News Apr 25, 2002 at 4:00 am

Layne Staley's Been Dead for a Long Time

Comments

1
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.
2
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!!!!
3
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.)
4
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.
5
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 !!
6
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!!
7
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.
8
Well Said Sea of Sorrow! Layne was raw and real
9
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
10
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
11
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!!
12
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.
13
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.
14
""""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=)))))))

15
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.
16
@15: You nailed it. The Stranger and it's crew of kiss-ass hack "journalists" is a waste of pulp.
17
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.
18
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.
19
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.
20
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.
21
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.
23
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.
24
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.
25
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.
26
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!
27
You say Staleys voice wasn't alive? Have you ever heard Man in the Box? Laynes angst is something I could understand and it spoke to me , AiC is the only band that I could really relate to. Layne is a legend and this is nothing more then a critical piece on a true rock n roll legend. Yes , Layne just wasn't one of the best in Grunge but of Rock n Roll history.
I can assure you 98% of people disagree with your simply wrong opinion
28
The journalist is entitled to his opinion and we all differ in our musical tastes, so I'll simply beg to differ.
I wanted to make this comment. In reading articles, message boards and all sorts of Layne Staley info, it is VERY apparent that this enormously gifted man, and what he went through has deeply affected an enormous and ever growing surge of individuals from all different age brackets, countries, race, religion and gender. Layne continues to touch millions who pour their hearts out in admiration over this drug addict. I'm astounded when I read message boards of devoted fans who still cry FOR him and then cry for themselves.
Professionals in the music industry must not underestimate how much his tragic life and the intensity of his anguish has shaken up, woken up, people in intense pain who have programmed themselves into "automode" to survive within the prevailing apathy of an uncaring world. Of course we all know that Layne did not survive it.
29
To you that wrote this article about Layne Stayley...just bc he wrote & sang dark lyrics, it doesn't mean that was all he was...dark. Maybe it ended tragically but who knows...maybe we should all quit obsessing over the death & overdose part of his life & look at who he was the other 20 something odd years before. I bet there are more drug addicts than we care to admit these days & no one wants to get addicted & face that it's near impossible to beat but you can be clean. We have all (or at least us human beings with a true beating heart) felt what is in Laynes lyrics at least once or maybe a million times...but doesn't mean we or LAYNE was always in that state if mind. AIC made, wrote & played THERE OWN MUSIC which isn't done as often these days when MTV is no longer "music television" but silly reality shows & applauding knocked up teenagers...sadly it's entertaining most people.I miss bands like AIC and many others. Layne's voice was awesomely original, bold & it just hooked people in & to b a skinny little guy, he had a voice no one can compare too. Maybe he made peace with God & I know his mother has helped addicts recover through his memory. Quit talking smack & ridiculing something or someone you don't personally know & to be honest...I bet the medias shallow mindeness intentions of prying into HIS business & picking apart his life to the public...emphasizing his drug use was probably the reason he didn't care about getting off heroin to a point. Most of the media (not all) have soul or thought to do anything besides pry & lie to make money...what's worse...drugs or lying to make a buck? Back off Layne Stayley...& anyone who ain't around or able to defend themselves especially & get a real mind of your own & a life without using someone elses life to get rich!
30
Well, ok. Everyone who loves AIC and Layne is gonna hate kathleen Wilson, that's a given and we've made it clear. I'm sure more of us will, too, but I'm gonna try to give her a clue.

Kathleen, I get the sense that your disgust with our Mr. Staley comes from the belief that he had given up- thereby abandoning the rest of us, and such a person cannot be reached, which is a slap in the face to someone who might want to be his friend (in the traditional sense.). But realize this: a lot of his inspiration clearly comes from the pain he felt because he Had given up. I don't believe he would have chosen that way of life if he could have helped it. A lot of his lyrics tell the story of being unable to love, of being in a situation where someone loved him and he couldn't love back. Think about what it must have been like to watch companion after companion come forward, try to love him, get hurt, and give up on him.

