus 2 EP's Dirt and jar of flies alone should get them in. The puppets from the I stay away video are in the Rock Hall of Fame but the band isn't lol
One of the many regrets in my life was never getting to see AIC in concert when Layne Staley fronted the band.
Still one of the best singers of that entire era 🔥
I’m 69 and I still love AIC and Layne Staley’s voice!
I am 60 and still love their songs.
DIRT is top 5 on my list of all time great rock albums. When I was younger that album got played many times on those dark nights I had. It's a miracle I'm still here
His voice brought Alice in Chains music to a whole different dimensions. It’s indescribable.
Layne was so under appreicated while he was around and pretty much hated on by the media for his habits. Just so sad he couldnt find the strength to get out of his downward spiral. heartbreaking
I’m not sure how under appreciated he was…everyone knew he was great…like most rock stars he cared to much about what critics said and thought and was depressed because his fans appreciated him to much.
Absolutely 💯 💔💔💔
wtf are you saying, he was praised all around the world: he reached levels of popularity and respect that, for example, Soungarden have never reached.
on the contrary, he was so popular that people still was hoping for a comeback in the late 90s when it was already pretty clear that he had decided to just be a full time junkie.
young people don't realize that the guy disappeared and basically quit with being a musician in the mid of the 90s and that everything he has done after that point it was because he was pushed to do it.
Layne had a one of a kind voice.
Agreed. The Stone Temple Toilets guy tried to copy him but was a lame failure.
@@hgrunenwaldmaybe STPs first album, which was still great. Everyone was trying to do that voice back then. STPs second album Putple was way more defined and actually had THEIR unique sound
ABSOLUTELY 💯 ❤❤❤
It's the hepatitis that made him give up on life. Back in that day hepatitis felt like a death sentence. He was really depressed about having hep. Just terrible. Such a great man
It broke my heart when he died. His decline… all of it so sad.
Of all of the 90's Seattle bands, AIC was my favorite. Layne Staley is one of the all-time great singers of any generation. He was very relatable for some of us, unfortunately. I listen to Layne every week, whether it's AIC or Mad Season. I'm sad he's not here.
Find "Ring Them Bells".
Same here. And I agree with you
My dad GF used to hang out with them in the 80's and party with them. She said Layne was really nice to everyone
Layne is one of the greatest singers of ALL TIME!! Most people say he's the greatest of grunge but imo he's in the all time greatest running
Indeed Layne and Chris Cornell 😊
Layne's death is heartbreaking, and haunting, when you think about it, he died a recluse in his own home, trapped in the hell of addiction, until he passed.
How is is it tearjerking and haunting? He chose his demise. What is sad he chose not to know Jesus. The only one that could save him. But he rejected Jesus.
@@maggiemae7539what?!
i dont believe that Staley and his band mates ir his friends had a falling out, but what do you do when somebody just wants to be left alone.
to say he had a powerful voice is an understatement, he was the most amazing singer in the last century
Favorite band and Layne is my all time favorite singer. I was a teenager in the 90s and had every Alice CD. Laynes death is so damn tragic
Same here!!!
We love you, Layne 💔
Andrew Wood, Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, Scott Wailand, Chris Cornell...RIP
Chester Bennington too
the connection that i have with him is so insane even though i was born after he died. im forever sorry for the way he was feeling and i will forever miss and love him. layne staley forever and ever.
Layne’s story is such a sad one. His dad only added fuel to the fire. He was so talented but so sad that it’s so easy to find something to make any bad feelings go away. It’s too easy to get addicted. Wasn’t his fault. But I love Layne!
Layne is Laynes fault he became addicted. Not his father, his mother, his sister, the dog, etc.
@@AnAdorableWombat1 it’s not anyone’s “fault” but don’t be so quick to dismiss others hardships with family, siblings and life in general. Some people aren’t as strong as you may be. Maybe a little less judgmental.
@@AnAdorableWombat1it’s government and cartel’s fault. Some people are born addicted and don’t even know it
@@joshuasuggs2379Yep, the traffickers have a lot of deaths to answer for. If the stuff wasn't there, fewer people would use it. I know the Taliban are some bad fuckers, but you've got to give them their dues for destroying as many of the opium crops as possible in Afghanistan. Unfortunately this has allowed for the Chinese to start creating these synthetic opioids, which are actually far more dangerous than heroin. I'm just so glad that I'm clean now. Shooting stuff when there's a chance you'll be shooting gear cut with these synthetics is a terrifying thought.
