How Alice in Chains MTV Unplugged Concert Could've Been a Disaster

[@rnrtruestories]

Favourite song from the performance?

[@rnrtruestories]

Nutshell or Down in a Hole for me

[@dwade6322]

Down in a hole.

[@jtp336]

Would?

[@lesclaypoolonbass9431]

@@rnrtruestories nutshell fo sho

[@JustSteph532]

Nutshell

[@RumbleFish69]

Nirvana always gets credit for their unplugged performance, which I will say is terrific, but for me, Alice in Chains is the premiere Unplugged performance. Even with Layne at his supposed weakest, he still gave what many consider to be one of the best and strongest Unplugged performances of all time. Their performance of "Nutshell" is absolutely haunting!

[@kurdtjohn]

Nutshell and No Excuses sounded better there than on Jar of Flies. I absolutely love Nirvana’s Unplugged performance, but Alice in Chains took it to a different level.

[@TheStepmonkey]

Absolutely, AiC gave the best unplugged show ever💗

[@manuelhernandez6801]

@@TheStepmonkey I had not seen a band nail their songs so well. literally could have been an in studio album. It was the best unplugged by any band.

[@ryanselley5826]

Totally agree! Those are my two favorite unplugged concerts, both were excellent, but Alice in Chains performance was legendary.

[@coreygolphenee9633]

it's Alice in chains or blind melon

[@4200timeB]

We've seen this story 1000 times in one shape or another but it's always something I'll watch . AIC was a favorite then an they killed unplugged. Dirt best album of that era . Rip Layne an Starr.

[@nickphillips1721]

My all-time favorite band, singer(s) and guitarist. Ever since the first ten seconds of Facelift! What a gift, thank you!

[@coreygolphenee9633]

4:39 concern and awe in Jerry Cantrells face there, it's a heartbreaking still

[@68hoffman]

I did get to see alice in chains open a kiss show in st.louis in 1996 ..there is a video somewhere of that ..i was offered to buy a copy from the guy who shot it ..but i passed ..i kinda muffed up there :)

[@wesrobert4716]

I read that Cantrell had food poisoning days before the show due to a hotdog sandwich

[@jtrider3779]

Nutshell from the Unplugged album will still get me teary eyed, and give me goosebumps to this day. Such a hauntingly beautiful song.

[@TheIndependentLens]

That's me with "Don't Follow" on "Jar of Flies."

[@johnneal7169]

I'm with you on nutshell unplugged. What a simple, short worded,yet cuts right to the bone song. And I don't mean "simple" as an insult. They could've easily added other sounds or another verse to beef it up but didn't. IMO, it's a masterpiece in its simplest form. I'm very prejudiced when it comes to that song.

[@HolyShnikeez_1975]

The entrance by Layne is epic. He just walks out sits down and immediately starts belting out the first lyrics 🤘

[@bradyneff5654]

chilling.

[@jtrider3779]

@@myfavoritebigbootylatina6980 irrelevant to the current topic… are you an Alex Stein fan by chance? 😂

[@thomasapostolico2969]

Layne was such in bad shape but sang like an angel, that performance chokes me up every time.

[@hallucinationthoughts]

Even at his worst Layne could absolutely tear it up

[@bobbyblair6862]

At his worst, he was unable to go on stage 😪

[@raqueledwards6061]

💯 😁😎🤘🤘

[@raqueledwards6061]

@@bobbyblair6862 😭😭😭😭😪

[@brandvilla6592]

Same with Scott Weiland

[@raqueledwards6061]

@@brandvilla6592 💗🤘

[@michaelborne7506]

This is my favorite album by any artist. Just hearing the sound of death knocking in Layne's voice is hauntingly beautiful.

[@emilyarante9593]

RIP Layne. We miss you 💜

[@Gothgalactica]

🖤ALWAYS🖤

[@Loki_Morningstar666]

Still one of my all time favorite albums. Jerry's backing vocals really made that performance come alive.

