‘Black Gives Way to Blue‘
Easily the most touching and hauntingly beautiful song inspired by Layne’s life was written by bandmate and longtime friend Jerry Cantrell. … This one was the first retrospective song he had written about Staley, and is perhaps the most powerful he’s written in his career.
Who wrote Black Gives Way to Blue?
“Black Gives Way to Blue” was written by Alice in Chains’ guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell, and it was one of the first songs he wrote for the band’s album of the same name – their first album since 1995’s self-titled record.
What was the last song Layne Staley recorded?
“Died” is a song by Alice in Chains and the final one recorded with vocalist Layne Staley before his death in 2002. The song was included on the compilation albums Music Bank (1999) and The Essential Alice in Chains (2006).
Did Elton John play on Black Gives Way to Blue?
It’s an unlikely pairing, but it’s legit: Elton John sings on “Black Gives Way to Blue,” the title track on Alice in Chains’ September 29th album. … “Walking into a studio and seeing the sheet music for that song on Elton’s piano made it meaningful on so many different levels,” Cantrell says in a statement.
What happened to Alice and Chains?
Although never officially disbanding, Alice in Chains was plagued by extended inactivity from 1996 onward, due to Staley’s substance abuse, which resulted in his death in 2002. … Alice in Chains have sold over 30 million records worldwide, and over 14 million records in the US alone.
When did Alice and chains start?
He met Mr. Cantrell at a party, and formed Alice in Chains with him in 1987. The group quickly turned from playing glam-metal to an early variety of grunge, and in 1989, it was signed to Columbia Records, which released the EP ”We Die Young” and the band’s first album, ”Facelift,” in 1990.
When did Layne Staley lost his teeth?
It was gross.” Jim Elmer doesn’t know exactly when Layne’s tooth loss started, but thinks it was around 1995 or 1996 and said it was a gradual process.
How did Layne Staley record vocals?
It was on Alice in Chains’s sophomore album Dirt that Staley would develop what became his signature sound: heavily layering his vocals in the studio by recording two or three vocal tracks in multiple intervals. The technique, called stacked vocals, “was totally Layne,” Alice in Chains producer Dave Jerden says.
How much did Layne Staley weigh when he died?
And those were the good times. Staley was found dead, toothless and weighing only 86 pounds, in his Seattle apartment in 2002.
Where was Layne Staley funeral?
It was estimated that he passed away approximately two weeks earlier on April 5, 2002. The funeral of Layne Staley was held eight days after his body was found on April 28, 2002 at the Kiana Lodge in Poulsbo, Washington.
Who came first Alice in Chains or Nirvana?
Having sold just 40,000 copies in its first few months, it shifted more than 400,000 copies in six weeks on the back of Man In The Box. Before Nirvana, Pearl Jam or Soundgarden, Alice In Chains had become the first of Seattle’s grunge bands to crack the mainstream.
What year did Mike Inez join AIC?
Inez joined in 1993, replacing original bassist Mike Starr (who sadly died in 2011); he participated in recording the acoustic EP Jar of Flies, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 in 1994, becoming the first AIC release to top the charts.
Why did Layne wear gloves?
He was stalked by addiction, and it just creeps up on you again and again.” In a Rolling Stone article of early ’96, it was noted that Layne had taken to wearing fingerless gloves to hide the track marks in his hands, a last resort when the veins in the arms are tapped out.
Where did Layne Staley learn singing?
He sang in a glam rock band called Sleze.
When Staley did find a passion for singing in his teenage years, he started belting out tunes for an adolescent glam rock band called Sleze. The group also played on stage in full on drag, and later changed it’s name to Alice N’ Chains.
Is Layne Staley best singer ever?
Endlessly imitated but never matched, Alice in Chains frontman Layne Staley was without question one of modern rock’s greatest singers — brutally honest and recklessly adventurous, with a bluesy edge to his voice and a stunning ability to translate raw emotion into beautifully crafted sing-along hooks.
Was Layne Staley a good vocalist?
Layne Staley August 22, 1967 – April 5, 2002
In Layne’s case, it’s one of the best voices in musical history. In the grunge era, his voice is already on the Mt. Rushmore of vocalists, but his raw emotion, subtle nuances, and vocal range make him arguably one of the best ever.
Did Layne Staley learn to sing?
Layne Staley always had an incredible rock voice, but it was an untapped reserve until he learnt to sing. I believe he took vocal lessons from Maestro David P. Kyle, who also taught Geoff Tate and Ann Wilson.
Why is Layne Staley 86?
Throughout his career, Layne Staley of Alice in Chains struggled with drug addiction. … Surrounded, in squalor, by drugs and drug paraphernalia, was Staley. His 6′ 1″ frame had been reduced to 86 pounds, and in his hand was a syringe loaded with another dose of heroin.
Is there a memorial for Layne Staley?
THS, which provides treatment, education, and hope for addiction recovery, is proud to manage the Layne Staley Memorial Fund, treating heroin addicts and their families in the Seattle music community.
Who was at Chris Cornell’s funeral?
Chris Cornell’s Los Angeles Funeral Attended by Bandmates, Metallica, Brad Pitt, Dave Grohl.
How was Layne Staley?
Former Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley was found dead in his Seattle home Friday; he was thirty-four. … Staley had apparently been deceased for several days before police discovered him on his couch, decomposed beyond immediate recognition. A Saturday autopsy confirmed his identity.