Staley and Cobain both died on my birthday 8 yrs apart. AIC played a warm up show for the dirt tour in Yakima Wa and I still have the butt of the cigarette Mike Starr (rip) gave me.🤘
That’s crazy man. I’m intrigued to see what a 30+ year old butt looks like
God I empathize so much with Layne. We have two very different upbringing’s but he struggled with depression from childhood issues where I struggled with service related ptsd. We both had/have struggled with drug addiction. Drug addiction to opiates (heroin for him/fentanyl & heroin for me) is fucking hell. I’ve been clean this time since July 17th. A lot of people will see a spoiled drug addicted rock star…. I see a man in absolute hell because you’re never happy in active addiction and to know that he was a hardcore addict to the end is so very very sad and terrifying to me.
I love his voice, I love AIC’s songs. I feel them on a deeper level than a lot of people ever will. Thank you layne for your music. I cannot tell you how much it’s helped me. I’m so sorry you could never beat your demons. May you RIP.
"You're never happy in active addiction" yeah man. Hearing about the various legendary pieces they put out throughout Layne's addiction is kind of saddening to me. Hopefully he enjoyed some of their accomplishments while it happened.
Wolfgirl I don't know you, probably never will, but I wish you the very, very best in your own recovery. The hardest thing I've ever done is pot, but I've seen some of the impacts of addiction, and it's never easy. I hope you are able to find a light to push back the demons. Take it a day at a time. If you've been clean for a couple of months now, that's a great start. I know it's hard. This stranger is wishing you well.
@@greggchambers9716 thank you so much dear internet friend. These words of wisdom and encouragement really go a long way for those of us in active addiction or fighting the good fight in early sobriety. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul. May your days and nights burn bright and be ultimately fulfilled! ❤️🐕❤️🐕❤️🐕❤️🐕❤️🐕❤️🐕💕💗🎉🎊🥳🤩
I live in Seattle, my buddy worked at a coffee shop near Layne's condo in the U District. He'd sometimes go in there and he had a nickname for my buddy, he'd call him Tor Tor. My buddy said he was in pretty rugged shape.
RIP to Layne. Absolute gem
You did a great job putting this together. Very thoughtfully done without a hint of bullshit or sensation. outstanding
Thanks!
I remember when I heard about Lanes death. I was at a Rob Zombie meet & greet and as I was getting my copy of LaSexorcisto signed it was announced on the radio.There were at least 100 people there and you could feel the mood of the room just shift. Rob and I looking at each other, and he just said "Oh Sh**". Everyone there was completely bummed.
Another A.I.C. related video? YESSSS ! 🤟
Out of all of the tragic stories from the Seattle bands, Layne's story ended the saddest.
I was at that final show in Kansas City. My dad took me to that concert I was 14 yrs old. Thanks dad for that great memory!
Thanks for helping to keep the spirit of Layne alive. He was one of the very best vocalists of the last 50 years, no question, IMHO. A+C with Layne were an incredible band- haunted, dark and beautidul, and they are still great to this day. Very cool video, cheers.
Shame that Layne died but thanks for saving thousand other lives including mine. RIP Layne there will never be another you,never in a million years.
The end of this video hit me like a gut punch. I remember the day we got the news layne had passed. I had to pull over and I just had a moment. Layne played a huge part in my life as a teen. I was 22 when he left us, and I’ve never stopped listening to AIC or heeding the lesson he taught us. Too much too soon is never good. Take it slow and in moderation. Great video, btw.
Got to be the best video i've seen on Layne. I named my first born son after Layne. He was and still is my favorite voice in all of Rock n Roll.
I've pulled up my alice in chains mix on my boat alone solo many nights. Depends on my mood. R.I.P. Layne what a great unique voice and sound, one of a kind.
8:32 Makes me so sad! His dreadlocks were beautiful and I’m so sad they were ripped out out of his head like that, what a terrible experience for him. It makes me so upset. I wish I met him in person but his presence would be enough for me!
He was such a wonderful soul. It’s so sad how we lost him. His downward spiral is truly heartbreaking.
A voice unlike any other! Still so powerful and unique to this day!🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️🎶🎶🎶
I absolutely love the way you ended this story. I somewhat assumed that's what "Black Gives Way to Blue" meant but was never certain and I think that is such a Jerry Cantrell way to describe that life goes on. Just as the death of Layne was the end of AIC in its original form, the transformation that happened as the effect of his death changed everyone, you also have the new AIC as the new energy that William brought about when he joined. And it really makes me mad when people bash on William, saying the stupidest crap like "he'll never be as good as Layne". William had nothing to do with what Layne did to himself, nor should he have to pay for Layne's sins. William is a damn good singer, guitarist, seems like a genuinely nice guy and has balls of steel for stepping up and keeping one of my all time favorite bands going. I never got to see AIC when Layne was alive and when he died, I never thought I would but have now seen AIC 3x thanks to AIC allowing William to join and keeping the legacy alive.
