Late Friday afternoon, on April 19, Seattle learned that another one of its famous musicians had died. Layne Staley, singer and key songwriter for Alice in Chains, was discovered dead from an apparent heroin overdose. To me, the only surprising fact about the discovery is that he lived in a relatively new condo in the U-District. While career junkies and their relatives know that the area in which Staley died is a neighborhood of choice for those with daily and continual heroin needs, most folks assumed the singer was living anywhere but there. I, like many people, assumed he lived in Los Angeles these days. Where his body was found, however, is of little importance, as is the fact that he’d probably been dead for weeks before anyone noticed. What is important, though, is what makes the specifics unimportant: the fact that Staley has been dead for a long, long time.
Staley’s heroin addiction had already rendered Alice in Chains a non-productive band in the Northwest by the time I arrived in Seattle to cover its music scene in 1996. I’d seen them once or twice in Portland, most memorably opening for Soundgarden at a club that was then called the Starry Night. I’d never been a fan of the band, though they seemed like nice people, and my relocation to Seattle failed to change my mind about the group, like it has with Pearl Jam. The live version of “Rooster” made the music no more palatable than it was on 1992’s Dirt, and an Unplugged appearance on MTV again offered no new reason to re-evaluate my opinion. Mad Season, the “grunge supergroup” of 1995 featuring Staley, Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees, and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, just sounded like pure desperation to me.
The band did have many devoted fans, but I wasn’t one of them, so this story will not be packed with maudlin sadness or forced tribute. In the last couple of days, since Staley’s body was discovered, I’ve heard some of his contemporaries comment that Alice in Chains was the band that defined Seattle’s grunge sound in the truest sense of the genre. I disagree, not because I connected with Nirvana’s lyrics and sound more or because it received more attention than all the other bands that found fame under the media-produced “grunge” niche. I disagree because Alice in Chains didn’t sound at all hopeful in its turgid angst, and due to that, I was unable to find solace in it. Most of us listen to music to light a subconscious fire under our asses, either by recognition or resignation. Grunge, as it is known officially, was produced by Northwesterners, and everyone who grew up here is driven by a dark, dank climate that gets into our bones until the summer (not spring, as history proves that April, especially, is a bitch) dries us out. Alice in Chains, and specifically Staley’s voice, sounded like the despair of someone who had already given up, and for good. Staley had a great, versatile voice, but there was no liveliness to it, at least none that I could hear. It sounded dead to me. And now it is.
I recently wrote an article in this paper stating that the Seattle music community needs to look out for its own. Sometimes, though, people do all they can, and after their hearts have been broken enough times–out of crushed expectations and wasted energy–they realize there’s nothing more they can do, and that a person who really, truly doesn’t want to be helped, can’t be. I know that many people–both friends and those who saw him as a commodity–tried to help Staley. He preferred to stay hooked, or didn’t have the strength it takes to get off the stuff. Maintenance is a motherfucker, whether it’s dedicated to sobriety or addiction. Both take every ounce of strength, and neither is fun after the initial glow wears off.
As I’ve stated, I wasn’t even a fan of Alice in Chains, but due to a sheer sense of humanity and the dedicated belief in artistic expression, I feel the loss. No one should be surprised or startled, though, especially considering it took two weeks for someone to get around to even checking on him. The mourning process began a long time ago, people. And given Staley’s tortured “life,” death is a restful option. In a 1996 Rolling Stone cover story, Staley addressed his addiction, and nowhere in the interview did he give the impression that he should be thought of as an icon or martyr. Leave the bandmates, relatives, and friends to mourn authentically. The rest of you: Listen to the records, and then either make your decisions on what to do with your life from the example set, or don’t.
LAYNE STALEY
REMEMBERED
by Matthew Fox
I met Layne Staley at an Alice in Chains show, in May of 1986 at Kane Hall. They had just changed their name from Sleze, and, like any hardcore metalhead faced with glam rockers, I was skeptical. We were introduced, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that Layne’s ego wasn’t nearly as big as his hair.
In the early days, Alice in Chains embodied the stereotype of struggling musicians. They were all living in their rehearsal space in the old Music Bank, and often ate thanks to the generosity of female fans. We spent many late nights indulging in what George W. Bush likes to characterize as “youthful indiscretions,” and boy, were we ever indiscreet. In 1987, when Alice considered adding a second guitar player, I was up for the gig. It didn’t pan out, and I have occasionally wondered how different my life would have been if it had.
Though I didn’t join AiC, Layne and I remained friends. I still remember when AiC gave my band Bitter End an opening slot for them at the Central Tavern during the 1988 Final Four weekend–we made $600, an amazing sum at the time.
