Layne's eyes are closed almost the entire set. Supposedly, according to some of the people who were there, Mike and Layne were going through withdrawals for days but Layne brought a pill bottle full of heroin, and they both fixed up just before stepping on stage. Looking back at the performance it's pretty obvious but it didn't affect his vocals at all. It probably helped that this was a chill acoustic set.
@@paydrough what a dumb fucking comment like only people who live in trailer parks are the only who struggle with drug addiction you sir are a absolute dumbass
The fact that he's so deep into an addiction that he's a walking skeleton, and so high he can barely keep his eyes open, but can still sing like that shows how great he really was. The GOAT
When you're that deep into an addiction, you havent actually been high in years. Using gets you to normal, not using leaves you a wreck. He wasnt high. Not in the least. He was probably jonesing for a hit half way through to be honest.
Jerry Cantrell said that Layne was indeed riding a heroin high during this performance. Fact, sorry, don't know why you guys are fighting but it's just the truth.
@@wizard0fozark From what I understand, the story is Layne was in withdrawal for days, but then brought himself a fix to this show. Not enough to nod out, but just enough to make himself feel good. He didn't have to run to the bathroom at all during the performance, they said he was at a perfect level the whole show.
He sounds bad. The story is more compelling than the music. people are so morbid why not a video where hes healthy and singing amazing instead of on the decline and struggling?
Layne is going through real pain here. Layne was so sick and sore with heroin withdrawal. He took enough here to make him feel "normal" and he just evened himself out. Then he delivered one of the most raw and iconic performances ever. Jesus Christ almighty what a singer he was. A rare diamond in the rough. God bless you Layne, Rest in Peace.
Not to mention the fact that around this time Laynes girlfriend/fiance lost her battle with addiction, so Layne lost sense of living as well.. so it prettymuch sums up the " Its like he is singing at his own funeral " vibe.
He wasn't in pain caused by withdrawals because, as you said, before the show he took enough to feel normal. Just enough to be able to perform and not having withdrawals. A state every addict can relate to.
I’m sure lots of fans would tell you by this point layne didn’t have the voice he once did but still this unplugged performance is an all time classic. Haunting doesn’t really cover it, it’s actually heartbreaking. He’s not performing he’s showing you his soul , every single word
The greatest unplugged preformance of all time.. your absolutely right he was showing everybody his tortured soul and the pain he was in what makes this performance so great not the fact that he was hurting but the fact that he was truly putting his whole heart into this performance. R.I.P. layne
Yeah he was in bad shape when this was recorded. I think he’d lost a couple of his teeth and he couldn’t remember the lyrics to his own songs. Still killed it though as he always did. My favorite track on the unplugged album is Killer is me. I like your channel Rebecca.
If you notice, as amazing as Layne was, Jerry totally carried this performance. He sang in parts he wouldn't normally sing because he didn't know if and when Layne could join in. That's a true bond, right there. Even the fact that Jerry was very ill that night does not compare to the sight of Layne so thin and pale and literally cold sweating on stage. But they made beautiful music together. Pretty much the definition of "grunge", if you ask me...
Creó qué realmente fue que Layne decidió no cantar algunas partes en la que los 2 tenían que cantar y eso hacía cantar sólo a Jerry, no es cómo si estuviera atentó a cada momento
Have to disagree that Jerry “carried” the song. I wasn’t a huge AIC fan in the 90’s but am listening to them a lot now. One thing I don’t get is why some fans want to say any one band member made the band. It seems Layne & Jerry worked as a team helping each other, not competing against one another. The lead singer always gets the most attention in every band, that’s just how it is. There’s no need to criticize one to praise another. Despite the shape Layne was in, he did a fantastic job. Ditto for Jerry,
@@cecelia1350I appreciate your comment because I never meant for it to seem like Layne vs. Jerry thing. I honestly was not criticizing Layne AT ALL. I fully agree that he and Jerry were a team. We can see how well they worked together during every performance. That's really what I meant by my comment 🥰
@@Ginagm71 I apologize for the misunderstanding. Many comments on TH-cam videos seem to be negative towards one band members because another member is their favorite, which is what I thought you were doing. I definitely have my favorites but know every band member plays an important role so try keep positive about each of them.
Apparently Layne was having some rough withdrawal symptoms, which led to him taking some heroine before the performance. Hard to watch him in this entire performance. He was reading lyrics the whole time, which is why he's looking down. Also, he was missing a ton of teeth, which is why he kept his mouth so narrow and has a lisp.
Look at Jerry Cantrell look at his band after Lanes vocal run at the end of the first chorus…..that smile……he knew what they were doing was utter magic……raw, honest, musical magic!!!!!
The way I heard it they were all arguing about whether layne had it in him anymore to pull off the performance and when he totally stuck those notes Jerry was looking at the other band mates like “see I told you he still has it” ♥️
Unfortunately, this was the era that Jerry, being the shitty alcoholic that he was, had begun treating Layne like complete shit. It got so bad before the show started that several people said Layne was crying until just before they started. On top of that, Jerry made sure that members on Metallica were sitting directly in front of Layne just to make him uncomfortable due to them having a history of essentially bullying him over the way he looks and sings. Especially, James Hetfield. it's one of the reasons he keeps his eyes closed and eventually starts wearing his sunglasses.
@@pustulio81 you've missed the fact that Layne, as amazing as he was, was also an adult. Don't blame Jerry for that dude, it's very low. Even adrianas book didn't go that hard on him. They are all amazing talents and one was taken too soon. He won't be the last in music.
That entire Dirt album was the single most accurate translation I've ever heard of emotional pain and despair into a recorded album. I was living in Seattle in early 1992, and I am sure that influenced my musical tastes, but that album speaks to me more than probably any other piece of music I have *ever* encountered. I don't have words for how close I was to living the lyrics to the song Dirt in reality, after some person experiences. This album came out *right* when I was dealing with exactly the sort of emotional issues AIC covered, so it will always be a very personal album for me. This song, Down in Hole, has also been something I could very very much personally identify with. To this day, it's difficult for me to listen to, much like Comfortably Numb, since it brings me back into that mental space, which I still identify with in many ways. Layne was an all-time god-tier vocalist. His death as a result of heroin eating him alive will forever be a tragedy akin to Morrison or Joplin dying from their own personal failures. We can only imagine what any of them might have done had they survived and had an entire lifetime of work and performances. I just feel lucky I had the opportunity to hear Layne sing live once upon a time.
Oh man do I feel you, though I didnt go through things til later I slowly was getting introduced to where my life was going to go at that time. Later in life it came to be when I understood this album the most and every word resignated with me. Was very much in love with the grunge era I always feel fortunate to have been a teenager in the 90's since I dont think anyone could ever have that kind of experience that time brought. I know everyone has a time period that they probably feel that way about but the 90's was different for sure! I was fortunate enough to see AIC once live and am so grateful I had that experience. So glad to you that you made it through and are here today to speak upon your experience.
I don't really relate to the addiction aspect to the lyrics, but they do touch me deeply and I really feel the lyrics. Depression is like being "down in a hole". "I want to fly, but my wings have been so denied.", "see my heart, I decorate it like a grave" and so many other lines in this song really hit me emotionally. I even took Layne as my middle name when I completely changed my name in 1997. R.I.P. Layne
1. I don't think think they are eligible until 2026. 2. It's the "Rock and Roll" Hall of Fame. It should be a badge of honour that they AREN'T in there yet, considering how long it took for them to induct some bands, and others that have yet to be inducted.