Hi dear Good morning I hope my comment didn't sound as a form of privacy invasion your comment tells of a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart which led me to comment I don't normally write in the comment section but I think you deserve this complement. If you don’t mind can we be friends? Thanks God bless you….🌺🌺🌺
The best band from this era by far!! They don’t get the flowers they deserve in my opinion.
I tried to play rock all the time when I babysat my nephew. He's 17 now but only really listens to bad country music but he had Nirvana Unplugged playing and I said he should give Jar of Flies a listen and he said "I love Nutshell " my ❤grew 3 sizes that day. Proud Uncle right here 😊
Hands down the best band that came out of that scene in that era. They’re brilliant. I also think Jerry and the guys did right by the band by not getting a Layne clone when they came back around. William DuVall is such a great fit, and though I love every album they’ve put out since their comeback, Black Gives Way To Blue is a masterpiece, start to finish. That title track is one of the only songs that can really choke me up. I know they caught a lot of shit when they first came back saying “it’s not Alice without Layne.” To me, even though Layne’s voice is so unique and unmistakable, Jerry was the heart and soul of that band for me. He was the main songwriter, and contributed a TON to the lyrics. Which is evident by the same kind of lyricism you see in their post Layne works. Long live AIC. RIP Layne Staley.
Also, brilliant video my friend. As usual.
Still one of my top three favorite bands of all time.
Don't forget his mad season work.. wake up is his auto biography
I agree . It's like Iommi in Black Sabbath. Everyone knows Oz and that is as it should be but that band existed because of Iommi and his vision. Layne Staley was one of a kind but I don't know if we'd know his name if it wasn't for Jerry
Hell yeah😊Saw DuVall twice in Atlanta bands.
Can't remember the names though.
@@Jermeister12 One of them was Comes With The Fall, which was the band he was in when they recruited him for Alice. They were the opening band for Jerry’s solo tour for the Degradation Trip albums. They would open and William would come out and do Layne’s parts of Alice songs they played. So it came together pretty organically.
Layne had such a powerful voice, i fucking love Alice in Chains
Such a sobering video. You did great with this one. R.I.P. Layne. 🌹 It's hard to believe it's been over 21 years and counting now.
Holy shite!! 21 years?? 🤯
that’s perspective. I thought it was ten years ago.
8:10 10:48
13:03
This band seems so much more real than many others from the same era.
Man, the last little bit brought me to tears, and gave me hope. Because life has been a little shadier than sunny, lately. Thank you.
I hope things have been better for you. ❤❤❤
To say that Staley's voice is captivating would be an understatement. A one of a kind. R.I.P. Staley, Cornell and Lanegan, Northwest legends.
Beautifully done! I loved Layne, still do. Such a beautiful soul; he's greatly missed 😢.
Just finished Alice in Chains the untold story yesterday and now this video pops up. gonna be a depressing day
I still have trouble listening to tripod such a depressing album
@@rnrtruestories One of the bleakest albums ever made in my opinion. When I was struggling through real dark times, it became the soundtrack to my life, alongside Songs:Ohia's Didn't it Rain, David Berman's Purple Mountains and Warning's Watching From a Distance among others. It got to a point that the music became my comfortable escape that enabled my depression and hopelessness at the time. Today I take great caution with these incredibly powerful pieces of music, and I do not allow myself to over indulge to the point where their seductive defeatism takes a hold of me - as BGWTB says " I don't want to feel no more, it's easier to keep falling." It's harder to struggle than it is to give up and throw in the towel, and unfortunately tripod is brimming with that hopeless sentiment of giving in. It is my favorite album by the band, but also a dangerous one at that.
That being said, my Fiancé and I would love it if you do a piece on Jason Molina's life. Incredible artist who started out in the 90s with a tragic demise that does not get the recognition he deserves.
Thank you for the awesome videos!
Great book. I enjoyed it, anyway.
Laynes story is just so sad. Breaks ur heart wat he went thru.
Just wish things had been different for him then mayb he still b with us now.
Such a very sad and tragic loss.
His music i still play regularly.
I miss him and his music so much
Thank u for this great video. Always love the ones on Layne
Wished he made better choices.
I remember my first time hearing him. Discovering Mad Season was a new beginning.
