This took such huge balls for Layne....hell, the rest of the band. He was in SUCH bad shape. Still....sang like a god. Not many people get Alice, some do. This was hard to watch for us that do get Alice. Thank for taking this one, love your channel. RIP Layne.
Layne was a master at breaking ‘all the rules’ when it comes to technicality. He defied them. Many concerts he sings from a crouched position with zero effort- incredible. In this set, he is obviously unhealthy, has lost some of his teeth, and just a shadow of himself. Yet, with very little effort, he is still powerful in a haunting way. Stedfast are his fans-we will always think of him with loving reverence and consider him truly one of the greatest!
@@janedoex1398 Hmmm... Cornell, Chester, & probably Kurt? Most people have Kurt in their top 5, but I do not. Can't stand Nirvana, idek why, just can't. No hate to anyone that does like them though! Care to guess my top 5? Staley's #1, always.
This is not only the best MTV Unplugged, but the best concert in music history. And beautiful amazing Layne is the best musician ever! No one has so much talent as Layne!
I honestly wonder if he was just a little tired too, that far into the song considering the state of his health at this point. I always suspected that that pause was partially to get a small break and recover a little energy too.
I remember when Jerry talking about Layne encouraged him to do alot more with vocals and these two together, there will never be anything that can top it!
They explain in a another video why they sing together like this ,yes, Laine wanted Jerry singing more, Jerry wasn't very confident and Layne was pushing him
Oh. Why is he reading off the sheets? Why is there smoke there? What’s wrong with his posture? Dude, you’re watching a man singing at his own funeral due to massive drug addiction. How could you not see that??
Yes he was a drug addict and sick in that way but during this show he was messed up. Jerry talks about how Layne did a shot of heroin right before they went on stage and Jerry had food poisoning from a bad hotdog.
@@daniellysohirka5079 yes, I work at a rehab, Ive admitted so many clients who tell me they just shot up the last of their heroin right before they got there; I have NEVER been able to tell, if they hadnt confided, I wouldve never known they werent sober.
@@joejones9520 You become accustomed and normalized to it. You still feel the high, but once you reach a certain state of addiction/dependence that high BECOMES your sobriety, to a point where actual sobriety feels more like a really bad high and using just becomes a reset, if that makes sense. Hence why with a lot of addicts you can’t tell that they’re not sober. Granted you stated you work in rehabilitation so I doubt this is news to you. Just felt to share my thoughts
Agreed I've buried fuckin 1.5 friends to heroin for every year 22 years I've been out of high school. And used heroin ever since my senior year fighting, dieing,..two open heart surgeries an institutionalized years of hurt. Im I think I'm ready to fly either direction to eternity or onto a better chapter of my life. An he had just lost Demri days before this video. I can't imagine, I guess a love for your brothers an a want for prolly enough money to be ok until he died got him to wake up that day an go sing. I feel that you feel him Sadie an I love that. A true lover
The reason for his poor posture was because he was sad, sick, and dying on the inside. What a loss to the music world. One of my all time favorite singers, definitely one of a kind. When they harmonize on the line "I'd like to fly" it still gives me goose bumps.
@@dietdrkelp8887 he was very high during this performance. Jerry was worried about him during this because Layne had done so much heroin they had to pump him back up with cocaine to wake him up. Jerry was furious Layne did not practice before the performance at all and then the whole band was amazed Layne didn’t miss a beat. Yes. Layne was very sick and fragile at this point.
But Layne DID miss a beat. He kept fucking up over and over and over. It took way longer than necessary to film this because they had to start over so many times.
He stopped because he was high on heroin and probably nodded off for a minute. This performance was an extremely emotional one for AIC fans at the time as we hadn’t seen Layne for awhile. Speaking for myself, I was horrified and horribly saddened when he walked on stage. He was a ghost. I, personally, cried throughout the concert as I believed heroin had won and Layne had embraced that. The lyrics of the song changed meaning with this performance, from girlfriend breaking up with you to I’ve given up hope. “I’d like to fly, but my wings have been so denied”. Breaks my heart to this day😢😔. RIP Layne😢🥺🖤
I’m an ex heroin addict and when I watch this performance it brings me right back to that hell. It’s so sad that he couldn’t kick it. I can’t imagine being a heroin addict with unlimited funds. It’s almost a death sentence.
@@incontruth4116 i don't get the mind of an addict, but all i can say that , he was a genuine funny guy, i watched a lot of videos of him talkin and makin jokes... Is so sad knowing he died alone in his house.. nobody deserves to die alone...
Aw surely you know he was so so ill from heroin addiction at this stage. Most of the time he has his eyes closed. He was a wonderful performer and even at this depth of addiction, he delivered. R.I.P. Layne
His eyes aren't closed he's reading lyrics on the music stand. He's looking down and he doesn't open his eyes very wide. But yeah he had done some heroin right before he went onstage. He was still amazing
Man, I still can't listen to this performance of this song and not LOSE IT when he sings "Down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved". You can just see and feel that he really, really feels that.
This was such a beautiful performance, but man, so hard to watch. He was so far gone at this point. I remember crying though the entire set because it hurt so much to see him so deteriorated. And yet, still so powerful. Losing him, Kurt, Chris Cornell...so many greats that are no longer with us. All with such a unquiet voice. I'm so glad I was alive when they were all at their peak.
I had a very sad interaction with Layne backstage at a big show - his addiction was very much at the forefront and it was just consuming him. This unplugged show was just incredible - right up there with Nirvana's (yeah, come at me AIC fans, I like them equally for their unique qualities) - despite being written by Jerry, man do these lyrics relate to Layne '...I have been guilty of kicking myself in the teeth...' - it was a tragedy to lose the incredible music we could have gotten from Layne (and Kurt).