Cantrell is one of the best lyricists ever this song/them bones/no excuses/we die young/brother/rooster/would?/sea of sorrow All just incredible lyrics and there are so many more from him, Jerry truly is one of the best songwriters ever, Layne was a damn good lyricist too but I give the edge to Jerry, together tho they were unmatched.
@@puppetmaster8551 - I agree with you. Jerry’s writing is unbelievably deep and crafty. However no one- not even Jerry himself, could bring the appropriate emotion/feeling to any of those lyrics like Layne could. I can imagine it’s difficult singing ‘someone else’s’ song (example: covers of AIC that just miss the mark)…..but Layne had it. He had a way about him that made you feel every ounce of pain, angst, sadness, anger, confusion, etc etc that was meant to be displayed. He did so much more than sing-he truly painted a picture with his voice.
Layne was, without a doubt, the best of the "big four" of his generation. It is one of life's great tragedies that we have lost three of those four far far too early. RIP Layne, Chris and Kurt. And, for god's sake, stay safe Eddie.
It was perfection when he was healthier. This was an absolute shell of his former past, which if you think that this is good just speaks volumes to how good he was. The power he used to have was impressive. Old Layne wouldn't have needed a mic for this performance.
This breaks my heart every time I see it. Layne was going through a literal hell on earth. Every time he sang out of control on this song, I feel like he was taking a shot at himself because he knew how far gone he was into his addiction. And Jerry and the other guys are sitting there playing and in Jerry's case singing his heart out alongside this man they loved like a brother (Layne) while he slowly killed himself and there wasn't a damn thing they could do about it. It's crushing. I found out personally just how crushing when my eldest brother literally drank himself into a damn coma five years ago. Having kept the depth of his alcohol addiction hidden from us. He recovered from the coma, came home to convalesce and we hoped recover, only to literally collapse and die in front of our .mother while I was the next state over! I still feel like there's more I should have tried to do to help my brother before he got to that place. Even though I know such thoughts are futile. But I'd bet Layne's bandmates went through similar thoughts and feelings. Well, I suppose all of us left behind feel that way when we lose someone to the demon of addiction. RIP Layne, and RIP Michael. I love and still miss you brother.
I'm so sorry that you and your mother went through this 😪 It gives you such insight and it is an insight no one would ever want. Please accept my condolences for the loss of your brother. Addiction is a terrible, cruel and painful master, I'm so sorry it has touched your life in such a horrific way 💜
No amount of words to make sense. Thanks for putting into words how many others feel, with our family and friends that struggle with any debilitating issue. Peace with you and your family, I felt your love through your words.
Yes, It can make you feel it, very, very hard for sure, He had his eyes closed from the pain and the fact he was 10 sheets to the wind spun out on Heroin and cocaine.
Yeah I have major depressive disorder and it’s really hard to listen to this song especially this version. Nutshell specifically the unplugged version is also stupidly hard to listen to, but the lyrics to down in a hole just hit so close to home. Sometimes if it comes on I just have to change it by it’s too hard to listen to
Thing is Layne was absolutely smacked out his head during this. If you watched the whole thing you could literally see him nodding during the show. Jerry even said in an interview he was afraid the show wasn't going to happen cause of it. So yeah the pain and anguish in his voice is very authentic as he knew he was slowly killing himself.
He was clean up until minutes before the performance. He was coming to grips with knowing the addiction was going to kill him eventually. He was later shooting into the beds of his fingernails and they would swell up so much he had to tape them up to keep the nails from coming off. SAD
Imagine he never even had any vocal coaches. He taught himself the control, the technique, the breathing. They were insanely talented and brilliant to come up with these arrangements, these lyrics, and the music.
During the end of the first chorus, Jerry looked at someone smiling. He was really saying:"Layne is incredible, he is turning all this into gold!" And I love both of them, and their music and spirit!
I love when she begins the video she says “I won’t cry”. It’s everyone’s first instinct when you hear this, especially knowing the end result for Layne.
Arguably, the greatest MTV Unplugged show of all-time and one of the best renditions of a song. I own the CD and DVD for this performance and it is chilling and incredible
This I would totally agree with, I've listened to so many unplugged albums and this is still on my daily play list. My fav song though is Over Now, the guitar work is unmatched if you ask me but Layne and Jerry were unmatched in their own right.
His tone. "Lots of singers do it." Yea, It's Layne's and everyone started to try to emulate it. Tried. Happy Birthday, Layne. Celebrating you this week. You had such an incredible impact in me during my college years, and I literally left parties so I could go hang out at my dirm alone watching Head Bangers Ball and checking out all the latest AIC videos, which I always loved. Miss you.
Yep. AIC was always my favorite of the Seattle bands...and others may have been more popular or famous, but when bands tried to copy the sound they all wanted to be Layne. I remember those days before YT and streaming music...we had to wait patiently to see and hear it. And then try to catch it with the record button on the VHS.
Watching interviews of Jerry talking a our Layne's voice will give you goosebumps. He said he has so many great singers etc. He said Layne was above them all. He could literally feel Layne's voice on a set. He was insanely talented!
@J Lo 13 I just couldn't agree more! Even though there's people in this thread saying he sounds bad (or not at his top level) I can't really hear it. Tbh I usually don't really care for perfect pitch or perfect performances. The only thing that matters to me is if a singer is able to get his emotions across, and does this in such a way that it makes your bones grow cold and your heart skip a beat or two. This, combined with the way the band chimes in, with all of the luscious ornamentations on the bass, makes a great performance for me.
Wow, this made me cry. It's so obvious that Layne is going through hell right here, seeing him sort of closing his eyes and shying away from the camera.... He had one of the most genuine voices I've ever heard, and right here I feel like he was really uncomfortable... Such a delicate, beautiful soul.
He wasn't high, he was just well. When you're in the stage of heroin addiction that layne was you rarely even get high. You just get well enough to function.
The one thing I love about Alice is that Layne, as the lead singer, pretty much always did the 'harmony part' while Jerry carried the melody. For me, their vocal interplay was absolutely unmatched, No Excuses from unplugged being the perfect example
I've always loved how Jerry winks and nods with a big smile to someone in the back. Like "hell Yea thats layne muthafucking staley" then layne looks over like "how's that" lol
@@bradsully6620 I think you're right. Jerry does give Layne a similar look not long after though. I think he was just vibing with how everyone was performing. He knew that something special was happening.
My favorite vocal tandem ever. This was the first show they had played in a very long time, and there was some doubt about Layne. This is Jerry saying "He's killing it" 04:05
The raw footage of this performance is nuts. They had to stop and start constantly because he was so messed up. Literally had to have a person help him from sliding off the stool at points.
yet watching it, you wouldn't have known that. Ive only recently been introduced to them, particularly this concert and i never felt anything like it when i 1st saw it. Nutshell made me cry.
He wasn't so messed up. He did just enough here to be able to function and not be sick. His mistakes in this show were from not singing for a long time before this. He had the weight of the world on his shoulders here, everything was falling apart including his relationships with loved ones and his health. He did an admirable job here considering.
I was a Hair Metal guy and sad when grunge changed everything. That being said, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden were so damn good, and we've sadly lost to absolutely incredible vocalists.
A huge thank you to my parents for being so cool they would sit through some of the best 90s concerts just so I could attend. Without them I would have never seen AIC, Nirvana, Jane's Addiction, Blind Melon etc. Of course I was dragged to shows like Phil Collins, Billy Joel, Pink Floyd and John Denver. Which way is the time machine?