I take after his brutal honesty when i talk to people. If he can say what he says about his problems, there's no reason any of us can't do the same 🤷
29:41 hits hard now especially after Chris’s passing. (The little girl is Chris Cornell’s daughter.)
I always see that journalist who was writing the unofficial aic book in these videos, the one who claimed to have talked to him days before his death. No way it's true, he wasn't answering his door for his own friends and family let alone some book writer . Great video as always though
To not answer the door when rock stars are knocking he had to be in bad shape
I just read that Layne never spoke to that guy and was totally against “a book” of any kind. Initially, the other book by that chick that is selling at ridiculous prices, his mom and sister had some input, but when they realized Layne was against it, they cut off participation. In the end, none of the books were authorized by Layne, his family, or any of the band. That says a lot, to me anyway. ✌️
Such a tragic story. I've just been rediscovering Alice In Chains this week, and watching this has made me see some of those lyrics in a different light. The 'black gives way to blue' comment at the end was so touching to me after losing my mum recently.
RIP Layne. Just an amazing front man.
BTW, happy 31st birthday Dirt.
I know that I’ve said this before but thank you for this. I was very close with Layne and Mike Starr, and this is so bittersweet. I particularly loved the “occasionally slept there” part about the Music Bank. Excellent work, brother!
Thanks
That's amazing to me that you were close to them! Layne and Jerry are still my favorite musicians of all time.
Dirt is still my go to and I'm 56 years old!!!! ❤
I just love Layne. His voice was amazing. I would like to say can there ever be a story on him just about his voice and writing songs. How we just love him. Just saying. Thank you for sharing ❤❤❤️
I wasn’t into drugs, but I feel the lyrics.
As always, the research you put into these videos is so, so great. Keep up the great work.
"All this time I swore I'd never be like my old man....."
When a local channel announced his death I yelled at the tv, "God damn it, Layne!" I knew he had problems and was hoping he would eventually pull it together. Addiction and depression is a bad mix. A tragic loss. When I hear Heaven Inside or No Excuses, I get a little teary eyed, not gonna lie.
I met him at a local club after seeing Van Halen (AIC was the opening band). Layne was wasted beyond belief and had the skankiest of skanks hanging all over him. Really surprised he lasted as long as he did being doped up all the time. A real waste of oxygen.
My Mom has a handwritten note from Layne.
It says "Keep shaking it on and off of the catwalk Michelle!" Signed in beautiful cursive Layne Staley.
My mom's kept it safe since he died to remember him by.
SO so sad man I really hate it. Laynes fall into darkness has got to be one of the worst cases of drug addiction I've ever heard.
In a Nutshell I loved the dude, RIP.
Great Job on this Documentary!!.. Very well done 🤘🏻
It's sad when anyone decays slowly due to drug use.
Most creative minds end up destroying themselves and I'm no therapist but I've always wondered why the greatest minds are the maddest, especially with not feeling their worthy of the success when they get it..
Rest easy Layne and Mike.
Hope you found peace...
Thank you for all your superb videos, including this gem. Layne's a legend that will live on in our hearts. He was the greatest, and will forever be missed.
This was beautiful...Thanks for making this cause they have been my go to of all music since the late 80s..
RIP LS
R.I.P. 😢 you had an awesome voice!! The band's music will always be amazing!!!!! 🤘
Layne Stanley was very talented. But, let’s be real. The man did not want to get clean. It wasn’t the record label’s fault, his parents nor his band. It was Layne Staley that demised himself. RIP. Songbird. You were awesome! ❤️
Layne took voice lessons from Maestro David Kyle in West Seattle. He later sent a Gold Record to the Maestro. Everyone that studied with the Maestro we werevlike a family. Because the Maestro had taught his students to project their voices and do operatic scales that is how Layne had such a powerful voice.
He’s such a beautiful soul I love ❤️ is music. Did you ever attend any of is concert?
Bhai, great report! I'm a rabid Layniac and love anything pertaining to him and his music. Dhanyavaad! 🙏 R.I.P. LS/MS 🕊
I worked at the same place in '96 when i heard Kurt Cobain died as I was in '02 when I heard Layne died..I was basically standing oin the exact same place when I heard both..I'll never forget either time.
Saw Alice in Chains in concert in November of 1992, in Norfolk Virginia, at the Norfolk Scope, opening for Ozzy Osbourne. Some guy in the crowd had a can of hairspray, blowing big fireballs, and Layne asked the guy to come up on stage and to do that while they played their last song of the show, Man in the Box. Then told the guy that he could hangout with Alice in Chains, and party afterwards ...