Still hate the boy?
31
Wow so cold to have wrote such garbage, layne is an awesome singer n AIC is a great band, I did not connect w nirvana, like I connected w AIC,I love this band n layne voice was beautiful to hear, we can connect more to him because he was real n expressed his feelings in his music so well, I find myself singing to the top of my lungs when I hear sludge factory, would, down in a hole, we can yell an sing w him! A voice that will stay with you! Love you layne and wish he was still here, heroin is evil , n has taken so many lives,RIP, now you are free!
32
U write garbage, it's not your opinion that matters , so STFU n write something that is true!
33
I don't hate Wilson, I don't hate anyone, period. I took her silly POS article as a waste of space and she simply is a nobody in the eyes of those of us who truly know how much of an awesome singer Lanye is. Seriously, I know we all have our taste in music and not everyone likes the same music....soooo Wilson's bla bla bla is just her opinion. She has one little tiny voice with one little tiny irrelevant opinion. I'll betcha she's out numbered to the max (way more excellent insightful and truthful opinions verses her one) What I enjoyed was reading what Fox had to say. Screw Wilson ... reminder, I hate NO ONE and I love Layne Staley!!! xo
34
I don't hate Wilson, I don't hate anyone, period. I took her silly POS article as a waste of space and she simply is a nobody in the eyes of those of us who truly know how much of an awesome singer Lanye is. Seriously, I know we all have our taste in music and not everyone likes the same music....soooo Wilson's bla bla bla is just her opinion. She has one little tiny voice with one little tiny irrelevant opinion. I'll betcha she's out numbered to the max (way more excellent insightful and truthful opinions verses her one) What I enjoyed was reading what Fox had to say. Screw Wilson ... remember now, I hate NO ONE and I love Layne Staley!!! xo
35
Yeah you suck you miserable loser . Layne Staley was one of the greatest musicians in one of the best bands ever.Heroin didn't kill Layne .Greedy people putting their demands upon his life drove him away and when people don't get their way the negative comments they feed to the press only cause the person they are trying to get even with to crawl deeper inside of themselves .Those people made him feel so guilty and like he was a failure and he did something wrong . He did nothing wrong and if they would have quit putting incredible conditions on him he would still be here today .I hope I run into to you one day so I can beat your faggot ass .Your favorite singer was Boy George how can you compare the dog shit you call music to the gold and platinum that was Layne Staley? Stick to writing articles on gay bath houses it is what you do best except for sucking dicks.
36
I'm not surprised his mother was handling his death so resiliently. When a loved one is at the pit of their addiction and refusing to get help then you go through the mourning process long before they actually physically die. I'm not saying she didn't love him, or wouldn't have jumped at the chance to get him help if he'd asked but she'd probably began to consider him in a way that was irrevocably tinged with death long before.

As for everyone complaining about the article: shut it. She has just as much right to express her opinions as anyone, and I'll be the first to say that there are many artists who I consider all time greats even though I don't like them at all.
37
I'm not surprised his mother was handling his death so resiliently. When a loved one is at the pit of their addiction and refusing to get help then you go through the mourning process long before they actually physically die. I'm not saying she didn't love him, or wouldn't have jumped at the chance to get him help if he'd asked but she'd probably began to consider him in a way that was irrevocably tinged with death long before.

