Layne was born August 22, 1967 and passed away on April 5, 2002 at the age of 34. "I changed my number. Love, Hate, Love & Confusion. His body was discovered on April 20, seemingly two weeks after his death. While a decade and a half has gone by since the Alice in Chains singer's passing, his iconic voice will live forever. Its so well put together from a vocal perspective. Sound Vapors is an online music, and entertainment site designed to bring readers closer to bands/artists and the music they create. Selected Tracks: No One Knows, The Lost Art of Keeping A Secret, Keep Your Eyes Peeled 34. Nancy was even working in a treatment center the day Staley died and it was her intervention that led the police to find the singer's body. When I listen now, I hear more pain than ever in his voice and Im probably not the only one that it makes feel a sadness. The stones in their plaaaaaeeeaaaeeeace < this last word is dragged out for 4 seconds, and not in some off key high pitched or screamed vocal. Perhaps the most tragic part of this was that the bassist, worried by Staley's appearance, tried to call 911 for his friend but the singer declined. Song and video. I ripped off the cellophane and had it open as I was getting in. The songs vocal gets completely overlooked (and I get it, there are so many great ones). Jerry if a true friend should have more than wanted that also. lyrics are disturbing to most, but this has got to be the most emotion/passion put into a performance, EVER. You can get lost in his voice and u can cry when u hear the lyrics. Yet, for the last year of his life, almost no one visited Staley in this apartment, and he rarely left. Sung vocal range: F2-B5 This is third of three songs I referenced earlier. Hommes ability to churn out incredible rock n roll hits to go along with his impressive tenor range vocally make him one of the best frontmen in rock music. Junkhead This is one of three songs I would use as an example of the incredible harmony skills Layne possessed. Thanx to Ricki from theLaynestaley.co.uk Fan Site for bring this post to my attention. It was a warning.". "I know I'm dying," he said in a portion of the interview reprinted byMTV. when he sings why you act crazy, not an act maybe no other singer I have heard can do what he can do. Check it out, heres the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9GAEFTeWko. I never wanted to end my life this way. Such is the tragedy of one of the most charismatic figures to colour the rock scene of the 1990s. . Haley the track is either got me wrong or caz u said circus music and it dint go mainstream ..queen of the rodeo, sorry its definitely I stay away from jar of flies EP, Finally some whos agree that demos version of Junnkhead is better then originals, One of those unique voices, gift to our ears and soul, Wow where to beginas a hard core fan and he is my all time favorite vocalistthe whole entire Mad Season album! For more on Alice In Chains You can check out our interview with Mike Inez. Layne Staley Vocal Range Study was originally posted at therangeplace.forummotion.com but now you must join to read it so Ive posted it here so everyone can read it. I'd much rather have him alive and not talking to me than to have lost such a great human being [] a great friend. I was mesmerized. [] He still managed to smile. Based on this show you could make the arguement that some of AIC songs were detrimentally overproduced I cant even listen to the standard versions of these tracks anymore. The band's unique sound staccato rhythms, throbbing groove riffs, and alternating guttural and harmonized clean vocals made the album pretty perfect for a Layne Staley guest spot, and according to Alice in Chains: The Untold Story, Staley was enthusiastic about recording the vocals, though he asked that producer Toby Wright come alone because he "wasn't looking or feeling great, and he didn't want to be seen.". >>>God Am: Invite you in my heart, then They broke the mold after him!! B5 (Movie appearance) ._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa{margin-top:8px}._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa ._3EpRuHW1VpLFcj-lugsvP_{color:inherit}._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa svg._31U86fGhtxsxdGmOUf3KOM{color:inherit;fill:inherit;padding-right:8px}._3Z6MIaeww5ZxzFqWHAEUxa ._2mk9m3mkUAeEGtGQLNCVsJ{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:400;line-height:18px;color:inherit} This would be the singer's home for the next five years leading up to his death. He died from an O.D and was found on the couch 2 weeks later, The man was just so talented. On October 