"I just hear pain in his voice." Truest thing I've heard about this performance. I've been a big AIC fan since I first heard them in the early 90s, but I don't think I ever truly appreciated the authenticity of their music, and the pure magic they created, until Layne passed away. It's weird how the loss of someone you personally never met can hurt.
The way he walks in, sits down, and sings flawlessly is so fucking gangster. I showed this concert to my kids a few months ago and was trying to get them to understand how goddamn perfect and cool that moment is.
Layne was pretty much already dying when he gave this performance. On the day of filming, the rest of AIC didn't know if he would show up (either not be able to, or might have decided not to) let alone if he would be in any condition to sing anything, or he might have tried to sing but his voice might not have been up to it, or couldn't read the lyrics (etc). The smile which Jerry Cantrell gives at 4:11 of your video is the smile of "Hell yeah! *This* is the Layne we dearly love and who we desperately hoped & wanted/needed to see." A performer at the height of their powers, putting all of their soul into the music for friends, the band, the fans and musical history...even though they know their life is irrevocably fading away right in front of their own eyes. A truly dedicated and epic performance. RIP Layne. Greatly missed. [el'sda2].
He was a big part of decorating and setting this up. He had been away with Mad Season. He was not near death here, just sick, AND THEY KNEW HED BE THERE.
The lyrics are just fantastic, wow. Rarely had such a deep emotional feeling. Their voices are amazing, the harmonies.. I live for great harmonisation and THEY nailed it. And you, you're looking stunning! I'm in love with you hair and makeup!! Also, let ME take care of Suki. I'm pretty good at grooming. Queen gets what she deserves. 😍
My god, this still rips my soul apart, even after all these years. This song followed me into the darkest depths of pain and self-destruction I've ever known, and yet...I still love it like I've never loved anything in my life. Layne, I miss you, my brother.
When he sang “but my wings have been so denied” I was waiting for the pause button to be hit lol. I remember the first time I heard that, fell in love with this song
But it was Layne who encourage Jerry to sing and especially in the songs that he wrote. Layne was a huge advocate and push for Jerry who felt that he couldn't stand up to Layne's voice but they mesh so very well together it's amazing
Hi Rebecca! Hope you're well. Great choice to react. Layne was amazing. If you haven't heard The Rooster, you should check it out. And the story behind the song. So powerful.
@@luizr7400 he was heavily withdrawing trying to kick smack and opioids. To get through the performance which was about four hours in total taping time he took a small hit. Just enough to be lucid but not fall asleep during the recording. It was literally his goodbye performance to his fans and life.
@@famousatmidnight15 knowing that this was somewhat the beginning of the end makes it so much sadder in hindsight. The irony of this song was that it was written about another friend who was an addict yet we are literally watching Layne headed to his own grave. An amazing performance and the best Unplugged ever. I listen to this at least a few times each week.
The most impressive thing about Laynes voice to me is how he was able to reach and sustain those high notes keeping so much pressure and strength throughout.
This is the only RVA video I've seen. I was impressed. It touched me that this music touched her (and isn't that what these reaction videos are for?) but beyond that .... she strikes me as quirky, funny, and *hot* . So win win win win 😍 I will rewatch this one before proceeding on to any others.
It is astounding how a single syllable, emphasized in a particular way, can affect how the song is heard. How two singers can find harmony while singing different lyrics, within the same melody. How one person singing one lyric can momentarily be in the same place as another person singing a different lyric, and then continue on in different directions. One of my favourite AiC songs. Magic. Chemistry. I don't know what to call it. But, DAMN, I can't hear it often enough.
Becca you should do “ man in the box” by AIC to appreciate his power vocal next. Layne Staley was an immense vocalist with a fantastic range from ballads to powerful & always in perfect pitch
This was one of the last performances Staley ever did---by this time he was in deep trouble, and it's actually quite amazing he was able to finish the set. RIP Layne, you deserved better.
I can always feel Laynes pain in his vocals, he expressed things with his vocals he couldnt find a way to express with his every day personality ( where he was goofy and always laughing despite how he was actually feeling). This performance specifically makes me cry my eyes out every time
I cried when Layne came out (when I watched the original airing back in the day). He was merely a shadow of himself. You can't critique his mechanics, because he was high beyond imagination. Mostly why he sits there lifeless with his head down and eyes closed. It wasn't his best "professional" or "technical" performance, but the pain he was feeling bled all over this performance and that's what made it amazing. And Layne is Layne, so even though this was not his BEST, it was still stunning and REAL. Gone too soon.
So heartbreaking! Everytime I watch I cry seeing such a shell of a man pouring out a beautiful performance and knowing he went through 6 more yrs of this pain.
Hoping you react to more AIC. Layne had a vocal projection like none other and could really soar. His best vocal performances are on the Facelift/Dirt albums IMO. Thanks for this! Glad to have you back. :)
This unplugged performance is quite possibly the greatest live music performance of the 90s and probably the best of any since. Absolutely raw down to the bone. I still get chills listening to this 25 years later.
Greatest vocalist ever. You do understand that he was so physically destroyed by his heroin addiction that he lost most of his teeth. So he is singing when his life was almost over, with nearly no teeth, and still able to sing like that. He also had a note sheet in front of him to remind him of the words.
We miss you, Layne. He was well and truly in the throws of addiction by this time and you can see it. Heartbreaking for those of us that witnessed him on stage prior to this. Such a formidable force. I feel lucky to have seen AIC with Layne 4 times during the early nineties and it hit hard when we lost him. Just like Chris Cornell more recently. Damnit. Gone far too soon.
So glad that I got to see Layne live before he left us for somewhere he could finally find peace.... A band that showed emotion in its purest and also darkest glory, Alice in Chains... The honour was mine 🖤🖤🖤
Definitely one of THE best "Grunge" bands ever. Layne's excruciating and piercing vocals always manage to tug on my soul. Your thoughts were soooo spot on. You get it.
I never got to see AIC when Lane was alive. He was such an amazing singer. My daughter just turned 14 and is getting into 90’s rock and I took her to AIC two months ago and I was impressed. At times it was obvious it wasn’t Lane but there were a few songs where dude sounded dead on to Lane. I was impressed overall.
This performance was chilling, I felt him his pain and sorrows one of the best MTV Unplugged show I ever saw!! Rest in Peace Layne Staley you are truly missed!!💔
This was my favorite Unplugged, my favorite song, favorite era, with my favorite singer. This song really changed my life. I could feel his pain and anguish with every word. His deep connection to the lyrics. This album was just sheer poetry, and I am so honored to have been on this planet to be able to hear it. My biggest regret is never being able to see him sing live in concert, but AIC did a wonderful tribute to him when they performed here. He had a unique ability to draw you in, and make you feel it to your core. He and Jerry fought horribly, but they harmonized so well together. Jar of Flies resonated within me at that point in time. Some people will never understand how much their songs mean to some people. And, for him I will be eternally grateful. Thanks for covering his legacy. Layne will live on. A flame snuffed too soon.
I remember really looking forward to this performance before it aired as I was a huge Alice fan. I remember taking one look at Layne and being like "Fuck..."
I remember seeing Layne in 1996, backstage at a Dick Dale concert of all places, and thinking he looked terrible then. By the time the unplugged show happened I was wishing he could go back to 96.
