One of Layne Staley of Alice In Chains’ last performances (MTV Unplugged) before disappearing from the public spotlight in 1996. He would pass six years later of an overdose
One of Layne Staley of Alice In Chains’ last performances (MTV Unplugged) before disappearing from the public spotlight in 1996. He would pass six years later of an overdose
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From Wikipedia
> On April 19, 2002, Staley’s accountants contacted his former manager, Susan Silver, and informed her that no money had been withdrawn from the singer’s bank account in two weeks. Silver then contacted Staley’s mother, Nancy McCallum, who placed a call with 911 to say she had not heard from him “in about two weeks”. The police went with McCallum and her ex-husband, Jim Elmer, to Staley’s home. It was reported that the 6-foot (183 cm) Staley weighed only 86 pounds (39 kg) when his body was discovered. Staley’s body was partially decomposed when he was found. Medical examiners had to identify the body by comparing dental records. Years later, McCallum revealed that two days before Staley’s body was found, she went to his apartment to let him know about the death of Demri Parrott’s brother, but there was no answer. When she got the phone call to check on her son two days later, she was not surprised that Staley had not responded. There was some mail by his door. Staley owned a cat named Sadie at the time, who was usually quiet; upon hearing Sadie meow, McCallum became worried it was a call of distress. Still not receiving an answer from Staley, McCallum called 911.
> The autopsy and toxicology report on Staley’s body revealed that he died from a mixture of heroin and cocaine, known as a speedball. The autopsy concluded that Staley died two weeks before his body was found, on April 5—the same day fellow grunge musician Kurt Cobain died eight years prior. Staley’s death was classified as “accidental”.
They also hadn’t played together in a few years before this. Such a good show and amazing performance by Staley.
Such an amazing voice.
Love this album
The whole fucking show is fire
Layne & Jerry’s harmonies are my absolute favorite
I really wish Layne was still with us
We basically lost an entire genre of lead singers to stupid fuckin drugs. Blech.
I missed a chance to see them at Tiger Stadium opening for Kiss. It was one of the few live concerts they did after about 95 or so.
They sold T-shirts that said, “I saw Alice in Chains live in concert. No…really!”
Just been getting back into these guys over the last few months. One thing I’ll say, is while Unplugged was really really good, Layne is a shell of his former self during this time. Jerry Cantrell works some magic for this set supporting the vocals. Kind of makes me sad watching it now, which sucks. Checkout Love Hate Love live on YouTube for a treat. Some many great singers taken too young!
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AIC always holds a special place in my heart for basically saving my life (corny but true). Amazing band with an sad story to tell.
Alice In Chains opened on the Clash of the Titans tour with Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax. After a cold reception from the audience at one show, Layne ends the show with “thank you everyone, we are Motley Crue”
RIP Layne and Mike Starr, hope they both finally found peace
Lane was so loaded he completely lost his place so many outtakes definitely seemed like they had to heavily doctor a pretty rough situation.
When I watched this and heard nutshell, just bombarded me with feelings. Heard it dozens of times prior but I guess seeing him sing it just hit different.
Crazy to think these songs were just the soundtrack for many of us growing up.
I believe he was already missing teeth by this point.
The best Unplugged by a mile.
Friends don’t let friend get Friends haircuts!
Can’t believe how old I’m getting.
Such a phenomenal band. Tragic ending like so many during their era.
Feel so privileged to have seen them in ‘93 when he was still vibrant and present. His voice was amazing and his stage presence was awesome
All things considered, it’s one of THE best live performances recorded. In fact it’s often used as an audiophile reference album. We are very lucky to have this recorded, especially considering Layne’s very sad and tragic demise. Say what you will about MTV, but it did capture some absolutely magical performances in its heyday.
My favorite performance of all time. Unplugged down in a hole.
Scott Weiland went into rehab and AIC ended up opening up for Kiss at the old Tiger Stadium in Detroit instead of STP! I believe it was one of the last concerts that AIC played! Great show, I’m glad I got to see them! Saw Scott later on with Velvet Revolver! Also a great show! RIP Layne and Scott!
His performance of “Nutshell” during Unplugged still makes tear up.
Down in Hole unplugged is one of the greatest performances ever to me
I read an article a few years ago that claimed MTV was frustrated because Layne kept nodding out and Jerry was really struggling with the flu. Still a remarkable performance all things considered.
Hope his wings are no longer denied. Miss you Layne
Hijacking this comment from YT
“This is as close as you’ll get to seeing a man sing at his own funeral”
Especially hearing down in a hole. The version is a god damn swan song. Even though it was about a breakup and not written by Layne. Hearing him sing it just hurts and it’s so beautiful
Wow. This still hits me hard. I’ve written about this before, and have done a couple interviews over the years.. I knew Layne, and worked with him on and off for over two and a half years. Hell, I worked with the whole band. We weren’t buddies. We never hung out in each other’s homes. But had a mutual professional respect. Layne was a sweetheart.. and honestly, he was a junkie. Not by todays standards of “junkies”… but an overtly addicted soul, nonetheless. He was clearly not that interested in the trappings of the business. Not around me, anyway. Nah, that was left to Jerry Cantrell. Nothing wrong with that. I respected Jerry (still do), but running a band/corporation was never Layne’s interest. Homie was an old school artist. At least, that was his attitude.
I’m older now. Hell we all are. Back then, I saw Layne as a fuck up. A guy who wasted way too much energy obsessed with wanting to be high 24/7.. Now I see how sick he was. Breaks my heart thinking about it.
*edit… not a musician or “talent”. I spent several years working for a couple promotion companies. Basically worked 60 hours a week getting bands from gig to gig while on tour. Not the most lucrative career choice..Crazy hard work. But it was an amazing experience.
I still get angry when I hear kids/people idolize Layne and Kurt Cobain. Their talent should never be forgotten. But make no mistake… these were blue collar kids that had real issues with addiction and relationships. And instead of helping them, we put them on pedestals, and never got them help. What a fucking crime. Sorry about the long ramble… I’ll see myself out.
My favorite 90s band. I first heard about them when i watched celebrity rehab way back in the 2000s. 2011? Mike Starr dealt with a crazy opioid addiction
Seeing him come face to face with Layne’s mom, as he was the last person to see Layne. It was heartbreaking.
I began listening to Alice in Chains unplugged and fucking loved it. I found their recorded stuff a bit harder to listen to at first. But after digging deeper and watching live performances, Laynes voice is unmatched. His range is so wide and the power he could put behind it was incredible. I grew into appreciating everything of theirs.
His drug addiction shadowed his career. I believe he didnt even get recognition at the VMAs the year he died. Despite being a titan of the 90s. RIP
I love the Staley / Cantrell harmonies. Gets me every time.
“You, my friend, I will defend. And if we change, well, I love you anyway.”
RIP Layne.
If you look close you see a bucket by Jerry. He had food poisoning from a hot dog the day before and was super ill. Incredible considering
‘Dirt’ is, imho, the greatest album of the grunge era. Definitely a list candidate for top ten greatest rock albums ever recorded.
The greatest sin of MTVs format change is the loss of Unplugged.