That cycle of dope is insidious, even when you know you need to get out, it draws you back, and if you have a reg stream of money to keep it going, the less you want to be sound people, the more hopeless it gets. RIP brother.🙏
Great video brother. Such a loss. The day that Jar of Flies came out, and I played it the first time was when I decided that I was going to propose to my girlfriend (now wife). AIC means a lot to me and I think Duvall is doing a great job in a tough role.
Thanks. Saw AIC in 2013 with Chevelle it was one of the best shows I’ve been to
@@rnrtruestorieswere you ever fortunate enough to see the original lineup with Layne?
Well, you left me in tears with this one.
You did make this kind of video on them like 8 times, but will watch again. Layne rules
Thank you so much for uploading this video. A.I.C. has always held a place in my heart alongside many of the bands from that era. I always knew about the good and bad that A.I.C. had gone through including Madseason. What I didn't understand and always confused me was how and when all of their events took place. This video has put so much into perspective for me and for that I deeply appreciate and thank you. Layne Stanley's untimely death still haunts me and breaks my heart. RIP Layne Stanley you will forever live on through your music, in our hearts and thoughts. ❤
❤❤❤💔💔💔
Such a sad story. So much talent, personality and humor but he couldnt fight his demons especially after the death of Demri. He was against supporting others drug habits because he wanted better for others because he knew his struggles even though he couldnt take his own advice thats honorable. Regardless, we lost a great vocalist and a true good person.
In my opinion he was the greatest singer of all time its just a shame great rockstars fall into drugs and alcohol
They fall the hardest. There is a tremendous amount of pressure on leads!! Think about it- I’d do drugs too. Especially when they have hundreds of people’s paychecks to worry about! Seriously, pressure from the rest of the band, managers, PR people, roadies, record label, fans….etc. THEN, not even being able to go to an ATM in peace? That has got to suck hard! I’d need a drink or 4 too, before a show. Not to mention the bands that are touring together.
It’s a super hard way to live. I’m not surprised even a little, why or how band members do drugs. Even the straightest of bands- Christian shit bands, probably do a little of this or that.
So fucking sad.... That no one missed him for 2 weeks. I cannot even begin to think of what a horrendous scene that must've been. AIC has been a huge influence on me musically...
Rest in peace Layne
I Skype chatted with Layne through my good friend at the time, Rocco M. From New Jersey a few times before his demise 😢 miss you man💪❤️🔥 always in my heart and soul .. 🙏✌️ I'll see you again 💖🌄🤗😎
Wtf are talking about?
It’s always sad, yet fascinating, the relationship between successful music artists and depression/self medication
It’s not that someone doesn’t want to help themself, it’s that you will say that it won’t happen again and make that decision in your head but then somehow your brain the next day will make an excuse to make it okay and then you question why you are doing it. It’s something we don’t understand ourselves…
As one of the biggest AIC fans out there, I can say that his death and the circumstances of it have affected me deeply. I remember the day he was found. My best friend and I were both huge fans, and we went to this park and, under the influence of multiple substances, we just laid there talking about it and staring at the sky. Though getting high was probably not the best tribute, it was all we knew how to do at the time. It was no great shock when he passed, but the inevitability of it just crushed me. Regardless of the choices or mistakes someone makes in their life, no one deserves to go out that way. Being a former heroin addict myself, I know how easy it is to get hooked, and how hard it is to stop. I could only imagine how difficult it would be with unlimited resources, while dealing with the pressure he was constantly under. Having experienced addiction, and having had a very small amount of success in the music industry, I experienced some of the things he went through, and I just feel this deep connection to him, almost as if I knew him. I regret that I could not have found some way to help him, as I'm sure many people do. It is just such an incredibly sad and unfortunate situation.
Got lucky when I moved to Ohio in 93 , lived 4 miles away from Buckeye Lake Music Center and lollapalooza was a few days away .my mom thought it was some kind of circus and bought me tickets . damn it made for some great memories. I miss Layne and Thornville to , and most of all my mother
A big part of me hates watching these. It's like, I know how the story ends and I'm in tears when it's over. Addiction sucks
Cantrell was on MTV Cribs and I'm interested. Nice house, all the rock star stuff. Along the way he picks up this cat. "This is Layne's cat". Fuck. Just ripped my heart out.
This was a painful one for sure. I loved your past few videos on Scott & Layne. 2 of the best and gone way too soon.
Thanks
Thanks
Thank you to all who request these artists! Great vids lately. 🤘🏻
Our pleasure!