Really enjoyed your commentary Rebecca, and hearing the song through your perspective. AIC are fantastic and Dirt the album a formative part of my late teens. Thanks
The first "down in a hole" is the most honest delivered line any artist has delivered that I can recall. You could see how the words literally hit him, like him saying them out loud made him realise just how truly down in that hole he was, and he knew he was too far down to get out. Truly beautiful, and heart breaking
Jerry carried the show but Sean was phenomenal on drums and Inez killed it on bass, the whole band was fantastic but Jerry had without a doubt the biggest role in the show.
renovate: I've heard this recently as well, that it is 'the drummer' that needs to keep the pace for the rest of them, and is more difficult during stripped down performances. Nice to see Sean recognized for his talent, too.
@@casey10bb drums and bass are both very important in that aspect and are usually very in sync with each other, both Sean and Inez were perfect during this show. They may not be the stars of the show like Jerry and Layne but it wouldn’t have been the same without them.
The sounds of a dying man who knew he had one or two last left in him..... I'm 42 n it's been 25 years n we still listen to this and their catalogue as often as our weekend alcohol allows....
Watching this brings me to tears every time… knowing the turmoil they were going through, how layne died alone, and the last thing he ever did was beg a band member not to leave him alone in that house. And then they found him dead 2 weeks later…
reason his eyes were closed and he came out with glasses was because he was high as a kite. depression and drugs arent a good mix. one of the best rock/grunge singers ever
I saw an interview with Jerry Cantrell and he said Layne took just enough to function during this show. He was pretty messed up at this point in his life.
Just love this reaction to this track. Why? You highlight all of the hidden gems in this performance. I never thought much of this track in my youth, I was about 20. Revisiting it now, with you, has given me a new perspective. Thanks!
Hi Rebecca! You might this interesting. th-cam.com/video/2vPPHskCf3w/w-d-xo.html I love this girls voice. Obviously, the band/song helps. Sound quality is quite good, etc.
On the bass guitar is written "Friends don't let friends get Friends haircuts." This was a dig at Metallica, who had just released their Load album, and had all cut their hair short.
@@johnk1818 I recall Jason saying the haircuts were the result of a bet, but never heard what the bet was. Of course, he may have been making that up, too.
'I just hear pain in his voice"
Welcome to Alice in Chains.
The irony that Jerry wrote the song, so it’s not his expense
@@PEPSEP When I sing this song, I even feel pain and sorrow within me. Layne probably felt the same.
Man was literally in pain. Such a sad story.
The fact that his Mom, Nancy sings his Alice songs tells you alot about how profound they are 😭❤️
Layne's eyes are closed almost the entire set. Supposedly, according to some of the people who were there, Mike and Layne were going through withdrawals for days but Layne brought a pill bottle full of heroin, and they both fixed up just before stepping on stage. Looking back at the performance it's pretty obvious but it didn't affect his vocals at all. It probably helped that this was a chill acoustic set.
Oh Layne… wish you were still around.
Can take the boy out of the trailer park but can’t take the heroin out of the boy.
Meee too. Been listening to him for 25 years now. And it will never grow old.
So do I
Layne Chester Chris the loss of so many great musicians
@@paydrough what a dumb fucking comment like only people who live in trailer parks are the only who struggle with drug addiction you sir are a absolute dumbass
The fact that he's so deep into an addiction that he's a walking skeleton, and so high he can barely keep his eyes open, but can still sing like that shows how great he really was. The GOAT
He wasn't that high, he was just well.
When you're that deep into an addiction, you havent actually been high in years. Using gets you to normal, not using leaves you a wreck.
He wasnt high. Not in the least. He was probably jonesing for a hit half way through to be honest.
Jerry Cantrell said that Layne was indeed riding a heroin high during this performance. Fact, sorry, don't know why you guys are fighting but it's just the truth.
@Emma James Cantrell wrote the majority of the songs
@@wizard0fozark From what I understand, the story is Layne was in withdrawal for days, but then brought himself a fix to this show. Not enough to nod out, but just enough to make himself feel good. He didn't have to run to the bathroom at all during the performance, they said he was at a perfect level the whole show.
Layne was 87% dead at this point and he still sounds amazing. Its so heartbreaking but the brightest flames burn quickest.
more like 60%
This is literally YEARS before he died you weirdo, stop acting like you know what you're talking about 🤦
Not 87%, maybe in the 2000 but this was 1996 he got chances
He sounds bad. The story is more compelling than the music. people are so morbid why not a video where hes healthy and singing amazing instead of on the decline and struggling?
@@smkxodnwbwkdns8369 "he sounds Bad", says some random dude on the internet about one of the greatest unplugged sets in history...
Layne is going through real pain here. Layne was so sick and sore with heroin withdrawal. He took enough here to make him feel "normal" and he just evened himself out. Then he delivered one of the most raw and iconic performances ever. Jesus Christ almighty what a singer he was. A rare diamond in the rough. God bless you Layne, Rest in Peace.
Perfectly and beautifully stated. 💔
Not to mention the fact that around this time Laynes girlfriend/fiance lost her battle with addiction, so Layne lost sense of living as well.. so it prettymuch sums up the " Its like he is singing at his own funeral " vibe.
He wasn't in pain caused by withdrawals because, as you said, before the show he took enough to feel normal. Just enough to be able to perform and not having withdrawals. A state every addict can relate to.
And not only that but he basically didn’t have a tooth in his head at this point either. But he still sounded beautiful and it was so real!!
@@keemarie1wrong. you can literally see his teeth when he sings in this video. Only the bottom though
I’m sure lots of fans would tell you by this point layne didn’t have the voice he once did but still this unplugged performance is an all time classic. Haunting doesn’t really cover it, it’s actually heartbreaking. He’s not performing he’s showing you his soul , every single word
Perfect description.
the unfunny thing is........he still soundeded magical. even in the throes of his addiction.
The greatest unplugged preformance of all time.. your absolutely right he was showing everybody his tortured soul and the pain he was in what makes this performance so great not the fact that he was hurting but the fact that he was truly putting his whole heart into this performance. R.I.P. layne
@@derekbennett362 "Nirvana: UnPlugged In New York" says Hi
Yeah he was in bad shape when this was recorded. I think he’d lost a couple of his teeth and he couldn’t remember the lyrics to his own songs. Still killed it though as he always did. My favorite track on the unplugged album is Killer is me. I like your channel Rebecca.
There's probably never going to be as good a vocal duo as Layne and Jerry again.
Facts man. But you misspelled incredible
I prefer Layne and Mark Lanegan
@@lshevil ok. Thanks?
Devin Townsend and Anneke van Giersbergen come close
There will never be anyone as amazing as Layne
Tomorrow is Layne's birthday. I love their Unplugged, but it always makes me cry, especially Nutshell and this song. I miss him so much :(
Oh god the unplugged version of nutshell fn GUTS me. I can’t listen to it when I’m sad, it takes to the depths of despair fr
I feel the same girl, was around 16y when this version came out, the worse time to start thinking about life.. 🤘
As I once heard someone say. The AiC Unplugged is the closest you can ever see a man singing in his own funeral.
@@RafitoOoO I guess you are right, it was his last gig, maybe his best...
The best unplugged of all time!!
If you notice, as amazing as Layne was, Jerry totally carried this performance. He sang in parts he wouldn't normally sing because he didn't know if and when Layne could join in. That's a true bond, right there. Even the fact that Jerry was very ill that night does not compare to the sight of Layne so thin and pale and literally cold sweating on stage. But they made beautiful music together. Pretty much the definition of "grunge", if you ask me...
Creó qué realmente fue que Layne decidió no cantar algunas partes en la que los 2 tenían que cantar y eso hacía cantar sólo a Jerry, no es cómo si estuviera atentó a cada momento
Have to disagree that Jerry “carried” the song. I wasn’t a huge AIC fan in the 90’s but am listening to them a lot now. One thing I don’t get is why some fans want to say any one band member made the band. It seems Layne & Jerry worked as a team helping each other, not competing against one another. The lead singer always gets the most attention in every band, that’s just how it is. There’s no need to criticize one to praise another.