[@FishinPhreak]

At his worst; teeth rotted out, malnourished, fiending for heroin, Layne was eons better than damn near any lead singer on the market in 2022. Without a question, the single greatest Unplugged session of the series.

[@SuperBroncosguy]

Respect.

[@mr.forexrichgm7873]

Amen brother! A-fckuing-men!

[@ko-rp7ge]

That's a reach

[@BillyTheKidOfficialYT]

They just don’t make em like layne anymore

[@ExcitedAnacondaSnake-hg8ec]

He hadn’t lost any teeth. People always blame H. He was also a crak addict. That’s what led to his demise, you can live a long time on dope.

[@markkasper7281]

An iconic performance, the vibe and soulfulness is amazing

[@shawnkrauss2639]

Everything about that concert was amazing. One of the greatest voices in rock history belonged to Layne.

[@kron520]

Best Unplugged session and even better with the outtakes.

[@lee-daniels]

That entire Unplugged session was a spiritual moment in musical history.

[@breefitzgerald2037]

Yes it was....very....

[@roosterj2599]

Oh yes. Definitely transcending and spiritual. I am so happy I picked up a copy of Facelift back in 1990. Been in love ever since.

[@FoxE.Paradox]

Oh fo sho! 🥰🥺😎😭😍

[@Marco-717]

Gay

[@jdg5712]

Absolutely

[@meyeboy2]

This one was my all time favorite Unplugged show because it was so raw and deep and you can see how deep down the drug hole layne was in and he poured his heart out in his singing

[@robertdoyle9180]

I literally can’t get enough of these Aic videos you make. Idk what else you can cover, but keep ‘em rolling out if you got more content👍

[@rnrtruestories]

Thanks

[@TheStepmonkey]

Sameee

[@BabyCharlotteschannel]

Absolutely, anything and everything with these guys, ESP Layne Staley of course 🙏🙏👍👍

[@adambomb138]

@@TheStepmonkey You wrote "Sammy". You repeat the "A" or "M". Never repeat the silent vowel, it changes the word. Still, most everyone does though...

[@nolandavis2927]

I keep Up Sticking With Nirvanas Music and Alice in Chainses Music 🤟👍

[@HugoStiglitz88]

Layne is one of the GOATs, so sad what happened to him. There's nothing worse than the withdrawals from that stuff. Nothing

[@rabbidcow2135]

Yep, puts you in a box. Makes you feel things your body and mind can't tolerate but it still ravages you. Killed all my friends family and favorite artists. When will it end man?

[@markkennedy5335]

Hands down the best of the Unplugged era. 👏👏

[@rnrtruestories]

Agreed

[@mirkomedjed9845]

After nirvana

[@markkennedy5335]

@@mirkomedjed9845 yah Nah

[@OscarOffTheCuff]

@@mirkomedjed9845 nope. Alice In Chains was the best unplugged ever

[@josephwalker1853]

Stp takes it in my opinion

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I love Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots unplugged. But Alice In Chains unplugged was the best of all

[@SynIMPFML666]

Frogs gives me chills to this day. That song made me get sober

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

Congrats

[@akadkins69]

hopefully you are still sober

[@SynIMPFML666]

@@akadkins69 yes, going on 3 years. Everytime I feel like I'm about to relapse, I put on dirt by AIC AND FIGHT THROUGH

[@akadkins69]

@@SynIMPFML666 congratulations to you! i hope you continue your success

[@akadkins69]

whats your story with addic? if you dont mind sharing

[@jonaswhite5842]

Rest in Peace Layne. Your music will always live on

[@sandarmccrorey6138]

In April of 1991 I was in rehab with Layne he was an amazing human being 💚💛🧡💜💙

[@LucasPenido]

One of the best Unpluggeds ever! Its definitely bittersweet bc you could see Layne was not in a good shape.

[@MrGrey-vo2og]

The best!!!

[@ghostintheshell3576]

I think it's the best unplugged concert. Just in front of Nirvana.

