Beautiful article. I love it that you don't discuss the ugly side of his death. Just real feelings about an individual who cared so much about others.
I still remember where I was when I found out we had lost him, already sad because we lost Kurt at the same time years prior. We lost so many during this special time when music changed forever. Andy Wood, Kurt, Layne, Mike Starr and then Chris Cornell later on... And I'm sure I've missed someone. The early 90s were such an amazing time in music and very special because we were able to discover music we probably wouldn't have before, because indie and underground music were being played on 120 minutes, on the radio, etc.
I've seen the ugly side of the music industry because I used to work for a label. I was shocked by what artists go through, touring and doing nonstop press along the way. I have no idea how they get any rest.
Maybe that had something to do with these gentle souls becoming overwhelmed...I know there were a lot of things at play with each of them but I'm sure that didn't help.
Thank you for such a wonderful comment, Corey. I remember where I was, too. Same with Kurt and poor old Chris. As much as I miss them, how lucky are we to have heard them in their prime? To have heard them in our prime?
I can only imagine what you dealt with working at a label. Perhaps you saw a few gentle souls yourself, who got overwhelmed or swallowed up or lost forevermore in the swamps of the biz. Lord knows the list is long.
This was a masterpiece Sonny. I could take out Layne's name and put in several more. I remember flying into Santa Fe where I picked up the tour. AIC was opening for Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth on a Clash of the Titans Tour. It was their first shot at the big time. They were just kids. It's hard to believe it's actually been 22 years.
Thank you so much, Daniel. Turns out 22 years can feel like the blink of an eye.
And oh man – Clash of the Titans. From what I recall, AIC subbed in for Death Angel at the last minute, and took a lot of crap from the crowd for being the odd man out. But they stuck it out, those scrappy kids, and won a few fans over in the process. I bet you saw some epic shows from all the bands involved.
My ex (the thrash metal guy) knew the guys at Harpo’s and they let us up in the loft. I remember all the guys being very polite (and impressed with the B.C. weed 😁).
I also met the dudes from Napalm Death and I partied at the Dayglo Abortions’ house (Jesus Bonehead was a sweetheart).
Great piece Sonny. AIC was one of my favorite bands in high school but I never really knew much about them as people, just that they were responsible for some of my favorite songs. I put on Facelift last year on a whim and was blown away by Layne's voice. He never sounded quite like that afterward, but man was he a powerhouse. Had no idea about how he and Jerry met. Had he not been such a generous guy, the world might be the less for not having such incredible music in it.
Thanks, AJ! I binged on AIC to get into the right headspace for the piece. It had been a while since I heard them and, like you, I was amazed. The range, the heart, the power in Layne’s voice. All of it hit me again with all the force it had in the 90s.
And, yeah, turns out Layne and Jerry met at a party. I don’t know about you, but I love learning about fortuitous events. It’s kind of mind blowing when you think about how many amazing bands wouldn’t have gotten together if Lady Luck had looked the other way.
I often go into the Layne Staley wormhole. I was not a fan in those days, but I learned about the myth. Such a sad story about his last few years. Heartbreaking.
Layne died the year I was born. I never had the chance to know him, but I have let his music, talent, and soul enter my life and it was one of the best things that could’ve happened to me. He made me understand that even the best people can have problems that don’t always get resolved by a rainbow or a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s fine. People like this don’t deserved to be dragged through the mud and it pains me that people do. I hope the world continues to keep Layne’s legacy alive!
There was a brief biography that came out shortly after Layne died (Layne Staley, Angry Chair). It gives some insights in to his personal relationships. He was a great frontman.
Thank you, Barbara. I’m a huge fan as well. The details of Layne’s death are so dark and grisly, I couldn’t bear to share them here. Better to honor how he lived than dredge up how he left.
He was truly a force like no other. His stage performances were electric!
Couldn't agree more!
Layne and Kurt--both died on April 5th.
Exactly ten years apart. Spooky.
Beautiful article. I love it that you don't discuss the ugly side of his death. Just real feelings about an individual who cared so much about others.
I still remember where I was when I found out we had lost him, already sad because we lost Kurt at the same time years prior. We lost so many during this special time when music changed forever. Andy Wood, Kurt, Layne, Mike Starr and then Chris Cornell later on... And I'm sure I've missed someone. The early 90s were such an amazing time in music and very special because we were able to discover music we probably wouldn't have before, because indie and underground music were being played on 120 minutes, on the radio, etc.