Despite the shape Layne was in, he did a fantastic job. Ditto for Jerry,
@@cecelia1350I appreciate your comment because I never meant for it to seem like Layne vs. Jerry thing. I honestly was not criticizing Layne AT ALL. I fully agree that he and Jerry were a team. We can see how well they worked together during every performance. That's really what I meant by my comment 🥰
@@Ginagm71 I apologize for the misunderstanding. Many comments on TH-cam videos seem to be negative towards one band members because another member is their favorite, which is what I thought you were doing. I definitely have my favorites but know every band member plays an important role so try keep positive about each of them.
Apparently Layne was having some rough withdrawal symptoms, which led to him taking some heroine before the performance. Hard to watch him in this entire performance. He was reading lyrics the whole time, which is why he's looking down. Also, he was missing a ton of teeth, which is why he kept his mouth so narrow and has a lisp.
Layne’s voice still gives me chills even after 30 years. What an amazing talent.
Yes still
The greatest unplugged performance ever period.
The best thing Mtv ever produced no doubt.
So good
Yes I would put this at 1 Nirvana at 2 and believe it or not 10,000 Maniacs at 3 they did a great unplugged set.
Absolutely 💯
Pearl Jam..
One of the greatest voices in rock.
in grunge*
*Two* of the greatest voices in rock!
@@perks6292 True
RIP Layne Staley! When he died he only weighed 86 pounds and lost all his teeth from drug use.
correct
Look at Jerry Cantrell look at his band after Lanes vocal run at the end of the first chorus…..that smile……he knew what they were doing was utter magic……raw, honest, musical magic!!!!!
Yea they had been on hiatus for a while before this concert and the way he looks is almost like he's saying "We still got it."
The way I heard it they were all arguing about whether layne had it in him anymore to pull off the performance and when he totally stuck those notes Jerry was looking at the other band mates like “see I told you he still has it” ♥️
Unfortunately, this was the era that Jerry, being the shitty alcoholic that he was, had begun treating Layne like complete shit. It got so bad before the show started that several people said Layne was crying until just before they started. On top of that, Jerry made sure that members on Metallica were sitting directly in front of Layne just to make him uncomfortable due to them having a history of essentially bullying him over the way he looks and sings. Especially, James Hetfield. it's one of the reasons he keeps his eyes closed and eventually starts wearing his sunglasses.
Your spot on I noticed that
@@pustulio81 you've missed the fact that Layne, as amazing as he was, was also an adult. Don't blame Jerry for that dude, it's very low. Even adrianas book didn't go that hard on him. They are all amazing talents and one was taken too soon. He won't be the last in music.
That entire Dirt album was the single most accurate translation I've ever heard of emotional pain and despair into a recorded album. I was living in Seattle in early 1992, and I am sure that influenced my musical tastes, but that album speaks to me more than probably any other piece of music I have *ever* encountered. I don't have words for how close I was to living the lyrics to the song Dirt in reality, after some person experiences. This album came out *right* when I was dealing with exactly the sort of emotional issues AIC covered, so it will always be a very personal album for me. This song, Down in Hole, has also been something I could very very much personally identify with. To this day, it's difficult for me to listen to, much like Comfortably Numb, since it brings me back into that mental space, which I still identify with in many ways. Layne was an all-time god-tier vocalist. His death as a result of heroin eating him alive will forever be a tragedy akin to Morrison or Joplin dying from their own personal failures. We can only imagine what any of them might have done had they survived and had an entire lifetime of work and performances. I just feel lucky I had the opportunity to hear Layne sing live once upon a time.
Oh man do I feel you, though I didnt go through things til later I slowly was getting introduced to where my life was going to go at that time. Later in life it came to be when I understood this album the most and every word resignated with me. Was very much in love with the grunge era I always feel fortunate to have been a teenager in the 90's since I dont think anyone could ever have that kind of experience that time brought. I know everyone has a time period that they probably feel that way about but the 90's was different for sure! I was fortunate enough to see AIC once live and am so grateful I had that experience. So glad to you that you made it through and are here today to speak upon your experience.
I don't really relate to the addiction aspect to the lyrics, but they do touch me deeply and I really feel the lyrics. Depression is like being "down in a hole". "I want to fly, but my wings have been so denied.", "see my heart, I decorate it like a grave" and so many other lines in this song really hit me emotionally.
I even took Layne as my middle name when I completely changed my name in 1997.
R.I.P. Layne
Indeed
The sheer command Layne has over his voice even when he's almost ready to fall over is truly impressive.
Thats not Layne, thats heroin holding a dead man together.
Why isnt AIC in Hall of Fame ? The Best of music from that era
1. I don't think think they are eligible until 2026.
2. It's the "Rock and Roll" Hall of Fame. It should be a badge of honour that they AREN'T in there yet, considering how long it took for them to induct some bands, and others that have yet to be inducted.
@@robertkennedy5414 they are eligible since 2015
Iron Maiden and Megadeth are not either.
@@Littlewing1977 whatttttt? Unbelievable
Love Man in the Box!
One of the most heavy and depressing songs ever. Each lyric is so intense and beautifully phrased
Yeah Jerry wrote some amazing lyrics ! Layne sings it fantastic!
Cantrell is one of the best lyricists ever this song/them bones/no excuses/we die young/brother/rooster/would?/sea of sorrow All just incredible lyrics and there are so many more from him, Jerry truly is one of the best songwriters ever, Layne was a damn good lyricist too but I give the edge to Jerry, together tho they were unmatched.
It was the most depressing song to me until they released Nutshell
@@puppetmaster8551 - I agree with you. Jerry’s writing is unbelievably deep and crafty. However no one- not even Jerry himself, could bring the appropriate emotion/feeling to any of those lyrics like Layne could. I can imagine it’s difficult singing ‘someone else’s’ song (example: covers of AIC that just miss the mark)…..but Layne had it. He had a way about him that made you feel every ounce of pain, angst, sadness, anger, confusion, etc etc that was meant to be displayed. He did so much more than sing-he truly painted a picture with his voice.
@@tsbiscaro Layne wrote that song and it's a masterpiece
Layne was, without a doubt, the best of the "big four" of his generation. It is one of life's great tragedies that we have lost three of those four far far too early. RIP Layne, Chris and Kurt. And, for god's sake, stay safe Eddie.
I'd argue big five with Scott Weiland. Don't forget him.
Could never believe all those guys could be gone so soon
Maynard #1
Gavin never got his due.
this 100%, the grunge generation have too many dead heroes :(
Twenty years he's been gone, and his voice STILL gives me chills.
His voice is perfection, one of a kind along with his harmonies with Jerry, and their lyrics just crushes you 😭😭😭💔 RIP Layne
It was perfection when he was healthier. This was an absolute shell of his former past, which if you think that this is good just speaks volumes to how good he was. The power he used to have was impressive. Old Layne wouldn't have needed a mic for this performance.
