Layne Staley Interview Alice in Chains 1996 part 1 of 2

[@AndrewLemmings]

It's kinda messed up how everyone remembers him as a junkie. He was human, we all make mistakes. That's part of life. He may have done heroin and coke and all the drugs in the world. Who hasn't at least experimented with something or thought about it. Remember him for his strengths and talents. not his bad habits. We all have some form of a bad habit. Listen to him, his music. Leave it at that. Respect him and his loved ones. RIP Layne Thomas Staley

[@jestermindcrime1773]

yeah man way to much is on the drugs,,,just listen to the music thats what it's there for

[@jimmyschmidt5077]

Damn right

[@WakeyUpU]

He’s a legend and never got the credit he deserves. Fucking LOVE that guy!❤️ I listen to Jar of flies just about every day. River of Deceit is a masterpiece all by itself.

[@AndrewLemmings]

@@WakeyUpU I totally agree, I never fully got what he was about until I went through addiction myself. And now being in recovery for two years, every day his lyrics make so much more sense than the last. He really wrote about his experiences. When he was with Mad Season, he said he wasn’t on a rock n roll mission but rather a spiritual mission. Layne really was a true genius.

[@smkxodnwbwkdns8369]

@@AndrewLemmings you just said it yourself, reputations are never accurate but they are always earned, layne was a hard core junkie for the last ten years of his life and smoked a lot of crack the last five, you found something in his music you connect with as one addict to another

[@cestoiber117]

The audio in this is phenomenal. I'm listening to it on headphones and I feel like Layne is talking to me from 2 inches away. Every little rasp in his voice is there.

[@misstembo2000]

And every little crack of his leather jacket is here too.

[@SuperStrik9]

Layne was hands down the best singer of his generation and one of the best of all time.

[@rm25088]

I don't know, chris cornell was pretty good too. I love both. RIP.

[@karlanadia2012]

ahhh listening Layne talking is a bless to my ears. FOREVER LAYNE. you can not be replaced, ever. missing you

[@Myllkka]

+Karla Pippo Hey, my name is Karla too :) it's quite hard to find another Karlas, so, hey sis, haha

[@TheAndreluizcarneiro]

Milenatureza fuck you

[@tylerjohnson5606]

My aunt met Layne and Shawn in person waaaay before i was born. She told me she was outside sitting on the tail gate of her chevy and these two guys are coming outta the bar and giggle and Layne sees my aunt by herself smoking a cigarette and they sat with her for over half an hour. She said Layne was very shy and it took him over 5 mins to ask her for a lighter. She also said Shawn and her were in a deep conversation about beef jerky only because she was eating a bag with these two guys. They only left because Jerry called the guys back into the bar.

[@misstembo2000]

Respect for sharing this lovely story. Much appreciated ♡

[@JaxBeach2NewportBch]

If you've read the book, "Grunge is Dead", by Greg Prato, you probably noticed how everyone was saying how humble, kind and was so NOT the arrogant lead singer type. I think thats another reason in a thousand, why I have always loved Layne Staley: The definition of cool and talented, but polite and respectful. It's still a shame that he had a ravaging disease.

[@Ernesto_Da_Faneda]

Layne was an unusual kind of guy in the music business, and that is probably why he didn't fit in. You rarely ever saw the front man of a big and influential rock band being as honest, humble and caring as Layne was. People (thanks to the press assholes he's talking about in this interview) only knew stuff about his addictions and his sex life and they judged him based on that.

[@cindinoell]

What a well-spoken, intelligent man. He is so beautiful.

[@2pacinseattle]

It's crazy how Kurt and Layne had the softest voices but the loudest screams.

[@spiderwebsoranges3390]

Alysin Chainz you're delusional and biased

[@ozthewizard1]

Alysin Chainz Kurt can scream, you hear spank thru? Nobody knows I'm new wave? Guess not...

[@BenjaminDover-ju4ki]

@@spiderwebsoranges3390 lies! Your two dads won't let you out past dark!

[@GojiFan-nf7jn]

I like kurt's voice AND layne's. I don't think we have to argue on who's better, they both rock!