As a bigger Nirvana fan than Alice in Chains, comparing their 2 Unplugged albums i have to admit that, to me it is not even equal, i do like the Alice in Chains one more. It's like Layne was just completely singing from his soul, and the versions of their songs sounded incredible while remaining simple . Still my favorite Unplugged album to this day!
Hey bud....so fun and enriching to see you light up at around 3:30 where you see Layne and Jerry harmonizing so epically. I appreciate you and the renewed vigor you help me have and enjoy re-experiencing some of my favorite music. Keep being awesome, Bro. Also, I think the part at the end where Layne lets Jerry just have some of the song wasn't rehearsed, but was a subtle gift and "in the moment" decision by Layne. I feel like I almost saw him give a grin towards Jerry's way at a part of that. Knowing that this would be (I think) The second to last live stage performance with Layne, I feel he was giving his good friend and real mastermind behind AIC a respectful nod. Jerry had often said that when he found Layne, it was like hearing the voice he (Jerry) wishes he had. Layne knew this and respected Jerry a lot, in my opinion, and this was likely just a nice little tipping of his hat. But hell, I don't know. Just how I feel...
He was very sick that night from drug use. He actually had one of his best performances that night and that was the first time they played together in 3 years. In my opinion, best Unplugged.
I think Layne was intentionally subduing his voice so he wouldn't overpower Jerry. Jerry's voice is so smooth and Layne's is gritty, but their pitch is perfectly intertwined. ❤️
@@Daniel_25 of thats heroin the yes but I've been clean and sober for many years now but once that stuff has you in its grips it's very, very hard to get out of but I love Layne Stayley, my oldest sons named after him
@@Lizzie-h3j I’ve had morphine drip one time in a hospital setting and it was lovely. Literally a warm deliciousness from pain and anything else I could care about washed over my chest. Just on the surface I can see the appeal
@@Daniel_25 I started taking it late in life, at the age of 35. My son had left home for uni and I realised id never lived by myself, my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer and I was in DV relationship so I escaped all that pain by taking heroin. It was wrong but I saw no other way. I got clean when my father passed away that will be 4 years now.
at 12:55 i think Layne stopped the high part in the harmony to let Jerry's voice ve heard. it's been said that Jerry was originally not wanting to sing but Lyane talked him into doing it. It's obvious Jerry has a wonderful voice and Layne knew that so that's my speculation
Right around 11:58 he nails it. Layne's empathy. As a person yes, but it extended to his artistry. He was a generous, nurturing artist who needed no spotlight; and he so clearly loved Jerry, and wanted him to excel.
Layne always wanted Jerry to sing more.. he really had a lot of respect on the mic when they did harmony as we all know Layne's voice has power.. even as sick as he was during their performances on Unplugged, Layne was a consummate professional on stage.
Great reaction. I have to say, as a recovering herion addict, that he is so broken by the time they perform at this show. I read that he was actually dope sick during this performance, or did just enough to not be sick. Either way, probably contributing to the way the performance comes across. My heart breaks every time I watch a video from this performance, sometimes I cry. He was such a great performer, and just reminds me of my last days, so broken and a lost soul. RIP Layne
you gotta remember at this time layne was in the throws of a heroin binge and was high as hell during the performance, also he hadnt performed with alice in chains in 3 or 5 years(cant remember) so that is why he had the lyrics in front of him, he couldnt remember them all. If you watch the full show he did mess up a couple times and they had to restart the song. sad to see since this was his last live performance. you can see jerry looking at him at times and he just has sad eyes on his face he knew the end was near for his long time friend. fun fact though layne was classically trained since he was a kid to maximize his rough singing voice which is why he is able to hit the notes he can, very talented man.
@@ko0974 unfortunately I have some past experiences on the subject and Layne was definitely not high as hell here. Unless he did what I used to do and evened myself out with meth to be able to go to work.
I got to see AIC twice and hearing Layne sing it sounded like his voice came from his mouth and chest . Watching this on MTV was like watching someone sing at their own funeral , knowing how sick Layne was . RIP
13:00 mark area you’re discussing the part of the vocals where Layne and Jerry switched harmonies and this has been intentional from the beginning. I would have loved to be there to have actually witnessed the birth of this masterpiece in its infancy but both Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell are musical geniuses who had every intention on specifically creating this incredible piece, and many others, of literal modern musical masterpieces.
One of the most bitter-sweet performances ever. Such an incredible show - but Layne was suffering so much too. I've 'been there, done that' with the same struggle he had and have the hospital receipts to show for it, it's just so hard seeing him go through that, having the experience to know what he's going through. Hard/Beautiful to watch performance
"Down in a hole and I don't know if I can be saved" his plea for help. His pain just oozes out of him in his vocal tone and lyrics! Such sad, yet beautiful honesty, and artistry. When the singer can cause you to feel what they feel, when you weep as they weep inside, that’s artistry, real genuine authentic pain bleeding through the singer. God, I wish I could have helped him!
I keep coming back to watch this...layne one of my favourite singers .but I think its seeing the joy and admiration you get from him ...its lovely to see ..
Btw. I’m subscribing. I enjoy evaluating performances with you, though honestly it’s only my second one and they both of Layne. I’m a huge fan, however just wanted to say keep up the good work on your channel and I look forward to seeing more videos.