As for everyone complaining about the article: shut it. She has just as much right to express her opinions as anyone, and I'll be the first to say that there are many artists who I consider all time greats even though I don't like them at all.
38
I am just happy an unskilled journalist is gone. I get what she tried to say, but I agree that she was probably writing it wasted at the Cha Cha with her bohemian cronies lauding her efforts...
39
Music journalism is apparently one of those professions where it benefits one not to have any knowledge of the subject, or a functioning brain. Kathleen Wilson's definitely lacks those things, so she ought to be able to punch her ticket.
40
This chick is a sad excuse for a writer clearly.....Opinions are opinions, but to not add to the article that many many people can relate to the sound and lyrics of AIC is clearly misuse of her being able to write and post her.....what I call a rant. Go listen to some I love you, you love me Barney music and watch some rainbows and be happy......You have no business writing about something like this. You clearly are not listening.
41
Damn, I must continue.......I just cannot for the life of me "get" or "understand" this writer's nonsense. I absolutely baffled. I'm not a huge superfan of AIC, but definitely love the sound that they produced. Really though at the end of the day even if I couldn't relate to any of Their music as a writer, I'd find it very hard to publish trash like this......very disturbing article. Now you have my opinion Kathleen:)
42
one glance at the bottom of this page at her other articles, and it's clear that this bitch doesn't know music. she fits with her time though...music started becoming increasingly talentless and insignificant around '96...right on par with her "journalism".
43
I just say.... Go to the hell!!
44
Your clearly a misinformed unintelligient musically challenged CUNT
45
Anyone who doesn't think Layne is one of the best (or in my opinion THE best) singer songwriters of all time just isn't listening. Every time I listen to Layne's voice I'm still amazed that I always hear something new. Layne's passing was a great loss to music and to those of us who simply loved him for the kind and good and generous person that he was. We miss him every day.
46
when I first heard about Layne's death I thought" no way" I never had an opportunity to meet him ,but his voice & words really always had a huge impact . You know some of the songs would just get you so pumped up ,the music itself could be a drug !. and sometimes the music could really move you to tears (you know like after a certain amount of "the beverage") but what hits me the hardest and still to this day, is just I thought " how sad it must be ,I mean to be that famous and be dead for that amount of time before anyone noticed ..Rest in Peace Layne
Friends and family's everywhere please try to always stay in touch with your loved ones even in the hardest times , that's when they need you the most.
48
'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' this part of your write up is contradicting with the facts of his addiction. Stating that her preferred to stay hooked or didn't have the strength beats the purpose of the brutal honesty of the addiction he was trying to frame through his lyrics. He had made it clear that he wasn't using for the high but because he was at a stage where his body could no longer function without the substance. His liver had failed and God knows what else. Despite his shortcomings, he braved through a few sets and concerts and if he truly didn't care and preferred getting high over public appearance demonstrating his ill-stricken frame, he wouldn't have done that. He did it to show people what kind of damage addiction can do to an individual, he wanted people to see what it did to him, he wanted others to know and not follow his foot steps. He made a mistake and it was too late for him to escape from the horrifying claws of heroin. He was a great singer and his lesser qualities should not pull the focus off his credibilities. There's truly no escape from heroin when you have come to a stage where you body needs it like it needs oxygen. Yes, there were people who were willing to help him but who knows why he pushed them and experience has repeatedly shown that many opted to isolation to save the people they love from a grievous pain and heartbreak. He didn't want them seeing him in a way that will haunt them throughout eternity. Layne Staley was a stage conquering hero, an exceptional talents and a voice that will never fade away then again, even when he could no longer lurch to the lips of the stage to excite the fans, his voice carried the gravity through. The spectacle of death became less dramatic compared to his will to continue living even if it was just for another day. He would be remembered by those who saw past that drug-infused Staley because down under, he was a true human being with so much passion that was unfortunately stolen from us to early in life. May heaven be by his side and for all the suffering he endured in this life, may he get the peace he was searching for in the afterlife.
49
How can this guy call himself a rock fan and not appreciate layne. The beauty of layne was his desperation and hopelessness. Others who suffered from these same human emotions could relate....too bad this guys pre determined bias keeps him from enjoying one of the greats. Jar of flies bro.....how could you be so far off? Youre going to tell me cobain wasnt helpless. His helpless was just more lazy.....kindof a slacker/whiner/give up. Layne was a living grand experiment that let others know it was ok to suffer sometimes....
50
I cannot believe that anyone could speak of him I n that way he was so beautiful and real and funny a d lite hearted u trash a dead man who never did a dam thing to you if you don't like his music his voice than don't fucking listen and don't put your piece of shit opinion out there on a page where people go to remember him and read about how many lives he still affects after being gone for ten plus years all of us who love him would trade his life for yours any day and I wish you could feel an ounce of pain that he and us have felt because u r article was nothing but a bashing session on a person who can't defend himself but we can defend him Layne lives
51
Kathleen, you're nothing but a disingenuous, vindictive, self-promoting piece of shit...FUCK YOU!!!!
52
Reading this, it sounds like the rantings of a bitter ex-girlfriend or something. No sense or reason, just a scathing attack, thinly disguised by backhanded compliments. Or maybe she goes to sleep at night, hugging her trendy little cobain pj's close to her body and whispering "You'll always be my number one Kurt...you pretty, delicate, non-threatening looking man."
It's not the fact she had to mention repeatedly that she wasn't a fan, there seems to be some unexplained venom here. Maybe Layne or Jerry turned her down for an interview. I'm guessing it was Jerry or someone else close to Layne. The reason I think that is because she mentioned nobody bothering to check on him..that's a very obvious dig. She wrote that to wound, to ruffle feathers. Somebody upset her and she has a grudge.
53
Wtf? You do realize that this article is almost 12 years old right?
Are you just now realizing that he's dead too?
You must be crushed.
54
Try someone else, Noman, you're not clever enough to insult me. Yes, well aware of when the article was written. Didn't realise there was some kind of expiration date on public forums. Do you police other sites as well or just this particular one?
55
Appy Polly Loggies
I was simply surprised at a twelve year old article getting bumped up to most commented on status. I read the whole thing before I realized that I'd read it twelve years ago.
I'm new.
I don't mean to sound like an asshole but I am, so it comes out that way.
56
I'm literally floored at the ignorance and self righteousness of this article. Journalism at its worst and most worthless. Say you weren't a fan of their work one more time. I don't think we quite got it. You have added absolutely nothing to readers interested in Layne and his life and his music career. All you did was show you have the maturity and inteligience of a 14 year old girl with a Nevermind poster on your wall. You are worthless and deserve a bitchslap for wasting everyone's time.
57
Noman nobody cares how suprised you are. People find and article and comment on it. Its called the internet that is how it works. There is no expiration date to commenting on something you read. If its not archived and the article envokes a feeling of emotion you want to have known, you can do that. Really not complicated so no need to be an ignorant asshole.
58
Wilson's opinions are of someone who did not connect to AIC music. Layne's voice sounded far from dead!. I have never heard such a well rounded full beautiful voice!. AIC were like a religion in the late 80s and 90s to me and still are, there will never be another Layne his voice was epic a once in a lifetime voice. Wilson's comments of hopelessness with heroin addiction suck! plenty people have beat it and maintenance is not so grim as you stated. After a car accident i was put on pain meds for my back which i have been on since 2000 it is something that can be managed. Deep depression is what finally caused Layne's death yes he overdosed but after losing his girlfreind then years of depression sadly was his demise. miss ya Layne you will always be remembered R.I.P
59
Jesus Christ, just the pure fanboyism of those who are sucking Layne's cock, and are personally insulting Wilson is astonishing! Just because somebody isn't looking at your rock/metal singer as the second coming of Jesus Christ, doesn't mean their opinion is wrong. I loved Layne as a singer, but the fact remains, none of us knew him personally. We vaguely knew of his drug addiction, and his isolation since their Tripod album. With that said, this doesn't allow us to demonize her as a writer, and take her opinion as invalid, simply because she has a differing viewpoint.