This breaks my heart every time I see it. Layne was going through a literal hell on earth. Every time he sang out of control on this song, I feel like he was taking a shot at himself because he knew how far gone he was into his addiction. And Jerry and the other guys are sitting there playing and in Jerry's case singing his heart out alongside this man they loved like a brother (Layne) while he slowly killed himself and there wasn't a damn thing they could do about it. It's crushing. I found out personally just how crushing when my eldest brother literally drank himself into a damn coma five years ago. Having kept the depth of his alcohol addiction hidden from us. He recovered from the coma, came home to convalesce and we hoped recover, only to literally collapse and die in front of our .mother while I was the next state over! I still feel like there's more I should have tried to do to help my brother before he got to that place. Even though I know such thoughts are futile. But I'd bet Layne's bandmates went through similar thoughts and feelings. Well, I suppose all of us left behind feel that way when we lose someone to the demon of addiction. RIP Layne, and RIP Michael. I love and still miss you brother.
I'm so sorry that you and your mother went through this 😪 It gives you such insight and it is an insight no one would ever want. Please accept my condolences for the loss of your brother. Addiction is a terrible, cruel and painful master, I'm so sorry it has touched your life in such a horrific way 💜
@@lellyt2372 Thank you.
Sorry about your brother! Let he rest in peace! My heart goes out with you!
@@joenelmitz8584 thank you.
No amount of words to make sense. Thanks for putting into words how many others feel, with our family and friends that struggle with any debilitating issue. Peace with you and your family, I felt your love through your words.
"I'd like to fly, but my wings have been so denied" One of my favourite bands of all time. Those vocal harmonies, those lyrics....
As someone who has lived with depression. I don’t just hear this song, I feel it. Hard.
Yes, It can make you feel it, very, very hard for sure, He had his eyes closed from the pain and the fact he was 10 sheets to the wind spun out on Heroin and cocaine.
I can relate, I have had clinical depression since my 20`s.
Yeah I have major depressive disorder and it’s really hard to listen to this song especially this version. Nutshell specifically the unplugged version is also stupidly hard to listen to, but the lyrics to down in a hole just hit so close to home. Sometimes if it comes on I just have to change it by it’s too hard to listen to
im thinking about all of you at this moment
@@cwagz1982 hopefully thinking about all of us in a good way lol
Thing is Layne was absolutely smacked out his head during this. If you watched the whole thing you could literally see him nodding during the show. Jerry even said in an interview he was afraid the show wasn't going to happen cause of it. So yeah the pain and anguish in his voice is very authentic as he knew he was slowly killing himself.
He was clean up until minutes before the performance. He was coming to grips with knowing the addiction was going to kill him eventually. He was later shooting into the beds of his fingernails and they would swell up so much he had to tape them up to keep the nails from coming off. SAD
@@m.vondrake5534 no layne never stated clean after 91” he would relapse day after rehab
@@m.vondrake5534If that's true that's horrendous to hear
@@patmalloy3569 sad but true
Discovered this song month ago, have already listened it more than hundred times. Incredible performance
Demon Hunter has a nice cover of it as well
Listen to the whole album it's amazing. This isn't even the best song on it.
Dirt is/was a classic grunge album......still one of my all time faves.
@jose loureiro its very raw....
Jar of flies imo was better
Dirt is arguably the best follow up record for any band ever.
Bought Dirt and Unplugged on CD again this year. Can never have enough AIC.
AIC isnt grunge.
Imagine he never even had any vocal coaches. He taught himself the control, the technique, the breathing. They were insanely talented and brilliant to come up with these arrangements, these lyrics, and the music.
Actually he did take voice lessons at one point, early on. But talent like his cant be taught. You either have it, like he did, or you dont.
If only he was able to control the demon inside him, he might still be around today
@@amyaubuchon2199 his Mom and Grandma were singers
He had lessons from maestro kyle so did Chris Cornell, Ann Wilson and Geoff tate
@@onepunchflan3071 Facts..He must've been a helluva vocal coach with that list of talent..
Today is Layne birthday. Rest in piece, one of the best vocals in rock history
During the end of the first chorus, Jerry looked at someone smiling. He was really saying:"Layne is incredible, he is turning all this into gold!"
And I love both of them, and their music and spirit!
I love when she begins the video she says “I won’t cry”. It’s everyone’s first instinct when you hear this, especially knowing the end result for Layne.
Arguably, the greatest MTV Unplugged show of all-time and one of the best renditions of a song. I own the CD and DVD for this performance and it is chilling and incredible
This I would totally agree with, I've listened to so many unplugged albums and this is still on my daily play list. My fav song though is Over Now, the guitar work is unmatched if you ask me but Layne and Jerry were unmatched in their own right.
Nothing comes close.
@@anypoxynames did you not watch nirvana?
Totally agree, The Best!!
@@iamgiliberto i did and i would say Alice in chains performance was better than Nirvana
I wish you were still around Layne,Kurt,Chris, Scott.
Chester
Shannon, Jeff
Brad delp
Dolores :’)
Andrew Wood
His tone. "Lots of singers do it." Yea, It's Layne's and everyone started to try to emulate it. Tried.
Happy Birthday, Layne. Celebrating you this week. You had such an incredible impact in me during my college years, and I literally left parties so I could go hang out at my dirm alone watching Head Bangers Ball and checking out all the latest AIC videos, which I always loved. Miss you.
"So all you fools
Who sing just like him
Feel free to do so now
Cuz he's dead"
th-cam.com/video/TB_9GB3G86A/w-d-xo.html
Tbh not alot of singers do it today. And you're so right he's voice is just so unique and no one could replicate that.
THIS! No one could be as good as Layne.
Yep. AIC was always my favorite of the Seattle bands...and others may have been more popular or famous, but when bands tried to copy the sound they all wanted to be Layne. I remember those days before YT and streaming music...we had to wait patiently to see and hear it. And then try to catch it with the record button on the VHS.
Watching interviews of Jerry talking a our Layne's voice will give you goosebumps. He said he has so many great singers etc. He said Layne was above them all. He could literally feel Layne's voice on a set. He was insanely talented!
2:20
"What I love about this... absolutely everything. Just, raw, honest and so real"
Miss you Layne 🙏
@J Lo 13
I just couldn't agree more!
Even though there's people in this thread saying he sounds bad (or not at his top level) I can't really hear it. Tbh I usually don't really care for perfect pitch or perfect performances. The only thing that matters to me is if a singer is able to get his emotions across, and does this in such a way that it makes your bones grow cold and your heart skip a beat or two. This, combined with the way the band chimes in, with all of the luscious ornamentations on the bass, makes a great performance for me.
Wow, this made me cry. It's so obvious that Layne is going through hell right here, seeing him sort of closing his eyes and shying away from the camera.... He had one of the most genuine voices I've ever heard, and right here I feel like he was really uncomfortable... Such a delicate, beautiful soul.
No he was high
He wasn't high, he was just well. When you're in the stage of heroin addiction that layne was you rarely even get high. You just get well enough to function.
@@bradsully6620 I read the backstory from Jerry Cantrell, he was whatever you wanna call it from doing heriin
He was actually so high that he was almost completely nodded off and wasn't able to keep his eyes open..And still pulled this off..AMAZING..R.I.P. 🐐
The one thing I love about Alice is that Layne, as the lead singer, pretty much always did the 'harmony part' while Jerry carried the melody. For me, their vocal interplay was absolutely unmatched, No Excuses from unplugged being the perfect example
I've always loved how Jerry winks and nods with a big smile to someone in the back. Like "hell Yea thats layne muthafucking staley" then layne looks over like "how's that" lol
I say that all the time "Hes Layne MFN Staley"
I think he was nodding at Mike because of the bass line, but yours sounds better.
Couldn’t have said it better myself
@@bradsully6620 I think you're right. Jerry does give Layne a similar look not long after though. I think he was just vibing with how everyone was performing. He knew that something special was happening.