I've seen the ugly side of the music industry because I used to work for a label. I was shocked by what artists go through, touring and doing nonstop press along the way. I have no idea how they get any rest.
Maybe that had something to do with these gentle souls becoming overwhelmed...I know there were a lot of things at play with each of them but I'm sure that didn't help.
Thank you for such a wonderful comment, Corey. I remember where I was, too. Same with Kurt and poor old Chris. As much as I miss them, how lucky are we to have heard them in their prime? To have heard them in our prime?
I can only imagine what you dealt with working at a label. Perhaps you saw a few gentle souls yourself, who got overwhelmed or swallowed up or lost forevermore in the swamps of the biz. Lord knows the list is long.
You are so right. We were very lucky to have heard these amazing talents in their prime.
Definitely saw some unbelievable and sad things in the business. I wouldn't trade in the experience for the world but it was extremely eye opening.
This was a masterpiece Sonny. I could take out Layne's name and put in several more. I remember flying into Santa Fe where I picked up the tour. AIC was opening for Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth on a Clash of the Titans Tour. It was their first shot at the big time. They were just kids. It's hard to believe it's actually been 22 years.
Thank you so much, Daniel. Turns out 22 years can feel like the blink of an eye.
And oh man – Clash of the Titans. From what I recall, AIC subbed in for Death Angel at the last minute, and took a lot of crap from the crowd for being the odd man out. But they stuck it out, those scrappy kids, and won a few fans over in the process. I bet you saw some epic shows from all the bands involved.
You remember correctly. It happened so quickly they didn’t have much of a song list. They opened and closed their set with “Man In the Box”.
Man I miss him. Hardly a day goes by when I don’t walk the streets of Seattle and encounter something that stirs his memory. Thanks for this post.
I miss him too, dude. Thank you so much for reading.
I met him at Harpo’s when Alice in Chains played, probably around ‘92? It’s all a bit of a blur—we smoked weed in the band room. 💕
Oh, wow, how cool is that?! And just for the record, I’m totally not jealous.
My ex (the thrash metal guy) knew the guys at Harpo’s and they let us up in the loft. I remember all the guys being very polite (and impressed with the B.C. weed 😁).
I also met the dudes from Napalm Death and I partied at the Dayglo Abortions’ house (Jesus Bonehead was a sweetheart).
Again, only the vaguest memories…
Great piece Sonny. AIC was one of my favorite bands in high school but I never really knew much about them as people, just that they were responsible for some of my favorite songs. I put on Facelift last year on a whim and was blown away by Layne's voice. He never sounded quite like that afterward, but man was he a powerhouse. Had no idea about how he and Jerry met. Had he not been such a generous guy, the world might be the less for not having such incredible music in it.
Thanks, AJ! I binged on AIC to get into the right headspace for the piece. It had been a while since I heard them and, like you, I was amazed. The range, the heart, the power in Layne’s voice. All of it hit me again with all the force it had in the 90s.
And, yeah, turns out Layne and Jerry met at a party. I don’t know about you, but I love learning about fortuitous events. It’s kind of mind blowing when you think about how many amazing bands wouldn’t have gotten together if Lady Luck had looked the other way.
I often go into the Layne Staley wormhole. I was not a fan in those days, but I learned about the myth. Such a sad story about his last few years. Heartbreaking.
Well said
Layne died the year I was born. I never had the chance to know him, but I have let his music, talent, and soul enter my life and it was one of the best things that could’ve happened to me. He made me understand that even the best people can have problems that don’t always get resolved by a rainbow or a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s fine. People like this don’t deserved to be dragged through the mud and it pains me that people do. I hope the world continues to keep Layne’s legacy alive!
There was a brief biography that came out shortly after Layne died (Layne Staley, Angry Chair). It gives some insights in to his personal relationships. He was a great frontman.
Nice remembrance. One of my fave bands. The doc about his death haunts me to this day.
Thank you, Barbara. I’m a huge fan as well. The details of Layne’s death are so dark and grisly, I couldn’t bear to share them here. Better to honor how he lived than dredge up how he left.
Thank you for the nice remembrance of an amazing talent who left us too soon.