I don't understand the hate, the author didn't seem at all trying to insult Layne. Some people just can't grow up, and accept that some people won't like the same things as you. Maybe she was a little rude in how she presented her view on his addiction, but at the same time, none of you are accepting that Layne is at fault for his own death. Addiction is a bitch, I'm sure we all know, but that's not a complete excuse.

If he was some everyday guy who had the exact same addiction, none of you would care. But just because Stanley can sing some good tunes, he's automatically liberated from any criticism. It's pathetic.
60
I find your article nonsense and with some bad attitude to Alice in Chains band and fans and a completely disrespectful totally wrong but why waste time reading your words WHO is Kathleen Wilson???
I bet not even your momma knows your dumb work
61
This article is older than I am...
62
Dear Kathleen Wilson,

I was recently going through historical records regarding the grunge era, including Layne Staley's death, and I was shocked to read the great level of ignorance and disdain towards Staley that you expressed in your piece.

I am writing to say that I hope you have grown and matured as a person since writing the article, since you did use very uninformed, cold, and tasteless words and phrases such as, "career junkies", "It sounded dead to me", "He preferred to stay hook", "Death is a restful option". While it may be true that Staley had given up because of the overwhelming circumstances he faced, it is sad how someone like you would so easily give up on someone with a drug addiction and propose that death might be the best thing for the person.

I hope there are few people like you in the world, as people facing an addiction need help, rather than disdain and cowardice abandonment from others in the face of such a difficult problem.
63
Layne Staley was hands down one of the most (if not the most) influential rock vocalist ever . I will never forget ..I was young and into Metallica and all the "fast stuff" We were "heads" who loved the non-glam Bon Jovi bullshit , and I would watch HeadBangers Ball every Saturday night and sometime in 1990, I saw that dark gloomy Man In The Box video . Layne just had this look with large side burns and this wild hair with dreadlocks. I never seen a white dude with dreads until then. He had this sleeveless vest on with these tight black jeans , and that voice and the harmony of that song just captivated me . He had that raspy sound and then we would turn on a deeper sounding voice like when he sings the part : Oh feeeeeed my eyes. They were so haunting with a 70's vibe to them. They had the drug addiction related darkness of this wicked looking, skinny guy who had this eerie howling voice that went so well with Jerry Cantrell's mercy mellow sounding voice. It was honest . It was real, and anybody that is familiar with the darkness and depressing thoughts and feelings of being addicted to drugs and can't quit , or if you are just a friend or relative of someone that is in the grips of a addiction, can identify with their choice in lyrics and dark sounding melodies . The whole thing was priceless. He nailed it whether it was a careless accident or he intended to have this impression put on us.
64
Addiction kills a anyone in its path. No boundaries. I feel sadness regarding Layne, Kurt, Andrew and all the others. If you suffer from this form of abuse, clean yourself up in their memories. Nothing good is easy. I lost a child the same way.
65
I fail to comprehend why any author would choose to write an article based on one's own negative opinion, pointing out the human frailties of another, especially after the person is deceased.

The character of this writer is apparent, just as the inferior magazine it was printed on.....

"You're a wrinkled magazine."

FYI, when a person passes into the next life, the living should only ring their praises.

It's time everyone focused on the contributions this man made and the amazing talent that he was.

Please wait...

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