[@ghostintheshell3576]

I think it's the best unplugged concert. Just in front of Nirvana.

[@Naught359]

Yet you couldn't show enough respect to spell his name properly.

[@madamefeast4824]

Layne* not Laney. Laney Stanley would be a terrible stage name lol

[@bobthebear1246]

God, this brings tears to my eyes. Such a great band whose original existence was too short. A one-of-a-kind. 😥 R.I.P. Layne

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

Even a shell of his former self he could still mesmerise you with his voice

[@JeffScottKing]

The AIC Unplugged special may very well be my favorite Unplugged ever (yes, even more than Nirvana).

[@TheBustedNut]

I can remember watching it live on MTV that night, I felt really bad for the whole band but especially for Layne, you could see he was just wasted. Really sad 😔 favorite for me besides nutshell I always loved to here them play would.

[@jamesl5550]

The way Jerry speaks about it becoming clear that AiC was nearing its true end and also the fact that an addict has to want to help themselves first is a pretty harrowing thing to hear if you try to imagine how the others must've felt at that time. They all knew Layne was a dead man walking, hell, Layne knew it best, the lyrics on much of Tripod read like a farewell letter. Hopefully he is at peace now, he never lost his spark and ripped the stage every night despite the chaos around him.

[@dwade6322]

I never get tired of A.I.C. vids on here! 🤟

[@jonbourgoin182]

AIC has to be the band you've covered most on this channel

[@OGStinkywizzleteats]

As it should be.

[@vandavis911]

i cryed every time seeing layne staley in that shape. rip layne staley.

[@jamalsampson9389]

Their unplugged session was actually awesome! 👍😎 I actually remember seeing this segment on KZbin a few years ago. Good upload!

[@eshep71]

I used to listen to this at night as I fell asleep

[@yuothineyesasian]

Same here. Nice to meet ya.

[@MeLoNHeAd00]

I still do lol

[@eshep71]

I threw it on right after this video haha

[@Gottisoi]

“Layne had to hide his scars and years of drug abuse, and jerry had a belly ache”

[@Skithuvid2355]

I would say; After this performance, grunge was officially dead. As soon they walked of that stage grunge was dead

[@redwoodguitarstudio4429]

I suspect Jerry did a lot more drugs than he lets on; when he says he was feeling rough "by my own hand," I don't think he's talking about a hot dog.

[@perc3136]

He drank a lot

[@austinnasset288]

Also watch the Gibson interview with Jerry Cantrell. A full history in his own words. He is without a doubt the most solid and talented player and writer to ever come out of Seattle.

[@mattmcclain829]

That Gibson interview was amazing. Jerry is very talented and very cordial at the same time. I'd love to hang out with him for an afternoon!

[@lesclaypoolonbass9431]

I'm so mad at myself for not going to their show in Kansas city last month. Would have been my first time. I hope they come back. I know they're getting old

[@dwade6322]

You'll have time...they still had pretty big hits after Layne's death,and Cantrell seems pretty happy to keep touring all these years.

[@nylontusk1289]

Oh don't you worrie brother...Jerry has so much left give and alot of music left in him and he's nowhere near ready end Alice just yet...in fact I believe the best in the Duvall era has yet to come so don't worry about missing your opportunity...they will come back around. Jerry loves Kansas city... there is a good bit of history he has with that city. Peace and love Long Live Layne and Alice!!! 🖤🤲💙

[@lesclaypoolonbass9431]

@@nylontusk1289 ya dude. Will definitely try to see them next year

[@kennypowers3984]

Due to that mindset, I bought a VIP package for the current tour for end of this month. Went all out on it too!!!