[@AndrewLemmings]

GojiFan1999 2 pure geniuses

[@immigratoclandestino6259]

GojiFan1999 yeah Layne puts Kurt to shame

[@ozthewizard1]

GojiFan1999 exactly they are both great, I still like to believe that they never died and they are on some secret cruise or something

[@TheMartialCardist]

Didn't Kurt say he was nowhere near the singer as Layne?

[@jimmyschmidt5077]

Id have to go with Layne on that one

[@livedreamincolor]

His range was so incredible. So gentle and wistful on moment, and then a scream with the most primal anger and bitterness at life and this world's conditions the next nanosecond. His range went waaaay beyond simply techincally high and low notes musically.... Why compare him to Kurt or anyone else? One person's talent and style doesn't take a thing from someone else's. I say more riches for the world, heaven knows we got them here for such a tragic short moment in time.

[@satanictaffy]

He was so beautiful....inside and out. It's damn near impossible to please me when it comes to music...and Layne in my opinion, is the absolute greatest vocalist of all time.

[@TheMsteena06]

11 years and never forgotten... love you Layne R.I.P.

[@4mjok]

Layne was a very true Genius , many lyrics & melodies are bone chilling thanks for posting this - still listen to AIC every day

[@goRPaul]

His talking is just as captivating as his singing

[@heatherrose7568]

I could listen to this over and over love hearing Layne talk so soothing love him

[@kimberlymegl5759]

People are always going to try and put the best down. AIC FUCK U CANTRELL I SEE HOW U JUDGE AND REPLACE A GRUNGE GOD HE BEFRIENDED A PARASITE

[@JaxBeach2NewportBch]

exactly. Plus, remember, nowadays we are living in a time where the "inspiring rock and roll star" has faded away. Most punks today listen to Ludacris and Rick Ross and fall into the most egocentric vibes ever. Laynes lyrics have meant so much to me.

[@momangus7791]

When I have kids i’m going to enlighten them with Layne Staley. hope you’re resting in peace. wish I could’ve seen you live. lost you too soon 🖤

[@heycarmine]

He seems like someone I would hang out with and be friends. I have missed his music over the years and didn't know it. Now that I am older .. I don't take things for granted as much. I truly miss Lane and often wonder what he would have done if he hadn't left us. Rest in Peace my Friend!

[@Jeff2870]

Great stuff. This guy is (was) far more intelligent than he gets credit for. Unlike most interviews you hear "rockstars" doing, Layne sounds totally honest, thoughtful, and there's no big inflated ego dominating his answers. He is missed.

[@BenillaIC]

It's just heartbreaking to hear his weak and shivering voice. At that point he was completely taken over by heroin. Respect and RIP. What a fantastic singer.

[@alexeiivanovic]

wake up kids. this is a Layne interview!!!!!!

[@TheRockchick1981]

Ok who the fuck said Nirvana and Alice in Chains was emo? Ok emo wasn't even around then during the whole 90s grunge thing. The emo shit didn't come in until a few years back. Listening to Layne's voice makes me so badly go back to this time and tell him don't shoot up. May Layne RIP.

[@111FAS]

cestober117 is so right, the audio is PERFECT. Thank you! The last question, his reason for not doing interviews... I think most yellow journalists (who are NOT REAL journalists at all) still pull the same BS - they're more interested in starting gossip or continue to keep the gossip going and could care less about the music. I loathe interviews printed like that. No wonder he stopped, I would of done the same thing.

[@Freedmevr45]

I don't think you could compare nirvana to AIC, it's like the apples and oranges saying, do you like apples? Or oranges? Well I happen to enjoy both equally... Nivana and AIC are two totally different sounds.

[@ButterIsntGood]

Rest In Peace Layne. You're my hero, man.

[@1989Feelgood]

Yu can feel the pain and bitter/sweet feelings in his voice R.I.P. Layne Staley yu are forever missed by so many!! Hopfully yu and Dimebag are writtin some bad ass songs!!