Layne was always very supportive of Jerry singing, Jerry was perfectly happy just playing the guitar and doing backing vocals from time to time. But Layne wanted Jerry to sing more, that's why they used more and more vocal harmonies later on. And since Layne had the more powerful vocals, they often had to turn the volume down on his mic so the vocal harmonies would come out right. But I guess they failed to do that here so Layne just instinctively turned away from the mic a bit to tone down his vocals.
That’s just soul and deep connection between his own life and lyrics it’s much more than a technical performance this is a rare pure golden touch to the meaning of life
This was their first performance in four years due to Layne's heroin addiction, and rumor has it he shot up right before this performance. He was deteriorating by this point, and it's easy to see. To address why he stopped during some of those harmonies he was probably lost in the haze of being high on heroin. In the studio version they don't stop harmonizing.
Basically he was dying and doped out of his mind and still made a great show.... his eyes are rollimg back in his head and he cant remember lyrics... really sad to see but this was his funeral performance and he still killed it
In the song on the original on the album they continue to sing that one part together but Layne in my opinion wanted to respectfully allow Jerry moments to shine since through their career together he always pushed Jerry to sing more since they were his songs. This performance NEVER gets old. I grew up with this & still 1 of my all time favorite songs. So deep. It goes to the depths of your own struggles while understanding & feeling their pain as well. Its odd Jerry wrote this over a girl but it paired with Laynes addiction & depression as well. The band & the vocals all blended so perfectly 🥰
As I am watching, just now you paused the song to give commentary, and Jerry Cantrell is staring at Layne with a captivating expression of love and fear, almost awe. Jerry almost can't believe that his extremely high buddy, Layne, is able to keep up..even with the printed lyrics right in front of him.
No idea why people keep saying that he was high as fuck. Layne said himself that for the most part of in the end of his life he shot heroine to feel normal or not sick and not to get high.
@@wm1573 I have not seen too many artists with lyric books for songs they wrote, or at least performed for years. Or wear gloves to hide needle scars, or wear sunglasses in a dim room..
@@wm1573 just because Layne didn't do it to get high does not mean that he was not high. Kurt Cobain usually excused his heroin use because he had stomach pains. Many drugs make the user build up a tolerance. Just because they don't feel high, doesnt mean they aren't.
@@johnshinkle4219 ....and? of course they're not sober if he injected himself with a fucking drug. my point he's not wasted and unable to sing or sit down there because hes "high as fuck". your comment literally makes no sense. also you might wanna check again, like 98% of artists wear sunglasses inside. lmao
@@johnshinkle4219 That's not what wm is talking about. People suffering heroin addiction will literally be sick with flu-like symptoms just from not using for a little while. That's what they call "dope sick." They use, at that point, just to stop feeling sick. That is what the addiction does to the body. Someone who was there stated Layne used just enough before the show to function. Not enough at his stage of addiction to achieve a true high. We're not saying he was totally present and normal, far from it. But no, he wasn't blissed and nodding, either. He was barely holding it together, which is what makes the whole thing so painful to watch.
I highly recommend AIC unplugged Rooster 🐓 again written by Jerry Cantrell but the powerful preformance by Layne singing so powerful and personal, I thought he (Layne) wrote it but nope Jerry wrote it for his dad trying to capture his dad’s Vietnam war experience. And Mad Season with Layne on lead vocals. I honestly don’t think I would have seen you at a Alice show or Lollapalooza
Laynes vocal range was off the charts so strong..beautiful.. His music always makes me cry.. He had Also lost his girlfriend through drugs.. R. I. P layne.. . I hope you are smiling now ♥️
Layne sang from the soul. His soul was troubled those who listen with troubled souls can relate. Apart from that he had a great vocal range and voice. Jerry Cantrell is a great artist and singer as well. With this type of music you can like the sounds and rhythms and realise that they have obvious talent. But the meaning and lyrics really make these songs shine. What makes great music is talent and the ability to sing from the soul.
I seen Alice In Chains at Lalapalooza in 1993 when I was a sophomore in high school and they were fantastic. 1992 Lalapalooza was also incredible with The Chili Peppers,IceCube,Ministry,Soundgarden,Pearl Jam,Rage,Cypress Hill House of Pain and the coolest part was after Ice Cube finished on the main stage here in Phoenix a announcement was made that “Temple of the Dog” was on the second stage. So many people ran over there. They were not on the playbill but since Soundgarden and Pearl Jam were already there they decided to perform and for me it was te highlight of the festival. We talked about it that whole week at school. I was a freshman in high school and my friends and I went to Lalapalooza from 1992-1995. The 90’s just had the best music from every genre. From hip hop to rock to metal. Every genre had the best bands,groups and artists like 2Pac,Biggie,Nas,Jay Z,EPMD,WU-Tang,Cypress Hill and that list goes on and on to bands like Soundgarden,Alice in Chains,STP,Tool,Korn,Deftones,Nirvana,Metallica,Megadeth and that list goes on and on. We just don’t see that today,which I miss.
Definitely true, a lot of people incorrectly say he had already lost most his teeth but at this point he still had them, they were just likely in bad condition and he was very self conscious about them so he hid them the best he could.
I don’t think any 1 gets sick of ppl doing AiC Unplugged reaction, so thank you for this!! I believe they had a set filled w/candles to be different than Nirvana’s. Layne & Jerry’s cannon is absolutely gorgeous here. & Layne does know how to belt things out on stage w/use of mouth & full body support i.e. “Love, Hate, Love.” I’d gotten the dvd for this performance, some songs he uses a lot of distortion but others he can be as clear as a bell. I was hoping you could take a request for some1 in my wheelhouse as a pianist, Tori Amos. My favorite album is “Scarlet’s Walk,’ & albums 1-4 are 👍🏻. She’s very prolific & has a lot live in YTland😁. Thanks in advance if you ever do a react😇!!