[@dr00andrew]

they still kill it live. duvall is absolutely incredible, great vocalist and its so nice to have another skilled guitarist playing live. saw them in ac 5 years ago, camden last month and going to their show at pnc in a few weeks

[@barbaraa.taylor9488]

One of the best shows they ever did and one of the best moments of the movement

[@allyourbasearebelongtous2191]

Poor Layne. He needed someone willing to walk through the fire to keep him here. He definitely had people that loved him all the way. Don't get me wrong. He had hit bottom but he didn't have anyone willing to jump down in the shit and pull him up out of it. 3 weeks. Three. Weeks. That's how long he was in that room rotting. I'm an addict and have pushed people away. I am very good at it. Thing is I have a couple of people that are really good at not being pushed. He didn't have that. Fuck man. I mean when life gets going its hard. It's real hard. And when you got someone like me that makes your soul heavy because we are so self destructive it's too easy to just walk away and let things go their natural way. If you don't have that person or 2 willing to tear their own heart out to put it in you then you end up in a hole. Poor Layne. None of that is saying he didn't have people willing to suffer for him. People did that for him for years. He just needed it a little longer. Layne needed real help. It's ok now though. No more pain. No more bone deep aches. No more of that for him. He suffered but now he's ok. Miss you Layne.

[@MJJYANA]

💓

[@duelingglocks]

The whole unplugged set was just fkng tremendously legendary my favorite unplugged set from all bands that done it even over nirvana not saying that I didn’t like all of the other bands that have done it just AIC was my favorite

[@daBEAGLE1017]

I was at AICs 2nd acoustic set in Milwaukee at the Rave 2007. Mad respect for William.

[@sjjeieej4029]

Shut up

[@brandonobaza8610]

8:03 Yes, a song that truly "shreds" shreds acoustically. It's why I desperately want to hear acoustic versions of Nile songs, and why I consider Mozart fucking metal.

[@garmurphy3001]

Love aic plugged or unplugged

[@ThePowerman121]

Hands down the best unplugged album.

[@richterbelmont8532]

I was blown away the first time I saw the full show on DVD. Absolutely legendary and probably the most heartfelt performance I’ve ever seen from a rock band period. All those songs got me through some really dark times as well. It was pure art. No gimmicks. Alice at their full potential. It’s so emotional that sometimes it’s hard to watch the whole thing. All of them are so talented.

[@ApolloBassGuitar]

Alice might be the only band to go no.1 as an album and not even tour to gain hype

[@Marco-717]

Again, don't do drugs. Not even weed. Stick to coffee and get hooked on good things, like painting, music, working out, etc

[@r.edward5701]

Hash is the way

[@jbo4547]

Weed > caffeine

[@LoungeLizard_33]

Caffeine is way worse for you than weed

[@Marco-717]

@@LoungeLizard_33 says who? You? Lmao thanks for the laugh bud

[@LoungeLizard_33]

@@Marco-717 LOL okay man

[@deztroyer76]

So where was the part where it “was almost as disaster”?

[@SirWeedBongVentura]

Good video. Thumb up. I've got this on DVD/CD. One of my favorite 'Live Albums' & most favorite MTV Unplugged set.

[@jlogue751]

The best things are always on the verge of complete disaster

[@yermoffroad]

Good lord. Lars has a pod cast? Christ is it 12 hours long? That dude can talk and talk talk

[@mxcope]

IMO the greatest live recording of all time.

[@McCrapweasel]

I never liked AIC Unplugged. Watching Layne croak his way through those songs tore my heart out; It's when I knew for sure he was going to die. RIP, man. I choose to remember you as the powerhouse motherfucker you were.

[@indamaking]

From almost disaster to a masterpiece. Still wish to this day we could’ve gotten a Soundgarden unplugged

[@forcetheedges]

Love Soundgarden, but when I try to picture a Soundgarden unplugged, it just doesn't seem like it would work that well. Even with a song like "Black Hole Sun", the heavy bridge part, the way it hangs in the air, seems like an integral part of the song. "Fell on Black Days" and "Head Down" would work, but I can't think of enough other good candidates for a full set.

[@riggshomestead-fast9524]

Chris did an acoustic version of like a stone and fell on black days for sure. Check em out if you haven't heard.