My favorite vocal tandem ever. This was the first show they had played in a very long time, and there was some doubt about Layne. This is Jerry saying "He's killing it" 04:05
yes that smile meant so much!
what about Jon and Richie?
It being himself
The fact that he had lost most of of his teeth at this point and was still being articulate is amazing.
The raw footage of this performance is nuts. They had to stop and start constantly because he was so messed up. Literally had to have a person help him from sliding off the stool at points.
yet watching it, you wouldn't have known that. Ive only recently been introduced to them, particularly this concert and i never felt anything like it when i 1st saw it. Nutshell made me cry.
Where can this raw version be viewed?
He wasn't so messed up. He did just enough here to be able to function and not be sick. His mistakes in this show were from not singing for a long time before this. He had the weight of the world on his shoulders here, everything was falling apart including his relationships with loved ones and his health. He did an admirable job here considering.
that’s not true girl
I was a Hair Metal guy and sad when grunge changed everything. That being said, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden were so damn good, and we've sadly lost to absolutely incredible vocalists.
He was on H in the 80s. And they were not new.
3, dont forget about Kurt Cobain. Layne, Chris, and Kurt In that order
Thank God alternative grunge rock came along to put hair bands in the past.
A huge thank you to my parents for being so cool they would sit through some of the best 90s concerts just so I could attend. Without them I would have never seen AIC, Nirvana, Jane's Addiction, Blind Melon etc. Of course I was dragged to shows like Phil Collins, Billy Joel, Pink Floyd and John Denver. Which way is the time machine?
It was well worth the sacrifice.
@@anypoxynames Being dragged to Pink Floyd, huh? Some sacrifice! lol
Your parents dragged you some awesome shows, and you returned the favour. I'd swap just about anything to have spent the 90's like that.
@@pandersodlands6081 I knew someone would pick up on that. I just couldn't be sraed to give them a big up,lol.
you were dragged to pink floyd. oh my i feel so bad for you. psych. you are lucky.
I heard Layne’s performance described as singing his own funeral. Not many are willing to display their pain on that level and create pure magic.
Ya I heard that too - prolly pretty true huh
"I just hear pain in his voice." Truest thing I've heard about this performance. I've been a big AIC fan since I first heard them in the early 90s, but I don't think I ever truly appreciated the authenticity of their music, and the pure magic they created, until Layne passed away. It's weird how the loss of someone you personally never met can hurt.
Their song "Nutshell" from that performance was just the most epic way to start that concert off
The way he walks in, sits down, and sings flawlessly is so fucking gangster. I showed this concert to my kids a few months ago and was trying to get them to understand how goddamn perfect and cool that moment is.
True. Impressive
very true. one of my most favorite songs ever. the live version hits so much deeper.
Layne was pretty much already dying when he gave this performance. On the day of filming, the rest of AIC didn't know if he would show up (either not be able to, or might have decided not to) let alone if he would be in any condition to sing anything, or he might have tried to sing but his voice might not have been up to it, or couldn't read the lyrics (etc). The smile which Jerry Cantrell gives at 4:11 of your video is the smile of "Hell yeah! *This* is the Layne we dearly love and who we desperately hoped & wanted/needed to see." A performer at the height of their powers, putting all of their soul into the music for friends, the band, the fans and musical history...even though they know their life is irrevocably fading away right in front of their own eyes. A truly dedicated and epic performance. RIP Layne. Greatly missed. [el'sda2].
He died almost a decade after this performance.
@@jabbadabba1978 6 years later, but yea. This was one of his last performances.
@@jabbadabba1978 slow suicide is no way to go -mad season, wake up
He was a big part of decorating and setting this up. He had been away with Mad Season. He was not near death here, just sick, AND THEY KNEW HED BE THERE.
DYING? Calm down. 😂 He died in 2002.
The lyrics are just fantastic, wow. Rarely had such a deep emotional feeling. Their voices are amazing, the harmonies.. I live for great harmonisation and THEY nailed it. And you, you're looking stunning! I'm in love with you hair and makeup!! Also, let ME take care of Suki. I'm pretty good at grooming. Queen gets what she deserves. 😍
I'd bet that you love Fleet Foxes...am I right?
My god, this still rips my soul apart, even after all these years. This song followed me into the darkest depths of pain and self-destruction I've ever known, and yet...I still love it like I've never loved anything in my life.
Layne, I miss you, my brother.
When he sang “but my wings have been so denied” I was waiting for the pause button to be hit lol. I remember the first time I heard that, fell in love with this song
My favorite all time Band being reacted to by my favorite TH-cam influencer. Did I die and go to heaven?
Gosh really? That's super kind.
And yes welcome to heaven
I always felt almost bad for Jerry who has such a wonderful voice but Layne's voice was so incredibly unique and raw.
But it was Layne who encourage Jerry to sing and especially in the songs that he wrote. Layne was a huge advocate and push for Jerry who felt that he couldn't stand up to Layne's voice but they mesh so very well together it's amazing
Hi Rebecca! Hope you're well. Great choice to react. Layne was amazing. If you haven't heard The Rooster, you should check it out. And the story behind the song. So powerful.
You can hear the top harmony because that’s what was planned and sung on the album by Layne.
And we all wish we could hug him too.
"The dark descent of Layne Staley" documentary is an incredibly sad one but it documents what he was goin through up until the end pretty well.
The story behind this performance makes it that much more heart wrenching. His voice will never be replicated.
I get bummed every time I see this performance. The pain is right there for all to see.
What is the story behind the performance, if I may ask.
@@luizr7400 This was if I'm not mistake one of Layne's last performances with Alice in Chains he died a few years later
@@luizr7400 he was heavily withdrawing trying to kick smack and opioids. To get through the performance which was about four hours in total taping time he took a small hit. Just enough to be lucid but not fall asleep during the recording. It was literally his goodbye performance to his fans and life.
@@famousatmidnight15 knowing that this was somewhat the beginning of the end makes it so much sadder in hindsight. The irony of this song was that it was written about another friend who was an addict yet we are literally watching Layne headed to his own grave.
An amazing performance and the best Unplugged ever. I listen to this at least a few times each week.
The most impressive thing about Laynes voice to me is how he was able to reach and sustain those high notes keeping so much pressure and strength throughout.
Layne was a vocal god. RIP fella..
How did he die? I assume why but don't know for sure
@@jadenking4268 heroin overdose
@@chrisp9975 such a waste
@@jadenking4268 indeed
God? Hmm
5:16 "I just want to hug him so much"
Same 😥 every time I hear his vocals, whether he was sick or not.
This is the only RVA video I've seen.
I was impressed. It touched me that this music touched her (and isn't that what these reaction videos are for?)
but beyond that .... she strikes me as quirky, funny, and *hot* .
So win win win win 😍
I will rewatch this one before proceeding on to any others.
It is astounding how a single syllable, emphasized in a particular way, can affect how the song is heard. How two singers can find harmony while singing different lyrics, within the same melody. How one person singing one lyric can momentarily be in the same place as another person singing a different lyric, and then continue on in different directions. One of my favourite AiC songs. Magic. Chemistry. I don't know what to call it. But, DAMN, I can't hear it often enough.
Nutshell unplugged is a MUST !
This whole concert is legendary.
🤘❤🇨🇦
Oh Layne... :( you can see hes so fragile and frail... drowning in his addiction.. its actually heartbreaking seeing him sing this... its very sad 😔
Becca you should do “ man in the box” by AIC to appreciate his power vocal next. Layne Staley was an immense vocalist with a fantastic range from ballads to powerful & always in perfect pitch
This was one of the last performances Staley ever did---by this time he was in deep trouble, and it's actually quite amazing he was able to finish the set. RIP Layne, you deserved better.