[@brooklynfonse1839]

What do you mean Layne was like Dana Plato?? milli vanilli??? Just what the Fuck??? Layne was and always will be a legend for those of us who know about good music, and real artist!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rsohlich1]

@JaxBeach2NewportBch I just read that book and it was so intense and heartbreaking how his disease just consumed him. Almost literally....he seemed like a nice, genuine person. He will be missed forever. Hope anyone out there who is thinking about trying heroin or any opiates know the pain that will come. Please don't follow. RIP Layne

[@HyperionBirb]

OMG HOW I MISS HIS VOICE.......MISS YOU BABE...........ALICE STALEY.

[@bro-bh5kj]

Thank god I heard this interview a loong while back in Rockline and I found it so I can listen again

[@pt88gt]

wow!!! how did i not find this sooner!! thank you so much for posting this!!

[@mikebibler4117]

R.I.P Layne, 90's music in my opinion is better than todays, dont get me wrong not all todays but more towards mainstream. For example look at how MTV was. My main reason for my opinion is because, this era of music is so rich with meaning and talent when you listen to it you can feel the emotion and to me thats what its all about. If you are a musician you can relate more, when you are jamming and you are all I. sync and are so in to it , its really unexplainable how amazing it is . Even now, alot of musicians have influences in some way of this era. Regardless of their problems, I would have killed to have met and just shoot the shit with anyone of these guys of Alice in Chains. And now even without Layne its not the same clearly he was irreplaceable with one of the most unique, and powerful voices , but give them Respect for making it through and doing what they love and Will for filling the shoes of high expectations. I enjoy their new albums, I just think sometimes what it would sound like with Layne. Give me shit about what ive said, whatever really I don't care. If you agree or have an open mind about things I believe you will understand. Reply if you agree or your opinions good or bad.

[@LDefton]

It's sad to think that even though you all supposedly love him, none of you would ever help someone like him or be his friend, people like him are outcasts and society only loves them when theyre gone.

[@addisonlewis723]

True.

[@mikebibler4117]

I would, people are too judgemental.

[@aliceinmadseason2319]

LDefton your are so right. Im one of those people like him. Nobody wants anything to do with me

[@creepydoll7566]

lifelessdead89 I would.

[@lauramalizia9636]

Okay.. I'll give it a go.. me and this handsome young man in the picture to your left, (and my older son, not pictured) were severed into 3 pieces by ocy to judge I cannot parent an 11 year old with nonverbal autism or my 13 year old who is high functioning autistic. Finally, after being misdiagnosed bipolar myself for years, accused of abusing drugs (it turns out the babysitters were heroin addicts, one passed in April 2016) they gave me a genetic test and guess what.. I was not so surprised, but relieved to find out I too have struggled so long because I have high functioning autism and that I passed it to both boys. They have 2 different fathers so yes it was from me and any child I would have had with any man would have been on the autism spectrum. Autism mixed with poverty and splitting up autistic families are the two new prejudices in this world that turn beautiful, talented artists and singers and writers like myself out to look like such crappy parents and outcasts and act like we're spoiled brats who shouldn't live off of social security. Especially the ADHD in my youngest son and I, to sit is torcher so it makes it hard if not nearly impossible to hold an 8 hour job. C&y ridicules you telling you you're selfish to release that ADHD at the gym so you can enjoy and work with your own children. They get your kids' social security while you cope with barely getting by,never picking up a pencil to draw or a microphone to sing but maybe on the rare occasion you see your kid's. They make you an outcast, tell people lies about you that you're a bad parent. It's a slap in the face to a 41 year old mom so torchered that has an associate's degree in early childhood. Graduated with a 3.7 average who is not stupid to be made look stupid so stupid jealous people make money and look smart. Soo I challenge you who say you would help me to do so. I need it.

[@funwithFred]

Thank..you..so..much..for.posting..this..and that..it..is..just..Layne...You..have..made me..very..happy.

[@larson1367]

Lane was the man>>> I am sure that means nothing to him. The real problem is all the kids that followed the grunge rock wave... the addiction did not make him creative!... just shortened his life. Miss that guy.... but another Jimmy, Janice, Bonam, etc.... (hopefully) long live rock and roll...

[@albertofernandez9804]

I have several doubts about this: The old school rockers are still living or dying because they're too old nowadays... But Chris, Layne, Scott and Chriss all of the are already died... Isn't ironic?