Your analysis and observations are very much appreciated, coach. The reason Layne and Kurt Cobain get away with smoking, heavy drug use and bad posture is because they both knew this would not last long. They may have been in a heroin haze, but they gave it all because they were both aware they were never doing a greatest hits concert when they were 57. Like Kurt said, it's better to burn out than fade away.
I believe on their song “Sludge Factory” during this set they had to restart around 7 times because Layne messed up or switched around lyrics. And this was one of their first performances as a band in a while at the time so I guess it makes sense he was locked in on the stand.
6:53 pretty sure the reason was that Metallica was in the front row, and Layne was very uncomfortable with that, as James Hetfield mocked him when he had to pull out of the tour because of his addiction.
He's slumped down because he's high as hell on H. And he doesn't open his mouth all the way because his teeth are rotten and half missing at least. Beautiful person with a beautiful voice suffering from a horrible disease. RIP sir I hope you finally found happiness somewhere.
Ken where have you been, my friend?? Yep, they’re using candles 🕯 all over the place. I believe, if I’m not mistaken, to be different than Nirvana’s set. I’d gotten the dvd for this Unplugged performance which you just wanna watch over & over. Jerry & Layne’s cannon is just gorgeous together. If you see Layne on other stage performances, he knows how to belt things out with both his mouth & body support. But yes, much more subdued here, & I sooo want that bass guitar, even tho🎹’s my wheelhouse. Btw, just wondering if you haven’t already, could you do a react to Tori Amos - she’s got 30yrs of a prolific catalog, my fave album being ‘Scarlet’s Walk’ besides #’s1-4…doesn’t really narrow it down, sorry😁😁😇!
"You don't wanna forget your lyrics like some performers do...". Layne did, in fact, forget the lyrics during "Frogs". They had to start the song over. It was a beautiful moment between him and the rest of the band. You could see them support him. They were just laughing it off.
The reason why layne randomly stopped singing after “down in a hole” is because he forgot what came after down in a hole. Sometimes “loosin my soul”, sometimes it’s “out of control”, sometimes it’s “feeling so small”. Lol that’s my guess, at least.
In the 90s I was in my 20s and I did not notice how fragile he was at that time …… now I am in my 50s and it makes me sad …….. still a Musical milestone, greetings from Berlin Germany 🇩🇪
This took such huge balls for Layne....hell, the rest of the band. He was in SUCH bad shape. Still....sang like a god. Not many people get Alice, some do. This was hard to watch for us that do get Alice. Thank for taking this one, love your channel. RIP Layne.
Well said.
Concur completely. Just wanted to say RIP to Mike Starr as well...
Best vocal harmonies ever. One of the best rock bands ever. Layne will ever be remembered. He was an absolute monster.
Dude, he was missing a heap of teeth when he did this ... and it was still this good. His deterioration was sooooo sad. Such a talent.
Hard to watch. 🥺
Layne was a master at breaking ‘all the rules’ when it comes to technicality. He defied them. Many concerts he sings from a crouched position with zero effort- incredible. In this set, he is obviously unhealthy, has lost some of his teeth, and just a shadow of himself. Yet, with very little effort, he is still powerful in a haunting way. Stedfast are his fans-we will always think of him with loving reverence and consider him truly one of the greatest!
Yes he is still one of my most beloved 4 ones. Guess the other 3 . All dead now.
That is the truth.
His crouch position is so iconic💗 Layne is the best vocalist in rock history 👌
Well said. Unique, mesmerizing, sublime... even on his hardest days.
@@janedoex1398
Hmmm... Cornell, Chester, & probably Kurt? Most people have Kurt in their top 5, but I do not. Can't stand Nirvana, idek why, just can't. No hate to anyone that does like them though! Care to guess my top 5? Staley's #1, always.
This was Layne at 20% capacity and could still mesmerise an audience and 100000s more on youtube to this day.
This is not only the best MTV Unplugged, but the best concert in music history. And beautiful amazing Layne is the best musician ever! No one has so much talent as Layne!
Layne stopped singing sometimes to make Jerry sing more sometimes, as Layne was a big believer in Jerry’s vocal ability
You can tell by the smile of Layne that he indeed purposefully did it
I honestly wonder if he was just a little tired too, that far into the song considering the state of his health at this point. I always suspected that that pause was partially to get a small break and recover a little energy too.
I remember when Jerry talking about Layne encouraged him to do alot more with vocals and these two together, there will never be anything that can top it!
They explain in a another video why they sing together like this ,yes, Laine wanted Jerry singing more, Jerry wasn't very confident and Layne was pushing him
Oh. Why is he reading off the sheets? Why is there smoke there? What’s wrong with his posture? Dude, you’re watching a man singing at his own funeral due to massive drug addiction. How could you not see that??
Even as sick as he was he still blew everyone away. So much talent and so sorely missed. RIP layne.
I love this whole show, it's just really hard to see Layne so sick 😭
Yes he was a drug addict and sick in that way but during this show he was messed up. Jerry talks about how Layne did a shot of heroin right before they went on stage and Jerry had food poisoning from a bad hotdog.
@@kentuckybeardsman he would of had withdrawls if he didnt
@@daniellysohirka5079 yes, I work at a rehab, Ive admitted so many clients who tell me they just shot up the last of their heroin right before they got there; I have NEVER been able to tell, if they hadnt confided, I wouldve never known they werent sober.