I can always feel Laynes pain in his vocals, he expressed things with his vocals he couldnt find a way to express with his every day personality ( where he was goofy and always laughing despite how he was actually feeling). This performance specifically makes me cry my eyes out every time
R.I.P. Layne, the most unique voice in grunge. You are missed.
Fun as always. You're by far the best "vocal coach reaction" on youtube because you're the funnest. Keep them coming!
I cried when Layne came out (when I watched the original airing back in the day). He was merely a shadow of himself. You can't critique his mechanics, because he was high beyond imagination. Mostly why he sits there lifeless with his head down and eyes closed. It wasn't his best "professional" or "technical" performance, but the pain he was feeling bled all over this performance and that's what made it amazing. And Layne is Layne, so even though this was not his BEST, it was still stunning and REAL. Gone too soon.
So heartbreaking! Everytime I watch I cry seeing such a shell of a man pouring out a beautiful performance and knowing he went through 6 more yrs of this pain.
Staley and Cantrell had such amazing harmonization 👍
Substantial gift and tragic loss. Such a haunting voice with wonderful ability and control. Loved and missed. Thank you for the spotlight, Rebecca.
Hoping you react to more AIC. Layne had a vocal projection like none other and could really soar. His best vocal performances are on the Facelift/Dirt albums IMO.
Thanks for this! Glad to have you back. :)
This unplugged performance is quite possibly the greatest live music performance of the 90s and probably the best of any since. Absolutely raw down to the bone. I still get chills listening to this 25 years later.
Greatest vocalist ever. You do understand that he was so physically destroyed by his heroin addiction that he lost most of his teeth. So he is singing when his life was almost over, with nearly no teeth, and still able to sing like that. He also had a note sheet in front of him to remind him of the words.
"I just feel pain in his voice" ... honestly his voice and emotions that they convey were so important to me.
We miss you, Layne.
He was well and truly in the throws of addiction by this time and you can see it. Heartbreaking for those of us that witnessed him on stage prior to this. Such a formidable force. I feel lucky to have seen AIC with Layne 4 times during the early nineties and it hit hard when we lost him. Just like Chris Cornell more recently.
Damnit. Gone far too soon.
So glad that I got to see Layne live before he left us for somewhere he could finally find peace.... A band that showed emotion in its purest and also darkest glory,
Alice in Chains... The honour was mine 🖤🖤🖤
Definitely one of THE best "Grunge" bands ever. Layne's excruciating and piercing vocals always manage to tug on my soul. Your thoughts were soooo spot on. You get it.
One of the most hauntingly beautiful performances in music history. Every emotion captured in this song!
I never got to see AIC when Lane was alive. He was such an amazing singer. My daughter just turned 14 and is getting into 90’s rock and I took her to AIC two months ago and I was impressed. At times it was obvious it wasn’t Lane but there were a few songs where dude sounded dead on to Lane. I was impressed overall.
Such an incredible voice, sad and heartbreaking seeing him strung out like this. He is still missed.
The whole story surrounding this episode is sad.
it’s sad how early he was taken from. one of the greatest voices i’ve ever heard
This performance was chilling, I felt him his pain and sorrows one of the best MTV Unplugged show I ever saw!! Rest in Peace Layne Staley you are truly missed!!💔
This was my favorite Unplugged, my favorite song, favorite era, with my favorite singer. This song really changed my life. I could feel his pain and anguish with every word. His deep connection to the lyrics. This album was just sheer poetry, and I am so honored to have been on this planet to be able to hear it. My biggest regret is never being able to see him sing live in concert, but AIC did a wonderful tribute to him when they performed here. He had a unique ability to draw you in, and make you feel it to your core. He and Jerry fought horribly, but they harmonized so well together. Jar of Flies resonated within me at that point in time. Some people will never understand how much their songs mean to some people. And, for him I will be eternally grateful. Thanks for covering his legacy. Layne will live on. A flame snuffed too soon.
He was such a tormented man and could sing in a way that you could feel his pain.
One of the few singers whose voice gives me goosebumps
I remember really looking forward to this performance before it aired as I was a huge Alice fan. I remember taking one look at Layne and being like "Fuck..."
I remember seeing Layne in 1996, backstage at a Dick Dale concert of all places, and thinking he looked terrible then. By the time the unplugged show happened I was wishing he could go back to 96.
Hi AIC is legendary
Really enjoyed your commentary Rebecca, and hearing the song through your perspective. AIC are fantastic and Dirt the album a formative part of my late teens. Thanks
The first "down in a hole" is the most honest delivered line any artist has delivered that I can recall. You could see how the words literally hit him, like him saying them out loud made him realise just how truly down in that hole he was, and he knew he was too far down to get out. Truly beautiful, and heart breaking
10:47 "I just hear pain in his voice." Layne's life was one of pain and by this point in his life, the drugs were bad. All he knew was pain.
Got Me Wrong, from the same unplugged session, is my favorite Layne performance.
the drummer carried that entire show. he set the tempo early, slowed it down...amazing.
Jerry carried the show but Sean was phenomenal on drums and Inez killed it on bass, the whole band was fantastic but Jerry had without a doubt the biggest role in the show.
renovate: I've heard this recently as well, that it is 'the drummer' that needs to keep the pace
for the rest of them, and is more difficult during stripped down performances. Nice to see Sean recognized for his talent, too.
@@casey10bb drums and bass are both very important in that aspect and are usually very in sync with each other, both Sean and Inez were perfect during this show. They may not be the stars of the show like Jerry and Layne but it wouldn’t have been the same without them.
The sounds of a dying man who knew he had one or two last left in him..... I'm 42 n it's been 25 years n we still listen to this and their catalogue as often as our weekend alcohol allows....
You’re guessing: I wrote this
IM 44 yrs old and I still get goose bumps when i hear Layne sing.
As much as Lane is missing, Black Gives Way To Blue was still the best comeback album of all time.
I was shocked at how good that album was. After a 15 year hiatus and a change of an iconic lead singer, it had absolutely no business being that good.
Watching this brings me to tears every time… knowing the turmoil they were going through, how layne died alone, and the last thing he ever did was beg a band member not to leave him alone in that house. And then they found him dead 2 weeks later…
reason his eyes were closed and he came out with glasses was because he was high as a kite. depression and drugs arent a good mix. one of the best rock/grunge singers ever
I saw an interview with Jerry Cantrell and he said Layne took just enough to function during this show.
He was pretty messed up at this point in his life.
Your watching a masterpiece. This gig goes down in history as the best of the unplugged sessions! PERIOD
Just love this reaction to this track. Why? You highlight all of the hidden gems in this performance.
I never thought much of this track in my youth, I was about 20. Revisiting it now, with you, has given me a new perspective.
Thanks!
Hi Rebecca! You might this interesting.
th-cam.com/video/2vPPHskCf3w/w-d-xo.html
I love this girls voice.
Obviously, the band/song helps. Sound quality is quite good, etc.
On the bass guitar is written "Friends don't let friends get Friends haircuts." This was a dig at Metallica, who had just released their Load album, and had all cut their hair short.
I wonder if they all cut their hair because Lars was starting to bald.
thats amazing, i never knew that!
@@johnk1818 I recall Jason saying the haircuts were the result of a bet, but never heard what the bet was. Of course, he may have been making that up, too.
They were sitting in the audience as well.
Thank you. This song means so much too me.