29, 1996, she passed away due to inflammation of the heart caused by a previous overdose, according toFind A Grave. ", Perhaps the most painful thing about this is that Layne's sense of hopelessness drove him to isolate even further and push away even those who loved him. All I can think if is yayheeee its driving me crazy, also I dont think it went super mainstream.. idk, It got to be Junkhead, the live version. ._1EPynDYoibfs7nDggdH7Gq{margin-bottom:8px;position:relative}._1EPynDYoibfs7nDggdH7Gq._3-0c12FCnHoLz34dQVveax{max-height:63px;overflow:hidden}._1zPvgKHteTOub9dKkvrOl4{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:21px;font-weight:400;word-wrap:break-word}._1dp4_svQVkkuV143AIEKsf{-ms-flex-align:baseline;align-items:baseline;background-color:var(--newCommunityTheme-body);bottom:-2px;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-flow:row nowrap;flex-flow:row nowrap;padding-left:2px;position:absolute;right:-8px}._5VBcBVybCfosCzMJlXzC3{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:400;line-height:21px;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-bodyText)}._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI{position:relative;background-color:0;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText);fill:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText);border:0;padding:0 8px}._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI:before{content:"";position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border-radius:9999px;background:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaText);opacity:0}._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI:hover:before{opacity:.08}._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI:focus{outline:none}._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI:focus:before{opacity:.16}._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI._2Z_0gYdq8Wr3FulRLZXC3e:before,._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI:active:before{opacity:.24}._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI:disabled,._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI[data-disabled],._3YNtuKT-Is6XUBvdluRTyI[disabled]{cursor:not-allowed;filter:grayscale(1);background:none;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaTextAlpha50);fill:var(--newCommunityTheme-metaTextAlpha50)}._2ZTVnRPqdyKo1dA7Q7i4EL{transition:all .1s linear 0s}.k51Bu_pyEfHQF6AAhaKfS{transition:none}._2qi_L6gKnhyJ0ZxPmwbDFK{transition:all .1s linear 0s;display:block;background-color:var(--newCommunityTheme-field);border-radius:4px;padding:8px;margin-bottom:12px;margin-top:8px;border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-canvas);cursor:pointer}._2qi_L6gKnhyJ0ZxPmwbDFK:focus{outline:none}._2qi_L6gKnhyJ0ZxPmwbDFK:hover{border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-button)}._2qi_L6gKnhyJ0ZxPmwbDFK._3GG6tRGPPJiejLqt2AZfh4{transition:none;border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-button)}.IzSmZckfdQu5YP9qCsdWO{cursor:pointer;transition:all .1s linear 0s}.IzSmZckfdQu5YP9qCsdWO ._1EPynDYoibfs7nDggdH7Gq{border:1px solid transparent;border-radius:4px;transition:all .1s linear 0s}.IzSmZckfdQu5YP9qCsdWO:hover ._1EPynDYoibfs7nDggdH7Gq{border:1px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-button);padding:4px}._1YvJWALkJ8iKZxUU53TeNO{font-size:12px;font-weight:700;line-height:16px;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-button)}._3adDzm8E3q64yWtEcs5XU7{display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex}._3adDzm8E3q64yWtEcs5XU7 ._3jyKpErOrdUDMh0RFq5V6f{-ms-flex:100%;flex:100%}._3adDzm8E3q64yWtEcs5XU7 .dqhlvajEe-qyxij0jNsi0{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-button)}._3adDzm8E3q64yWtEcs5XU7 ._12nHw-MGuz_r1dQx5YPM2v,._3adDzm8E3q64yWtEcs5XU7 .dqhlvajEe-qyxij0jNsi0{font-size:12px;font-weight:700;line-height:16px;cursor:pointer;-ms-flex-item-align:end;align-self:flex-end;-webkit-user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select:none}._3adDzm8E3q64yWtEcs5XU7 ._12nHw-MGuz_r1dQx5YPM2v{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-button);margin-right:8px;color:var(--newCommunityTheme-errorText)}._3zTJ9t4vNwm1NrIaZ35NS6{font-family:Noto Sans,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:21px;font-weight:400;word-wrap:break-word;width:100%;padding:0;border:none;background-color:transparent;resize:none;outline:none;cursor:pointer;color:var(--newRedditTheme-bodyText)}._2JIiUcAdp9rIhjEbIjcuQ-{resize:none;cursor:auto}._2I2LpaEhGCzQ9inJMwliNO,._42Nh7O6pFcqnA6OZd3bOK{display:inline-block;margin-left:4px;vertical-align:middle}._42Nh7O6pFcqnA6OZd3bOK{fill:var(--newCommunityTheme-button);color:var(--newCommunityTheme-button);height:16px;width:16px;margin-bottom:2px} also