[@indamaking]

@@forcetheedges the way every other big grunge band made it work, I doubt Soundgarden couldn’t have. There’s songs in each of the other unplugged’s that I assumed wouldn’t have sounded good but the genius of each band made it work.

[@mrjones6118]

Seasons... 🙂

[@adelords]

Technically, they did, just not MTV Unplugged

[@ssherrierable]

I thought it was food poisoning Jerry! Now the truth comes and you were sick by your own hand huh 😂. That’s them pockets full of cocaine that lanagen said you always had…

[@drg6161]

This was easily the best of the unplugged performances. I can't even think of a second place

[@wheelz23]

It was most definitely, on the front of Mike's bass 😎. AIC fan for life.

[@ATGC597]

What are you bluring? This is unwatchable

[@Cfolger]

I love all your alice in chains videos,

[@rnrtruestories]

Thanks

[@HipsterBlackMetalOfficial]

Lmfaoooo metallica were at that unplugged and "friends" of the band? Bruh didn't they make fun of Laynes drug use in a concert lmfaoooo and this was after his passing too lmfao. Wasnt it so bad that they got booed off

[@Meterman13]

They opened for Kiss in Detroit and killed it RIPLayne!

[@TheManorBeast]

Him doing this gig and getting through it is one of the greatest musical Performances of all time

[@TheStepmonkey]

Love ur AiC videos💗 please do more🙏

[@GeneralCF]

I love how much you love AIC. It makes these videos more significant

[@WeLuv9x5]

Best ever live recording from any band!

[@MCM_Savage]

Jeez, I just can't stand Lars. R.I.P. Layne Staley. 🙏☝️❤️😔

[@djtforever1414]

I bought the AIC Unplugged CD in 1996 and i thought it was the 2nd-best Unplugged album. 26 years later I still think the same.

[@comeflynextome94]

In a way I feel kind of bad watching/listening to AiC's "Unplugged" show. Even though he survived another 6 years, it still feels like watching and listening to Layne dying. That said, even at his worst, Layne sounded fantastic. You can't say that about a whole lot of musicians.

[@SOAMLE]

Sad that Soundgarden never got an unplugged

[@GB-xr1cv]

seen a live performance where my man was going through it. I’m talking breaking down on stage and getting on both knees and just talking non sense as in making noises. He also had a moment where he just laid down for a solid three minutes. I hated seeing him like that and there so much that happened in his life to why he had fallen to such a crutch. I don’t think he was a great influence. Don’t get me a wrong; a god on the mic. I couldn’t listen to anybody singing Alice In Chains other than Jerry alone or with the full Og band. Layne had a gift and who knows when we’ll get another voice like that and even if we do it’s not gonna be the same. Man such a shame that he left us early but I’m forever grateful for the music he wrote. My favorite song is again and head creeps. Layne wrote both and if you just read the lyrics our boy needed help. He just wasn’t accepting it from anyone and in all interviews of AIC the band explained that he denied everything. The addiction and the help. I can ramble on and on but it won’t mean a thing because I didn’t know and neither did any of you. Not like a friend at least. Closest person he had though was mark lanegan and he explained the reasons of why he lost his battle to the addiction. Idk I just miss the music and miss the nostalgic feeling of going through the albums and finding a new song I’ve never heard before. RIP to a kind and a legend. GET BORN AGAIN

[@stanleyipkiss6248]

Best Mtvs Unplugged

[@timorean320]

My fav Unplugged.

[@Wolfdragon92584]

My first AIC album, all the way back from 2003!!! I love how they included heavier stuff like "Sludge Factory." And hearing those basslines with flatwound/tapewound strings really adds resonance that was unheard in the original studio recordings. And supposedly, Layne was borderline in withdrawals cuz he took just enough of his stuff to keep him from being sick. What an amazing voice and frontman!!!! Rest well Layne and Mike, and others!!!!