[@tink040370]

this was awesome. Thanks so much for posting. RIP Layne.

[@armatageshanks06]

Layne...All I have to say is thank you for the timeless memories R.I.P. My Brother

[@Bubblebeanz]

Layne...there is no one like you. You were the best and you are sorely missed. I still love you!

[@strongerthanallgtr]

thank you so much for uploading this i am so glad i got to listen :) the man himself...

[@djb5255]

This is a great interview. Thanks so much for posting!!

[@alice2663]

Poor Layne, always being bugged by haters about shit just ain't there.

[@sorrowstories7687]

Awesome Interview. R.I.P Layne. Will always be one of my favourites.

[@CARNLOU]

Funny you say that because Layne's accent always had that sad sounding, distinctive voice. I think it had something to do with his addiction.

[@ICULooking]

This is gold. Thanks.

[@chefrah54]

Thanks for the post, RIP LAYNE

[@lilgreenthumb1]

to me layne seemed a very giving person who had a good soul,he shouldave took care of himself.

[@gotalittlecaptain]

Hearing his voice makes me cry :( He wasn't supposed to leave us like that...

[@applesu8574]

Rip sweet layne....we never forget you 💕⋯⋯🎸🎸🎸⋯⋯

[@jarretgrathwol4790]

Sweet man Layne was. And a once in a 20 year voice.

[@randymcginnis9228]

he was a nice guy

[@TheAndreluizcarneiro]

Randy Mcginnis He was, wasn't he? Yeah, he was, indeed, he was!

[@jas22]

thanks for these - it might give fans a sense of completion, or closure. that is not to marginalize the latest CD, or any of Jerry's solo stuff. to me, i feel like its a way to finally 'close the book' so to speak.

[@Hixlol]

Apparently Layne trusted everyone in the band, but a few years later he refused to talk to them and said they were not his friends...i dont know if thats true, thats just what i heard from various stories online. God i wished he would of pulled through. Such an amazing man! RIP BUDDY

[@rightcoast7049]

Dan P They probably tried to manipulate him into getting sober, with good intentions of course. But when you are an addict and don't want to stop, no one can help you, and when people try to back you up against the wall to get sober, you cut them off.

[@MrTechselect]

Layne definitely isolated himself from the rest of the band but this "and said they were not his friends" is not correct. The supposed last interview with Adriana Rubio is not real. The author fabricated everything. This has been confirmed by both Layne's mom and sister. The interview never happened.

[@Kiaraxad]

God, he sounds so sad here. What a voice. What a soul. Wish he was still with us.

[@tammiealmany6239]

Layne Staley forever ♾️❤️🙌

[@alice2663]

Oh how I miss him.

[@shiran865]

you're right,and both of them are the best

[@aliceinmadseason2319]

Another death anniversary, another person i love dies from dope. How i stay alive living this way is crazy

[@2ndchannel-d2d]

What

[@jmelkis]

@LisaMarie232 Amen! I just got done reading "Layne Staley: Get Born Again" and it was awesome to see all of his works from childhood and adolescence. Clearly, he was a multitalented artist.

[@adrb777]

thanks for the upload man!

[@NoBadBlood]

this just made my day! =) thanks!

[@Lunacr]

Absolutely agree... I still love and miss him!!! Forever in my heart!!

[@binks2413]

Good job, thanks for the upload

[@borninswamplands]

I think it's hilarious how he pointed out that he was usually the last to know about his "health scares" which to me clearly indicates that even then the media was mostly full of shit. You gotta love entertainers who have the guts to poke fun at the media bullshit.

[@steven082290]

Yeah. Kurt did talked like this too. It's very sad. All the greatest and coolest rockstars are usually the most depressed. Check out BWNN's Rooster cover. It sounds just like Layne Staley. It's singer from Dry Cell.

[@JonSpam07]

i meant his tone of voice when he spoke. he always sounded like this even in his early days. i didnt mean the content of his lyrics.

[@iseeu1980]

Great interview. Thanks

[@mistifais]

Dude, your absolutely fuckin' right The Moore Theatre in 1990 was the peak for Alice In Chains IMHO too! Layne's voice was at its prime and the way the band performs the songs is absolutely flawless...listening to Love Hate Love and Sea Of Sorrow is perfect!