I also had the privilege of being the first rock writer in town to cover the band when I did a feature story on them for Backlash in 1988. Perhaps the greatest irony in Layne’s death is that rock critics who previously shrugged off Alice in Chains will now discover what a vital and influential band they really were.
I went to Seattle Center for the impromptu memorial that was held last Saturday, and it struck me how I often only see old friends after a tragedy nowadays. All of the members of AiC were there, along with other old timers, and everyone was taking Layne’s death very hard. Truly inspirational, though, was the strength of Layne’s mother. I hadn’t met her before, but she was there consoling Layne’s friends and fans at a time when she deserved support herself. I am still amazed by her resilience.
I’m only 35, and I’ve lost three close friends in the last year, including my high school pal and longtime Bitter End roadie Damon Teras, big Pete Blasi from NAF productions, and now Layne Staley. I guess it may be some comfort to think that Layne is together again with his longtime girlfriend, Demri (she died of complications from drug use several years ago). One of my favorite early AiC songs was a tune called “Chemical Addiction.” Written in 1987, long before heroin chic hit Seattle, it included a lyric that turned out to be all too prescient: “I don’t know much about heroin, but I want to try just about everything once before I die.” Rest in peace, Layne. You will be missed.
Oh, and heroin fucking sucks.
ALTHOUGH I DIDN’T LIKE WILSON’S OPINION OF LAYNE, ONE LINE RANG VERY TRUE WITH ANY ADDICT:
“Maintenance is a motherfucker, whether it’s dedicated to sobriety or addiction. Both take every ounce of strength, and neither is fun after the initial glow wears off.”
BY THE END OF THE ARTICLE, I APPRECIATED HER POINT OF VIEW, THO CONFLICTING FROM MINE.
I WILL ALWAYS LOVE THE MUSIC OF AIC, FROM BEFORE AND IN THE FUTURE (WILLIAM), AS WELL AS FEEL DEEPLY THAT A GREAT LOSS WAS SUFFERED THE DAY LAYNE’S VOICE WAS FOREVER SILENCED.
What an ass! Your article is complete rubbish. Layne Staley was by far the best singer of our generation and what right do you have putting him down? You evidently know nothing about it. Thanks to this ignorant article I won’t ever be reading Rolling Stone again. Big Thumbs Down!!!!
I must say I feel a bit disappointed after reading this… Although it`s just somebodys honest opinion, I don`t see the point of writing such articles. Alice in chains and Layne Staley means so much to so many listeners out there, and there is no need for other peoples less-positive opinon.
I have great respect for Layne Staley as a singer, but also as a person. As I`m listening more and more to his voice, it’s almost like I`m getting to know him a little bit.)
We all can’t be prissy little kiss ass journalists, some people struggle with life! Some people get fucking cancer and die! You going to rag on them next.
that 1st article is bullshit… I grew up on Layne 1st hearing his voice at age 6…. I am now 24, that was my hero. I wanted to sing just like him as a child. Kurt couldnt lace laynes boots…… Long Live Staley !!
More collumnist junk. Besides, you aren’t from Washington…..You moved there, so you have no idea what growing up there is like and you deffinately can’t comment on someone like Layne who tears your talents to peices!!
everyone hates this article!! yes.. including me! ..not to say that the writer cares about our mundane opinions.. but to understand and appreciate AIC, you need to go where the song takes you. You listen and go for the ride. yes, it is depressing, yes.. it is mostly about drugs and the all the pain life offers. But when I hear layne.. I feel apart of me being freed. He lets out every pain and desperation I have in me, and we ALL have it in us.. somewhere. Anyone dissing Layne’s voice and talent is a person who thrives on critiqing and focuses on details that aren’t meant to be focused on. and anyone can do that with any band..or anything for that matter!! But of all bands in the 1990’s..AIC is the most powerful..It takes you away… so shut up and go for the ride, and his voice will take you on one hell of a journey..if you let it.
Well Said Sea of Sorrow! Layne was raw and real
this is a crappy article by a person who’s musical taste obviously blows as big as their own stupid horn. Who cares if you didn’t like AIC or Staley’s talent. AN article supposed to remember him is instead a piece of garbage where “never was a fan” kept showing up in almost every dumb paragraph. Everyone will remember Layne, but not you lady, not a fan of your mediocre and crappy journalism. RIP Layne
Yep she’s a horrible piece of garbage just like her article. Layne had one of the most definitive voices ever I can’t say enough positive about what he did. God rest his soul
What a fucking bitch! This article made me so sick to my stomach I couldn’t even read the whole thing. There will never be another Layne Staley! If it weren’t for Layne Staley I would have never made it through my teenage years. Even if you have never done drugs, you can still relate and feel the emotion through his songs. The pain, the suffering. I have never met him, I was 13 when he died, but I always felt that whenever I was having a bad day, or battling depression that he was the only one in the world that knew how I felt. Listening to him sing is what gave me a reason to live.