@@joejones9520 You become accustomed and normalized to it. You still feel the high, but once you reach a certain state of addiction/dependence that high BECOMES your sobriety, to a point where actual sobriety feels more like a really bad high and using just becomes a reset, if that makes sense. Hence why with a lot of addicts you can’t tell that they’re not sober. Granted you stated you work in rehabilitation so I doubt this is news to you. Just felt to share my thoughts
Agreed I've buried fuckin 1.5 friends to heroin for every year 22 years I've been out of high school. And used heroin ever since my senior year fighting, dieing,..two open heart surgeries an institutionalized years of hurt. Im I think I'm ready to fly either direction to eternity or onto a better chapter of my life. An he had just lost Demri days before this video. I can't imagine, I guess a love for your brothers an a want for prolly enough money to be ok until he died got him to wake up that day an go sing. I feel that you feel him Sadie an I love that. A true lover
The reason for his poor posture was because he was sad, sick, and dying on the inside. What a loss to the music world. One of my all time favorite singers, definitely one of a kind. When they harmonize on the line "I'd like to fly" it still gives me goose bumps.
yeah he was on heroin... But still Layne was such a beast, even with all that, he can sing like a god... i miss Layne a lot..
GREATEST Unplugged set ever!!!!
This is such a sad and moving performance. Layne was so sick and fragile at this point.
@@BigTek9 r u serious
@@dietdrkelp8887 he was very high during this performance. Jerry was worried about him during this because Layne had done so much heroin they had to pump him back up with cocaine to wake him up. Jerry was furious Layne did not practice before the performance at all and then the whole band was amazed Layne didn’t miss a beat. Yes. Layne was very sick and fragile at this point.
But Layne DID miss a beat. He kept fucking up over and over and over. It took way longer than necessary to film this because they had to start over so many times.
@@TheMDistortion especially on sludge factory. They rolled with it great tho
@@TheMDistortion once
He stopped because he was high on heroin and probably nodded off for a minute. This performance was an extremely emotional one for AIC fans at the time as we hadn’t seen Layne for awhile. Speaking for myself, I was horrified and horribly saddened when he walked on stage. He was a ghost. I, personally, cried throughout the concert as I believed heroin had won and Layne had embraced that. The lyrics of the song changed meaning with this performance, from girlfriend breaking up with you to I’ve given up hope. “I’d like to fly, but my wings have been so denied”. Breaks my heart to this day😢😔. RIP Layne😢🥺🖤
I’m an ex heroin addict and when I watch this performance it brings me right back to that hell. It’s so sad that he couldn’t kick it. I can’t imagine being a heroin addict with unlimited funds. It’s almost a death sentence.
@@incontruth4116 i don't get the mind of an addict, but all i can say that , he was a genuine funny guy, i watched a lot of videos of him talkin and makin jokes... Is so sad knowing he died alone in his house.. nobody deserves to die alone...
Aw surely you know he was so so ill from heroin addiction at this stage. Most of the time he has his eyes closed. He was a wonderful performer and even at this depth of addiction, he delivered. R.I.P. Layne
His eyes aren't closed he's reading lyrics on the music stand. He's looking down and he doesn't open his eyes very wide. But yeah he had done some heroin right before he went onstage. He was still amazing
@@stephaniemickolio1442 he did crack right before the show not heroin
@@larryfreeman6942 I’ve always heard it was heroin but who knows
You can smoke crack AND be a heroin junkie simultaneously. H and coke mixed together is a speedball, which is what he ended up overdosing on.
@@TheMDistortion Yes
Man, I still can't listen to this performance of this song and not LOSE IT when he sings "Down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved". You can just see and feel that he really, really feels that.
This was such a beautiful performance, but man, so hard to watch. He was so far gone at this point. I remember crying though the entire set because it hurt so much to see him so deteriorated. And yet, still so powerful. Losing him, Kurt, Chris Cornell...so many greats that are no longer with us. All with such a unquiet voice. I'm so glad I was alive when they were all at their peak.
If you watch carefully during the end when layne stops singing during what would have been harmonies you can see him glance towards jerry and smile.
I had a very sad interaction with Layne backstage at a big show - his addiction was very much at the forefront and it was just consuming him. This unplugged show was just incredible - right up there with Nirvana's (yeah, come at me AIC fans, I like them equally for their unique qualities) - despite being written by Jerry, man do these lyrics relate to Layne '...I have been guilty of kicking myself in the teeth...' - it was a tragedy to lose the incredible music we could have gotten from Layne (and Kurt).
As a bigger Nirvana fan than Alice in Chains, comparing their 2 Unplugged albums i have to admit that, to me it is not even equal, i do like the Alice in Chains one more. It's like Layne was just completely singing from his soul, and the versions of their songs sounded incredible while remaining simple . Still my favorite Unplugged album to this day!
Hey bud....so fun and enriching to see you light up at around 3:30 where you see Layne and Jerry harmonizing so epically. I appreciate you and the renewed vigor you help me have and enjoy re-experiencing some of my favorite music. Keep being awesome, Bro.
Also, I think the part at the end where Layne lets Jerry just have some of the song wasn't rehearsed, but was a subtle gift and "in the moment" decision by Layne. I feel like I almost saw him give a grin towards Jerry's way at a part of that. Knowing that this would be (I think) The second to last live stage performance with Layne, I feel he was giving his good friend and real mastermind behind AIC a respectful nod. Jerry had often said that when he found Layne, it was like hearing the voice he (Jerry) wishes he had. Layne knew this and respected Jerry a lot, in my opinion, and this was likely just a nice little tipping of his hat.