[@DarkSkies72]

His sorry ass excuse for a father had a lot to do with his addiction & Layne was bitter about it. Can't blame him and his girlfriend too. This poor guy man... I don't think he even realized how great he was or how loved he will forever be. RIP Legend, you'll be remembered always 💔

[@wandaburgess9400]

Insomniac... Yes that's so *TRUE*

[@ellenkosmo9177]

angry angel

[@19xIdiotDonkey]

damn straight! well said! theyd definetly rather us be listening and enjoying rather than senseless bickering.

[@friendofsyd]

I absolutely dig mad season way more than any other album this guys been on . my second fav album of the 90s behind blind melon soup

[@shanfrann]

Su voz es muy tierna, no lo se escucharlo tranquiliza R.I.P Layne💜

[@jacab123]

R.I.P. Layne Staley he was one of the greastest musicans till this day

[@krankykate]

ya its so much better singing thru computers and paying song writers as opposed to doing it all on their own and they are legends

[@shashwati]

I love the fact that Layne was such an awesome person that even when drunk he was a sort of saint....and through his saintliness he met Jerry!

[@jsjeon1103]

The voice of a LEGEND

[@brandontylerkaiser]

See, when layne says don't contact the guys from aid they aren't my friends, he was a liar, if he even said that, they all loved each other. That's the alice i know.

[@cindinoell]

It is beautiful, even when he's only talking.

[@tjhill4life]

thanks op, you rock. subbed

[@MyJarOfFlies]

Aic > Nirvana.

[@Wrestlefan1]

it amazing me how drugged out he was and yet how intelligent and how amazing his voice stayed

[@shiran865]

i love his voice,and i love him sooooooooo much!!!

[@curciowest]

Great upload!

[@drughead6969]

god i love this man and this band- rip layne dude lived threw more shit then we will ever know YET I FIGHT THIS BATTLE ALL ALONE

[@jmelkis]

@hollywoodsaint57 I think you are a bit confused. They weren't just jamming per se. By the time they did the studio album, it was polished. Now, there is a recording on this same channel that is closer to jamming, but that shows their talent that the song became "River of Deceit," but I think that they were known as the Gacy Bunch then. In any case, they didn't jam live in their later shows, they played the songs they wrote together.

[@saystherover]

Layne's cute even with just audio(: RIP

[@browniepixxie192933]

Kurt Cobain couldn't b Layne Stanley, two different artist different voices taken too soon. By drugs n sadness. Makes me sad to think ppl make comparisons between them they passed away.. Have some respect for them n the music.

[@DarkSkies72]

Ivelisse Gonzalez.... It's Staley and he blew Kurt away vocally!

[@karenoswald1265]

Me too!!! What a shame... He was gone way to soon!!!

[@JonSpam07]

he always sounded like this. he's not 'sad'.

[@HyperionBirb]

CAN'T WE ALL GET ALONG ! A.STALEY IN SEA,WA.....YUP.....

[@arthurdiniz7469]

Wow, that's so cool.

[@JAY3AA]

GREAT THANKS!!!!

[@groovey65]

@metalsushidog Do you think they are going to check the comments of this video everyday to see if someone has mentioned them?

[@jmelkis]

@nodnarbdoowron It's a shame that Layne gets put down the way he does. It's almost conspiratorial. In any case, he was really honest in his lyrics, his music, his poetry, his art....I feel like I know him myself. If you read the book "Layne Staley: Get Born Again," it'll be really obvious how much he was himself through his art. Even this book gets trashed....seems conspiratorial....wrote a review of it. write me if you want the link.

[@brogandaugherty-kelly1062]

Love you Layne!!

[@MightyMako]

What a sweet voice.

[@SarahForgot]

@jmelkis Where did you get Get Born Again? The only places I've been finding it, it's like 300 dollars!

[@benjamini792]

La voz de un angel.....te amamos Layne!!!!!

[@SarahForgot]

to the person who uploaded this: i think you did a good job. there's nothing else you could have done to improve it. :)