“No one should be surprised or startled, though, especially considering it took two weeks for someone to get around to even checking on him. “
That disgusts me and it hurts like a knife to my heart. I’ve read several articles and it’s clear that he pushed everyone away. When you’re that bad into drugs, you want to be left alone. How do you know people didn’t call and check on him! How do you know people didn’t come by his apartment. Sean Kinney said that even if you could get into his building, that he wasn’t going to come to the door or answer the phone!!
Even though someone should have discovered his body sooner, that’s a terrible way to die. Alone. Can you imagine what his last day on earth was like? For you to sit there and act like no one cared.. it’s terrible.
“Where his body was found, however, is of little importance, as is the fact that he’d probably been dead for weeks before anyone noticed.”
What a cold hearted journalist bitch!!! Imagine someone saying that about you after your dead and gone! You reap what you sow!!
I’m tired of hearing about how Layne did drugs. Layne was more than a drug addict. He was a son, a brother, a friend and a hero to some. He was a human being that had a big heart. His bad habits did not define him as a person and he has touched more people through a few Alice In Chains albums than most people do in a lifetime of making music. I’m thankful that he recorded as many songs as he did with Alice In Chains and Mad Season. He’ll never be forgotten.
I don’t have a voracious attachment to AiC, so this comment isn’t coming from that place. It’s coming from a writer who gets tired of reading poorly written articles. And the comment is this: Katleen Wilson’s article reads like a 13-year-old wrote it. It is so bungling in its attempts to communicate, I’m surprised she is paid to do this. I struggle to find work as a writer, so it pisses me off to read sentences like hers.
“”””ALTHOUGH I DIDN’T LIKE WILSON’S OPINION OF LAYNE, ONE LINE RANG VERY TRUE WITH ANY ADDICT:
“Maintenance is a motherfucker, whether it’s dedicated to sobriety or addiction. Both take every ounce of strength, and neither is fun after the initial glow wears off.”
BY THE END OF THE ARTICLE, I APPRECIATED HER POINT OF VIEW, THO CONFLICTING FROM MINE.
I WILL ALWAYS LOVE THE MUSIC OF AIC, FROM BEFORE AND IN THE FUTURE (WILLIAM), AS WELL AS FEEL DEEPLY THAT A GREAT LOSS WAS SUFFERED THE DAY LAYNE’S VOICE WAS FOREVER SILENCED.””””
I couldn’t have said it better myself=)))))))
Note to Kathleen Wilson,
If you moved to Seattle to cover “the music scene” in 1996, you were already far too late. And the fact that you just don’t seem to “get” the music is further proof of that.
Lastly, I didn’t navigate to this article to read you delve into your life as a moronic hack of a journalist writing for a half-ass rag of a publication. I’m on this page to read about Layne Staley. So next time disregard the talentless nobody of whom the public does not give two shits (see: You), and focus more on the real subject at hand.
Sometimes I’m shocked anyone would be satisfied with a lot in life as pathetic as yours. Then I actually read your material and remember that you’re so incredibly idiotic, it’s unlikely you even realize how pathetic your state of affairs have become.
Kathleen, it’s a damn shame you were born when you were, and not today. After all, modern abortions are so much more reliable, and likely to actually eradicate the fetus, rather than just leaving it deformed and retarded, as was the case with you and your degenerate mother.
Too-da-loo, dear.
@15: You nailed it. The Stranger and it’s crew of kiss-ass hack “journalists” is a waste of pulp.
Wow did you need to mention several times how you werent a fan? We got that when you wrote it the first time, no need to drone on about it. AIC is by far one of the best bands that came out of WA. Yes the lyrics are dark, but also very theraputic. Ive gotten through some of my worst times listening to them.
Layne had a gift. Not just hos voice, but how he was able to touch so many with it. It was pure, raw and sliced through your soul. It stung, it hurt and also healed.
People might think his life was a waste, but it wasn’t. He was sent here to do what he needed to do and when it was over, he was called back.
Theres an old saying. “I’m not of this world, I’m just passing through”. I think that sums it up in a nutshell.
I miss the 80’s sound in music, as much as I love living in the future, I do miss the era of Seattle I grew up in primarily for the music. If you don’t “get” AIC then you don’t “get” Seattle back then … and probably shouldn’t be writing on the music page, at least not about someone from that era.
People make mistakes, shit happens, he paid for his mistakes, end of story, but AIC was a great band, and that’s what we should remember.