But hell, I don't know. Just how I feel...
Nobody synced up the way Jerry and Layne did. Just beautiful.
Absolutely! I don't think there ever was or will ever be a duo like Jerry and Layne, they just fit together so well!!
He was unmotivated, fragile, and missing teeth, and still did amazing
"What's my motivation here?"
@@TheMDistortion Metallica was sitting in the front row as special guests of the performance. that likely was some motivation.
He was very sick that night from drug use. He actually had one of his best performances that night and that was the first time they played together in 3 years. In my opinion, best Unplugged.
I always come back to this band when I'm sad or depressed. Their music is like beautiful pain.
We miss you Layne…great reaction Ken!!
I think Layne was intentionally subduing his voice so he wouldn't overpower Jerry. Jerry's voice is so smooth and Layne's is gritty, but their pitch is perfectly intertwined. ❤️
Posture? LAYNE?! Dude, he was REALLY REALLY HIIIIIGH. That he was _vertical_ was a feat in and of itself!
Im surprised he didn't fall off the stool, no judgement I've been that high many times
@@Lizzie-h3j how dope is it
@@Daniel_25 of thats heroin the yes but I've been clean and sober for many years now but once that stuff has you in its grips it's very, very hard to get out of but I love Layne Stayley, my oldest sons named after him
@@Lizzie-h3j I’ve had morphine drip one time in a hospital setting and it was lovely. Literally a warm deliciousness from pain and anything else I could care about washed over my chest. Just on the surface I can see the appeal
@@Daniel_25 I started taking it late in life, at the age of 35. My son had left home for uni and I realised id never lived by myself, my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer and I was in DV relationship so I escaped all that pain by taking heroin. It was wrong but I saw no other way. I got clean when my father passed away that will be 4 years now.
at 12:55 i think Layne stopped the high part in the harmony to let Jerry's voice ve heard. it's been said that Jerry was originally not wanting to sing but Lyane talked him into doing it. It's obvious Jerry has a wonderful voice and Layne knew that so that's my speculation
I love the harmonies between layne and Jerry
This is my early teen years. But right now I am down in a hole so this is soothing
Layne was so supportive of Jerry's singing ability. Their harmonies are one of the many things that made this band so incredible. RIP, Layne. 😔
Right around 11:58 he nails it. Layne's empathy. As a person yes, but it extended to his artistry. He was a generous, nurturing artist who needed no spotlight; and he so clearly loved Jerry, and wanted him to excel.
As a heroin addict back then, I feel the dark overtones and helplessness in his delivery. One of their best
His vocal ability is just incredible... RIP to one of the true great voices of all time
The best acoustic live album ever!
This is live think about that no voice machines no manipulation pure talent on display
they sing the way the song is suppose to make you feel. RIP Layne.
Layne always wanted Jerry to sing more.. he really had a lot of respect on the mic when they did harmony as we all know Layne's voice has power.. even as sick as he was during their performances on Unplugged, Layne was a consummate professional on stage.
I think it was just Layne's way of encouraging jerry to sing more , since he had always told jerry that he should
Great reaction. I have to say, as a recovering herion addict, that he is so broken by the time they perform at this show. I read that he was actually dope sick during this performance, or did just enough to not be sick. Either way, probably contributing to the way the performance comes across. My heart breaks every time I watch a video from this performance, sometimes I cry. He was such a great performer, and just reminds me of my last days, so broken and a lost soul. RIP Layne
I just can't even tell you how happy and that you explained Lanes voice thank God for you
One of my favorite vinyls. He killed this concert even in the shape he was in.
I envy the fact you have this on vinyl. I need to find it
Still my favorite MTV Unplugged album to this day
I’m glad I was born in time to experience this feeling
My favorite performance of All time ❤❤❤❤
Every time Layne sings I get goosebumps.
you gotta remember at this time layne was in the throws of a heroin binge and was high as hell during the performance, also he hadnt performed with alice in chains in 3 or 5 years(cant remember) so that is why he had the lyrics in front of him, he couldnt remember them all. If you watch the full show he did mess up a couple times and they had to restart the song. sad to see since this was his last live performance. you can see jerry looking at him at times and he just has sad eyes on his face he knew the end was near for his long time friend. fun fact though layne was classically trained since he was a kid to maximize his rough singing voice which is why he is able to hit the notes he can, very talented man.
Layne was not classically trained...and was not high as hell here..just enough to stop him getting withdrawals
@@ko0974 I don’t think he had classical training specifically but he did do a lot of vocal training still.
@@ko0974 unfortunately I have some past experiences on the subject and Layne was definitely not high as hell here. Unless he did what I used to do and evened myself out with meth to be able to go to work.
Layne was in choir growing up
@@Kyle-fz9gc I never heard that but I wouldn’t doubt it. I seen a Jerry Cantrell video and he said he was in choir.
Tradeoff of vocals at the end is 100% intended and how the song was written.
Jerry Cantrell has said several times in the past that Laynes voice was so powerful that he could hear him over the equipment while performing...
Every time I flip through UA-cam and see a reaction to Alice In Chains it draws me right in.
I got to see AIC twice and hearing Layne sing it sounded like his voice came from his mouth and chest . Watching this on MTV was like watching someone sing at their own funeral , knowing how sick Layne was . RIP
13:00 mark area you’re discussing the part of the vocals where Layne and Jerry switched harmonies and this has been intentional from the beginning. I would have loved to be there to have actually witnessed the birth of this masterpiece in its infancy but both Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell are musical geniuses who had every intention on specifically creating this incredible piece, and many others, of literal modern musical masterpieces.
