We lost far too many incredible musicians during grunge’s heyday in the 1990s. Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain is probably the most famous example. However, a number of other well-loved musicians, singers, and songwriters from that era died far too young. Layne Staley of Alice In Chains was one such musician, and the vocalist of Alice In Chains is still sorely missed today.
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Everybody has their favorite vocalist from that era, especially if you were a 90s kid or Gen X fan of the grunge movement. But Staley’s voice stands out. And the isolated vocal tracks of him delivering nearly impossible vocal lines prove that he was different from other singers.
Like many icons from his era, Staley is (unfortunately) well-known for his struggles with substance abuse. It’s a shame, considering his talent is far greater as part of his legacy than his personal demons.
He was a force to be reckoned with, both in the studio and on the stage. He was also known for his “chaotic good” presence in the alt-rock world. Staley famously punched a skinhead at one of his shows in 1993. He often filled in for his fellow grunge artists when they were unavailable for their sets. He was a man with a good heart, and his brilliance as a vocalist should be remembered.
The Legacy of Grunge Vocalist Layne Staley and Alice In Chains
It’s also pretty surprising that much of the music Layne Staley sang wasn’t actually written by him. Jerry Cantrell was the main songwriting mastermind behind much of Alice In Chains’ music, though Staley did contribute a few hits. If anything, the fact that most of the band’s music was written by someone else lends even more credibility to Staley’s talent as a singer. He belted out most of Alice In Chains’ songs like he was screaming from his heart.
Staley also had quite a commanding presence in Alice In Chains. The presence of his voice alone on Dirt and Facelift attracted new fans to the band without even knowing what they looked like. But on stage and in the band’s music videos, Staley’s presence was quite remarkable. The fact that he was struggling with substance abuse throughout his MTV Unplugged set is surprising, given that he didn’t seem to lose any luster in terms of his singing ability.
Staley would pass away in 2002 at the age of 34 following years of mental health struggles and substance abuse. His death was a heartwrenching tragedy for fans of the band, and it’s honestly such a blessing that his music has been immortalized through the internet. Layne Stalye might be no more, but his voice will never die.
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