Just the argument Kathleen whoever tried to make…she disagreed w/ the fact that AIC was the band that most defined Seattle’s grunge sound, merely b/c she didn’t find their music hopeful & was unable to find solace in it.
“Most of us listen to music to light a subconscious fire under our asses, either by recognition or resignation.” That’s EXACTLY what AIC did. People f**** recognized their own misery, sadness, hopelessness in Layne’s voice. And they found hope in the fact that if someone else could feel the way they did, then it was ok. And, they found solace.
“…and specifically Staley’s voice, sounded like the despair of someone who had already given up…” Yeah, as if this wasn’t capturing the voice of a generation, duma**.
To this day, nobody can touch em.
Just the argument Kathleen whoever tried to make…she disagreed w/ the fact that AIC was the band that most defined Seattle’s grunge sound, merely b/c she didn’t find their music hopeful & was unable to find solace in it.
“Most of us listen to music to light a subconscious fire under our asses, either by recognition or resignation.” That’s EXACTLY what AIC did. People f**** recognized their own misery, sadness, hopelessness in Layne’s voice. And they found hope in the fact that if someone else could feel the way they did, then it was ok. And, they found solace, even if you didn’t.
“…and specifically Staley’s voice, sounded like the despair of someone who had already given up…” Yeah, as if this wasn’t capturing the voice of a generation, duma**.
To this day, nobody can touch AIC.
And by the way…just the fact that people today are commenting on an article that you wrote about Alice in Chains, almost ten years ago, should tell you what band most defined Seattle’s “grunge”sound. If you don’t know, you don’t know.
Fuck off, you uninformed and biased ‘writer’. Stick to subjects you know, and comments that do not insult the memory of dead people. You are disgusting and disrespectful. Apparently your mother failed to teach you about what to do if you have nothing nice to say…I guess I’m unimpressed by her the way you are shortsightedly unimpressed with Alice in Chains. Grunge was NOT sunbeams and flowers. Get over it and write about something you can coherently report.
Miss Wilson – and I use the term “miss” lightly. How DARE you – a new comer to our city dare to eulogize a member of our community, our music scene, our family. There was no reason for you to (repeatedly) state that you were not a fan. It came across quite clear from this hatchet job of an article that you refer to as “journalism”. This was most definitely NOT an unbiased opinion piece. This was a bitter, pissed off, personal attack, for what reason we shall never understand (did he blow you off for an LA interview? Did he attack your favorite artist The Culture Club? What???) Regardless as to what your reason is, the facts stand – AIC and Layne – had monumental talent. Even before they were signed we knew they would be stars. And we were right. I guess the entire world must be wrong and you are right. I guess the music critics, the awards – all a bunch of morons, unlike Miss Kathleen Wilson (who?) who knows everything. Do the world a favor. Keep your personal opinions to yourself and please leave Seattle. You are not wanted here and your lack of talent is surely not needed here. Be gone with you – now.
She IS gone…been gone, and not replaced with a music writing staff that is more knowledgable or better spoken either. The Stranger is and has been a piece of shit, nepotistic local scene ruining rag for years and I have eagerly and long awaited the day people would wake up and realize that. That day is NOW. Back when this was written there were SO MANY “newbies” to Seattle flocking in…for various reasons, and with the death of the long time REAL local music rag (The Rocket) The Stranger filled the gap and became pretty much THE source for “whats happening” in Seattle to people who didn’t know where else to look. As a result, many great local acts were completely ignored. If her “taste” is any indication…well, you can see how that could dramatically change the “popular” idea of whats happening in a scene. Now half the popular bands around here sound like a douche commercial. Rant/rave….point is for ME, fuck Kathleen Wilson, glad shes gone and hardly anybody who is a mover and shaker in the music scene here now even remembers her…unless your old like me. Layne Staley was brilliant, whether you got him or not is a matter of personal taste, but to bash him after he died was about as low as a journalist could go. She probably wrote it at the Cha Cha lounge at 1:30 am wasted. I lost my bandmate and best friend that same day to a heroin overdose, I did not even know he was experimenting with the stuff and was shocked. The king County Coroner picked him up right after Layne, they went to Harborview together…dead. Very sad and memorable time for me. There was a strain of very “pure” dope going around apparently at that time and there was a major spike in the cases of overdoses in Seattle. That would have been a smarter and more thoughtful article…for a journalist I’d think, but what do I know? I’m just an avid reader and musical urban gormandizer. R.I.P. Layne…AND Mike Starr.
Quite frankly, the way you disrespect Layne, I’m not so sure that AIC would want you as a fan, Wilson! They are too good for you!