Down In a Hole, Man In the Box, Rooster, Nutshell, Sludge Factory and sooo much more, the real original band that he co-formed not the imitation with Duvall, as Jerry should have renamed the band especially not wanting to give Laynes mom her portion of earnings saying that when Layne passed so did his earnings??? The scene they found there was a harrowing one: brown heroin stains leading from the bathroom to the living room, stashes of cocaine and crack pipes around the house, the TV on and flickering. The two were watching the show Crossing Over, on which a medium claimed to speak to audience members' dead relatives, when Staley said, "Demri was here last night. ._2Gt13AX94UlLxkluAMsZqP{background-position:50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:contain;position:relative;display:inline-block} Layne Rutherford Staley (22 August 1967 - 5 April 2002) Vocal Range: E2 - A5. According to an interview with Staley's stepfather Jim Elmer inDavid De Sola's bookAlice in Chains: The Untold Story, Layne seemed to be in high spirits even toward the end of his life: "He was smiling, he was talkative, so there's a good sign that either he was doing better or he was trying to do better, that there's a more hopeful thing as compared to 'We're going to lose him in two days' or something like that. Speaking during a February 2010 episode of Loveline, Mike said, "I was with him all that day on my birthday trying to keep him alive. As all of us Layne fans feel the sametheres not a song that he sings that we dont absolutely LOVE his voice in. Aside from pure volume, I think Layne's voice was powerful for its raw emotion. 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Staley deeply saddened many people with his tragic death on April 5, 2002, while he was only at the age of 34. Talented, honest, funny, intelligent. And while he will be forever remembered for his long and storied musical career, the last year of Layne's life depicts him as a very different person, whose traumas and issues with addiction had fundamentally changed the musician so many people knew and loved. Staleys passion for music started with percussion when he was 12, and then continued with drums in his But somehow, out of Layne's story grew a bloom of hope for artists in the same position. Staley's incredible vocal is the most impressive element about the classic, flexing his incredible range while playing pied piper down the path of broken dreams and depression. ._3-SW6hQX6gXK9G4FM74obr{display:inline-block;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:16px;height:16px;font-size:16px;line-height:16px} ), Press J to jump to the feed. Cant hide sick ones youre weeding She was even planning to meet with one of the supervisors there to map out a new line of treatment for her son. His yeahayeeYEEEAAAAAAHHHWWWWLIFELESSSDEAAADDDD gives me chills every time. It almost makes me cry at times to know that we no longer have this wonderful, beautiful talented Layne here with us. Visit Renadas Photobucket for more Layne pics.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9GAEFTeWko. :) His voice gives me the shivvers and aint nobody can sing like Layne Staley, or ever will. In the grunge era, his voice is already on the Mt. WebHe also became known for his flamboyant stage persona and four-octave vocal range. Love Hate Love is probably my favorite example if his vocal strength. In many ways, Nancy is still haunted by her son's addiction addicts and fans send her letters all the time but she also sees Layne's lyrics on the subject as helpful and prophetic. Heres twelve of my favorite vocal performances Layne Staley put on a studio recording starting from earliest to latest: . His voice so pure, so haunting then, now & forever . When done, my sins forgiven? R.I.P. According to The Seattle Times, shortly after Staley's death, his mother Nancy began receiving donations and letters from fans all around the world struggling with addiction. I even asked him if I could call 911, you know, and he said that if I did, he'd never talk to me again. Down in a hole and theyve put all Layne Staley, who rose to prominence with Alice in Chains, one of the forerunners of the Seattle grunge scene throughout the late 1980s and into the first half of the 90s, had a voice like none other and is often overlooked as merely a D5 (Over the Edge demo, I Cant Have You Blues) Those were the messages in his songs, endearing him to his fans. The vibrato in the verses are magic. I think I Stay Away is incredible throughout, and