[@bigpunchee]

That's the best Unplugged of all time. It actually produced the best versions of those songs ever heard. As troubled as it seemed it came across quite rehearsed, nearly flawless imho

[@YoungDeathWish]

down in a hole is amazing from that performance, better than the original

[@jbusta8548]

RIP Layne 🙏

[@marcusfaze]

Literally fell asleep to the Frogs performance last night

[@richardharvey216]

So Sad. That he couldn't help himself out of the hell that is dope!! RIP Layne

[@littlecatedward7737]

Alice n chains unplugged performance was the best of that entire series. I hold it just above nirvana

[@derekpierkowski7641]

Guess I'll have to cut Lars some slack. He appeared to be a thoughtful person there for a second. But then I've always loved Alice. Metaleaka, eeeeeeh

[@LukeSherrow]

You can see the horrible pain in Layne's face and eyes. It's so heart breaking seeing a person suffer like that. His demons got the best of him but he left us with masterpiece after masterpiece. I will always be thankful for Layne's music cause it got me through my darkest days. Rest in peace Layne and Mike. ALICE IN CHAINS WILL LIVE ON FOREVER

[@markusstewart9298]

Surprised Jerry even talks to anyone from Metallica after Metallica made fun of Layne on stage.

[@bobbyllockhart7829]

Layne actually sings the wrong words on a song or two at the unplugged show & he was noticable high & not on weed. lol yeah Layne was one of the best vocalist ever! 🤘🤘🤘

[@Banana_Split_Cream_Buns]

If one has to be honest, it wasn't the best performance, especially as it seemed to drift off towards the end. But you got a performance that featured a sick and dying man who was barely hanging on. It had a lot of raw character in it.

[@jondunn1826]

There was a ton of emotion and feelings flowing during that show. Unfortunately layne was dying in front of everyone's eyes.

[@neonreign2988]

Honestly, I'm grateful that both this album and Mad Season Above exist (both live and the studio version). Layne Staley gave an insurmountable performance in these two albums despite his declining health with addiction. It's subjective, but I firmly believe he's one of, if not the GREATEST vocalist ever; his octave, vibrato, and power were otherworldly! He deserves far more recognition and consideration for his raw talent.

[@USSCYT]

Hey man! Nice to see how popular you have gotten! I remember back before you changed your pfp. Cool to see your content and video style has remained mostly the same!

[@davidowens2067]

Unplugged is a Masterpiece.

[@btwarner2124]

So sad. I wish Layne could have gotten off the drugs.

[@dominiksawadsky5545]

I dont understand how they can be friends with metallica when James H. made fun of laynes addiction and death...

[@richardharvey216]

So Sad that No one could help him!! And he passed away Alone.

[@sim7409]

can't stand lars

[@michaelchambers6273]

Aic and Metallica weren't exactly friends Mike Starr roasted sold out Metallicas new look lmao. James Hetfield being the front man of Metallica mocked/made fun of Alice In Chains because they were supposed to tour together but Layne went to rehab so James made a complete ass of himself even his own crowd/fans were pissed off and in shock. Ironically from what I understand James went into rehab shortly after degrading Layne for the same shit one of the biggest reasons I've grown bitter towards Metallica as many other metal heads the sold out so hard to fit in with generic garbage mean while Pantera didn't lose their true metal roots they literally said that they didn't want to end up like Metallicas later music is a piss poor excuse for metal, Pantera dominated that era rip Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul

[@Xeroforte]

They were friends, and they still are. Unlike a lot of music fans, they know how to get over shit.

[@sheeplehunter9651]

RIP Layne

[@miguelsilva683]

Se houver uma máquina do tempo, não quero ir ao futuro, queria ver este espetáculo aí vivo e poder conseguir Abraçar Layne Stanley, Mark lenang Scott Weiland Chris Cornell,que saudades

[@shonenjumpmagneto]

You've covered the making of *'Dirt' & 'Unplugged' by Alice In Chains.* Do all the albums!