One of the most bitter-sweet performances ever. Such an incredible show - but Layne was suffering so much too. I've 'been there, done that' with the same struggle he had and have the hospital receipts to show for it, it's just so hard seeing him go through that, having the experience to know what he's going through.
Hard/Beautiful to watch performance
I’ve said it a thousand times, magical... Layne….
"Down in a hole and I don't know if I can be saved" his plea for help. His pain just oozes out of him in his vocal tone and lyrics! Such sad, yet beautiful honesty, and artistry. When the singer can cause you to feel what they feel, when you weep as they weep inside, that’s artistry, real genuine authentic pain bleeding through the singer. God, I wish I could have helped him!
Your smile at 3:15 is literally the perfect reaction.
Ken, your reactions are wonderful and informative. I really enjoyed this video.
I keep coming back to watch this...layne one of my favourite singers .but I think its seeing the joy and admiration you get from him ...its lovely to see ..
For Layne to have this much voice control with being so sick AND high on heroin is extraordinary. We miss you Layne…
On of my top 3 favorite bands including Tool
Btw. I’m subscribing. I enjoy evaluating performances with you, though honestly it’s only my second one and they both of Layne. I’m a huge fan, however just wanted to say keep up the good work on your channel and I look forward to seeing more videos.
Layne was always very supportive of Jerry singing, Jerry was perfectly happy just playing the guitar and doing backing vocals from time to time. But Layne wanted Jerry to sing more, that's why they used more and more vocal harmonies later on. And since Layne had the more powerful vocals, they often had to turn the volume down on his mic so the vocal harmonies would come out right. But I guess they failed to do that here so Layne just instinctively turned away from the mic a bit to tone down his vocals.
That’s just soul and deep connection between his own life and lyrics it’s much more than a technical performance this is a rare pure golden touch to the meaning of life
I will never understand how some people can watch such sad performances with a smile on their face.
Thanks for saying what I was thinking. I couldn't agree more.
I love your reaction to this. It does my heart good to see other people enjoy the amazing music I grew up on 💜
it’s so sad to think that layne was so far gone already at this point
Alice In Chains MTV Unplugged performance is, in my view, THE greatest live acoustic performance ever. Played this CD until it wore out.
This was their first performance in four years due to Layne's heroin addiction, and rumor has it he shot up right before this performance. He was deteriorating by this point, and it's easy to see. To address why he stopped during some of those harmonies he was probably lost in the haze of being high on heroin. In the studio version they don't stop harmonizing.
Basically he was dying and doped out of his mind and still made a great show.... his eyes are rollimg back in his head and he cant remember lyrics... really sad to see but this was his funeral performance and he still killed it
Layne and Jerry’s harmonies were fantastic.
In the song on the original on the album they continue to sing that one part together but Layne in my opinion wanted to respectfully allow Jerry moments to shine since through their career together he always pushed Jerry to sing more since they were his songs. This performance NEVER gets old. I grew up with this & still 1 of my all time favorite songs. So deep. It goes to the depths of your own struggles while understanding & feeling their pain as well. Its odd Jerry wrote this over a girl but it paired with Laynes addiction & depression as well. The band & the vocals all blended so perfectly 🥰
One of the best unplugged performances
As I am watching, just now you paused the song to give commentary, and Jerry Cantrell is staring at Layne with a captivating expression of love and fear, almost awe. Jerry almost can't believe that his extremely high buddy, Layne, is able to keep up..even with the printed lyrics right in front of him.
No idea why people keep saying that he was high as fuck. Layne said himself that for the most part of in the end of his life he shot heroine to feel normal or not sick and not to get high.
@@wm1573 I have not seen too many artists with lyric books for songs they wrote, or at least performed for years. Or wear gloves to hide needle scars, or wear sunglasses in a dim room..
@@wm1573 just because Layne didn't do it to get high does not mean that he was not high. Kurt Cobain usually excused his heroin use because he had stomach pains. Many drugs make the user build up a tolerance. Just because they don't feel high, doesnt mean they aren't.
@@johnshinkle4219 ....and? of course they're not sober if he injected himself with a fucking drug. my point he's not wasted and unable to sing or sit down there because hes "high as fuck". your comment literally makes no sense. also you might wanna check again, like 98% of artists wear sunglasses inside. lmao
@@johnshinkle4219 That's not what wm is talking about. People suffering heroin addiction will literally be sick with flu-like symptoms just from not using for a little while. That's what they call "dope sick." They use, at that point, just to stop feeling sick. That is what the addiction does to the body. Someone who was there stated Layne used just enough before the show to function. Not enough at his stage of addiction to achieve a true high. We're not saying he was totally present and normal, far from it. But no, he wasn't blissed and nodding, either. He was barely holding it together, which is what makes the whole thing so painful to watch.
I highly recommend AIC unplugged Rooster 🐓 again written by Jerry Cantrell but the powerful preformance by Layne singing so powerful and personal, I thought he (Layne) wrote it but nope Jerry wrote it for his dad trying to capture his dad’s Vietnam war experience. And Mad Season with Layne on lead vocals. I honestly don’t think I would have seen you at a Alice show or Lollapalooza
Laynes vocal range was off the charts so strong..beautiful.. His music always makes me cry.. He had Also lost his girlfriend through drugs.. R. I. P layne.. . I hope you are smiling now ♥️
Layne sang from the soul. His soul was troubled those who listen with troubled souls can relate. Apart from that he had a great vocal range and voice. Jerry Cantrell is a great artist and singer as well.