esp. He simply was beautiful inside & out. She will know it sooner or later. Published. Rushmore of vocalists, but his raw emotion, subtle nuances, and vocal range make him arguably one of the best ever. He lived in a condo right smack in front of everyone, in the University District. @keyframes _1tIZttmhLdrIGrB-6VvZcT{0%{opacity:0}to{opacity:1}}._3uK2I0hi3JFTKnMUFHD2Pd,.HQ2VJViRjokXpRbJzPvvc{--infoTextTooltip-overflow-left:0px;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;line-height:16px;padding:3px 9px;position:absolute;border-radius:4px;margin-top:-6px;background:#000;color:#fff;animation:_1tIZttmhLdrIGrB-6VvZcT .5s step-end;z-index:100;white-space:pre-wrap}._3uK2I0hi3JFTKnMUFHD2Pd:after,.HQ2VJViRjokXpRbJzPvvc:after{content:"";position:absolute;top:100%;left:calc(50% - 4px - var(--infoTextTooltip-overflow-left));width:0;height:0;border-top:3px solid #000;border-left:4px solid transparent;border-right:4px solid transparent}._3uK2I0hi3JFTKnMUFHD2Pd{margin-top:6px}._3uK2I0hi3JFTKnMUFHD2Pd:after{border-bottom:3px solid #000;border-top:none;bottom:100%;top:auto} In aRolling Stone profile of the band, while Alice in Chains are playingWhirlyBall,a combination of lacrosse, basketball, and bumper cars that only rock stars can ever dream of enjoying, "Staley [bows] out to play video games on his portable Sega system.". ._3bX7W3J0lU78fp7cayvNxx{max-width:208px;text-align:center} Then those chorus vocals. ._2a172ppKObqWfRHr8eWBKV{-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:8px}._39-woRduNuowN7G4JTW4I8{margin-top:12px}._136QdRzXkGKNtSQ-h1fUru{display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin:8px 0;width:100%}.r51dfG6q3N-4exmkjHQg_{font-size:10px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.5px;line-height:12px;text-transform:uppercase;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center}.r51dfG6q3N-4exmkjHQg_,._2BnLYNBALzjH6p_ollJ-RF{display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex}._2BnLYNBALzjH6p_ollJ-RF{margin-left:auto}._1-25VxiIsZFVU88qFh-T8p{padding:0}._2nxyf8XcTi2UZsUInEAcPs._2nxyf8XcTi2UZsUInEAcPs{color:var(--newCommunityTheme-widgetColors-sidebarWidgetTextColor)} While a decade and a half has gone by since the Alice in Chains singer's passing, his iconic voice will live forever. We think these five songs are where that distinctive connection As Layne Staley's health deteriorated, he became less interested in being social or recording with his band. His range is Incredible and I get chills when I listen to it. I believe he took vocal lessons from Maestro David P. Kyle, who also taught Geoff Tate and Ann Wilson. I personally love the whole Madseason album and pretty much every song on Dirt by AIC. Layne however in the early days constantly pushed hard on both spectrums of his range with massive volume. It only makes sense if you know a little about music and voice range but its still interesting to read. . And I like you site here. I just found it recently. It's all there in Sap, Jar Of Flies, and the MTV Unplugged. @keyframes ibDwUVR1CAykturOgqOS5{0%{transform:rotate(0deg)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq{--sizePx:0;font-size:4px;position:relative;text-indent:-9999em;border-radius:50%;border:4px solid var(--newCommunityTheme-bodyTextAlpha20);border-left-color:var(--newCommunityTheme-body);transform:translateZ(0);animation:ibDwUVR1CAykturOgqOS5 1.1s linear infinite}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq,._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq:after{width:var(--sizePx);height:var(--sizePx)}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq:after{border-radius:50%}._3LwT7hgGcSjmJ7ng7drAuq._2qr28EeyPvBWAsPKl-KuWN{margin:0 auto} . You can follow me on TwitterandInstagram let me know what some of your favorites are. I put Above in a just sat there listening. Many outsiders looking in at grunge claimed that the movement glamorized drug use, promoting the concept of art and addiction being intertwined via their lyrics and the growing concept of "heroin chic" that was popular in '90s fashion. Total vocal range: G1-A6, A6 (False Alarm live) He died on November 24, 1991 from bronchopneumonia as a result from HIV/AIDS I didn't know vocal range mattered in rock music. Contributors: MTR, Flyin Brian, Johnny Crunch & Blake The Snake, For more on Alice In Chains You can check out our interview with, Layne Staley: 1967-2002 Twelve Great Vocal Performances, Interview: Jack Hues From Wang Chung To His Debut Solo Album Primitif, Interview with Mike Inez of Alice in Chains | SoundVapors. Rooster is a bit different because the guitar riff is not itself acoustically.