With this type of music you can like the sounds and rhythms and realise that they have obvious talent. But the meaning and lyrics really make these songs shine.
What makes great music is talent and the ability to sing from the soul.
I seen Alice In Chains at Lalapalooza in 1993 when I was a sophomore in high school and they were fantastic. 1992 Lalapalooza was also incredible with The Chili Peppers,IceCube,Ministry,Soundgarden,Pearl Jam,Rage,Cypress Hill House of Pain and the coolest part was after Ice Cube finished on the main stage here in Phoenix a announcement was made that “Temple of the Dog” was on the second stage. So many people ran over there. They were not on the playbill but since Soundgarden and Pearl Jam were already there they decided to perform and for me it was te highlight of the festival. We talked about it that whole week at school. I was a freshman in high school and my friends and I went to Lalapalooza from 1992-1995. The 90’s just had the best music from every genre. From hip hop to rock to metal. Every genre had the best bands,groups and artists like 2Pac,Biggie,Nas,Jay Z,EPMD,WU-Tang,Cypress Hill and that list goes on and on to bands like Soundgarden,Alice in Chains,STP,Tool,Korn,Deftones,Nirvana,Metallica,Megadeth and that list goes on and on. We just don’t see that today,which I miss.
Source needed but I’ve heard that Layne’s keeping his mouth closed and tight since he was sensitive/self-conscious about his teeth.
Definitely true, a lot of people incorrectly say he had already lost most his teeth but at this point he still had them, they were just likely in bad condition and he was very self conscious about them so he hid them the best he could.
It was their first show in 4 years
I bought the dvd of this performance for $4. And yes, Layne and Jerry smoked cigarettes through the whole concert
I don’t think any 1 gets sick of ppl doing AiC Unplugged reaction, so thank you for this!! I believe they had a set filled w/candles to be different than Nirvana’s. Layne & Jerry’s cannon is absolutely gorgeous here. & Layne does know how to belt things out on stage w/use of mouth & full body support i.e. “Love, Hate, Love.” I’d gotten the dvd for this performance, some songs he uses a lot of distortion but others he can be as clear as a bell. I was hoping you could take a request for some1 in my wheelhouse as a pianist, Tori Amos. My favorite album is “Scarlet’s Walk,’ & albums 1-4 are 👍🏻. She’s very prolific & has a lot live in YTland😁. Thanks in advance if you ever do a react😇!!
You can really gauge how good a song is once you hear it played with no distortion
My all time favorite singer
Thanks Ken.
The smoke is coming from one of the 20+ candles.The show is called Unplugged because for the most part they're playing acoustic instruments.
Your analysis and observations are very much appreciated, coach. The reason Layne and Kurt Cobain get away with smoking, heavy drug use and bad posture is because they both knew this would not last long. They may have been in a heroin haze, but they gave it all because they were both aware they were never doing a greatest hits concert when they were 57. Like Kurt said, it's better to burn out than fade away.
Watching this so hard. I'm watching my hero die all over again.
I believe on their song “Sludge Factory” during this set they had to restart around 7 times because Layne messed up or switched around lyrics. And this was one of their first performances as a band in a while at the time so I guess it makes sense he was locked in on the stand.
Layne had one of the best voices of all time. Wish he was still here
I been waiting this one!
You are good. I will check more of your videos. Good ynalysis.
AiC could be real hardrock/metal and soft beautiful duets. Really diverse range.
6:53 pretty sure the reason was that Metallica was in the front row, and Layne was very uncomfortable with that, as James Hetfield mocked him when he had to pull out of the tour because of his addiction.
He's slumped down because he's high as hell on H. And he doesn't open his mouth all the way because his teeth are rotten and half missing at least. Beautiful person with a beautiful voice suffering from a horrible disease. RIP sir I hope you finally found happiness somewhere.
Ken where have you been, my friend?? Yep, they’re using candles 🕯 all over the place. I believe, if I’m not mistaken, to be different than Nirvana’s set. I’d gotten the dvd for this Unplugged performance which you just wanna watch over & over. Jerry & Layne’s cannon is just gorgeous together. If you see Layne on other stage performances, he knows how to belt things out with both his mouth & body support. But yes, much more subdued here, & I sooo want that bass guitar, even tho🎹’s my wheelhouse. Btw, just wondering if you haven’t already, could you do a react to Tori Amos - she’s got 30yrs of a prolific catalog, my fave album being ‘Scarlet’s Walk’ besides #’s1-4…doesn’t really narrow it down, sorry😁😁😇!
Layne was effortless with his vocals
"You don't wanna forget your lyrics like some performers do...". Layne did, in fact, forget the lyrics during "Frogs". They had to start the song over. It was a beautiful moment between him and the rest of the band. You could see them support him. They were just laughing it off.
The reason why layne randomly stopped singing after “down in a hole” is because he forgot what came after down in a hole. Sometimes “loosin my soul”, sometimes it’s “out of control”, sometimes it’s “feeling so small”. Lol that’s my guess, at least.
In the 90s I was in my 20s and I did not notice how fragile he was at that time …… now I am in my 50s and it makes me sad …….. still a Musical milestone, greetings from Berlin Germany 🇩🇪
Even in the end, he was better than everyone else. Miss you Layne 😢
Singing with teeth missing, low depressed and sick from drugs, still sounded better than some of the junk getting spewed out now.
If you want to understand where his style came from. Search his mom singing his songs. Amazing and so telling in where he gets his talent!
This show was like watching a funeral for a man that has not died yet. So very sad but to add, as messed up as Layne is here, he still sang great.