I am such a huge fan of layne staley and his band alice in chains. A new book based on late alice in chains singer layne staley s last five years of reclusive life in downtown seattle is scheduled for release. I recently read this article by michael christopher regarding the 15th anniversary of layne staleys death and it got me thinking about something i reported in my book two years ago. It took layne staley, alice in chains lead singer, a while longer to kill himself with a speedball. This title is a revival of the acclaimed layne staley. Alice in chains is an american rock band formed in seattle, washington, in 1987 by guitaristvocalist jerry cantrell and drummer sean kinney, who then recruited bassist mike starr and lead vocalist layne staley. Layne staley alice in chains 1986 shorewood high school prom photo read photo dump from the story layne staley by wacksterjackster with 366 reads. She justifies the selfreferences by claiming that layne told her to write about herself. Late alice in chains singer layne staleys last interview. Setting the alice in chains record straight icepicks and nukes. Get born again is filled with exclusive interviews to his mother, nancy, his sister, liz and layne himself as he broke his fiveyear public silence just months before his death.
Layne staley was born in kirkland, washington in 1967. New alice in chains book reveals courtney loves suspicion. After layne passed away, i decided to turn the site into a memorial and added angel wings and animation to the site icon. Layne staley tribute includes never b4 seen photos youtube. Book overview alice in chains is an american rock band from seattle, washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist and vocalist jerry cantrell and drummer sean kinney, who later recruited bassist mike starr and lead vocalist layne staley.
Layne thomas staley was an american singersongwriter who served as the lead vocalist of the rock. Book features 50 pages of photos of staleys sketches, diary entries, childhood pictures. Alice n chains disbanded and staley joined a funk band. When i picked up a copy of angry chair i expected to read interesting facts about staley s life and. It is hard to compare them because they have such completely different voices and singing styles. In honor of alice in chains singer layne staley, heres 15 things you may not know about the late singer.
Angry chair is not a biography of the late alice in chains singer. His story is told by his mother, sister and layne himself. In 2001 and 2003, books about starr and staley were published. The bands principal members included guitarist mike mccready of pearl jam, lead singer layne staley of alice in chains, drummer barrett martin of screaming trees and bassist john baker saunders. Dec 09, 2011 exclusive new video in support of the layne staley fans petition for honors. The host asked, one moment that really struck me was, theres a. Although i never met layne, i like to think that he is watching over me. Rock singer layne staley was one of the most private, mysterious and misunderstood performers ever. My name is darin lamb but most people no me as drock. She justifies the selfreferences by claiming that layne told her to. Get born again is filled with exclusive interviews with his mother, nancy, his sister, liz, and layne himself, as he broke his fiveyear public silence just months before his death. Layne staley always had an incredible rock voice, but it was an untapped reserve until he learnt to sing. Angry chair also authored by adriana rubio, the biogrpphy of layne staley, frontman of the rock band, alice in chains. Staley grimly states, i dont wanna see people anymore and its nobodys business but mine.
The band morphed into alice n chains in 1986 and mostly played cover versions of slayer and armored saint songs. Dec 16, 2011 during the past decade, two of the founding members of alice in chains singer layne staley and bassist mike starr have died from drugrelated causes. Layne was born layne rutherford staley on august 22, 1967. Laynestaley rolling stone cover the needle and the damage done rolling stone 1996 theyve survived drug addiction and personal tragedy, but the hardest thing for alice in chains may be finding a way to live with themselves. Born in kirkland, wa, on august 22, 1967, staley showed musical talent at an early age, and took up the drums.
Former hole drummer patty schemel was recently interviewed on the do you know jack podcast to discuss her new book hit so hard. Apr 05, 2019 in the following excerpt from the 2009 book grunge is dead. We try to be real nice and friendly to people, but sometimes they take advantage of that. Layne staley, who has been found dead in his apartment aged 34, was one of the foremost proponents of the us grunge scene, which transformed american rock in the 1990s. Alice in chains is an american rock band from seattle, washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist and vocalist jerry cantrell and drummer sean kinney, who later recruited bassist mike starr and lead vocalist layne staley. Get born again 97809766590 by adriana rubio and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Few rock vocalists created such a dark and eerie body of work as alice in chains layne staley. Its essentially the lane staley story, which although vital, it is disappointing that more isnt dedicated to the band as a whole. The album has been certified gold by the riaa in the united states. The story of mike starr and his rise and fall in alice in chains. Although the foreword makes it clear that its impossible to tell the alice in chains story without addressing layne staleys drug issues, in reality this dominates the book. Music is the doorway that has led me to drawing, photography, and writing.
Angry chair a look inside the heart and soul of an incredible musician written by adriana rubio argentinean. Box 483 mukilteo, wa 98275 we are here for others nlm. Jul 22, 2017 the subject of laynes middle name at birth and its subsequent change to thomas was covered in my book. Their debut album facelift was a hit, and featured the nowclassic man in the box.
The book is badly written, and the author refers too frequently to herself and her own struggle with anorexia. The oral history of seattle rock music, alice in chains guitaristsinger jerry cantrell recounts a story of when staley stood up to some. These are just a few of the funniest and best video clips of layne staley that were complied together as a tribute to. Music late alice in chains singer layne staley s last interview revealed in new book book features 50 pages of photos of staley s sketches, diary entries, childhood pictures. Setting the alice in chains record straight icepicks and. Layne used to wear a tshirt that read layne on the front and the legend on the back. Layne staley, lead singer of alice in chains performing on mtv unplugged in 1996. Grunge legend tells bizarre story about layne staley. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. And when it comes to final photos of layne, the story is set up until 1998 with some photos available on the internet, but it is public knowledge and confirmed by his own mother that. In memory of layne staley, mike starr, demri parrott and all those weve lost. Brand new tribute to layne staley set to the music of alice in chains dont follow includes new, rare, and difficult to find photos of layne and alice i. It has been revised and updated with the inclusion of two new chapters.
At the time of laynes passing and many years before that i would have considered us best friends. Layne staley simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. These excerpts of laynes last interview come from the book layne staley. Discover video clips of recent music performances and more on mtv. Im sort of unsure how to rate this id been longing for an indepth book solely about alice in chains and, by extension, layne staley. Mad season was an american rock supergroup formed in 1994 as a side project of members of other bands in the seattle grunge scene. Get born again is a revival of the acclaimed angry chair book. Stepfather reveals how layne staley was in his last photo.
Angry chair a look inside the heart and soul of an incredible musician written by adriana rubio argentinean journalist and a fan of alice in chains, features 50 pages of photos of staleys art. Was layne staleys incredible rock voice due to vocal lessons. Layne thomas staley born layne rutherford staley, august 22, 1967 april 5, 2002 was an american musician best known as the original lead singer and cosongwriter of the rock band alice in chains, which rose to international fame in the early 1990s as part of seattles grunge movement, becoming known for staley s distinct vocal style and. The time alice in chains layne staley stood up to rowdy. Stepfather reveals how layne staley was in his last photo in 2002.
Layne staley created the album artwork on the cover. Rock singer layne staley was one of the most private, mysterious and mi. I find that a common trait in biographies when so many characters are involved. May 29, 2018 brand new tribute to layne staley set to the music of alice in chains dont follow includes new, rare, and difficult to find photos of layne and alice i dont own any of the material used for. During the past decade, two of the founding members of alice in chains singer layne staley and bassist mike starr have died from drugrelated causes. Taproot were recording a new album with alice in chains producer toby wright in 2002, and wanted layne staley to sing on a song, according to mark yarms book everybody loves our town. Oct 10, 2008 a new book based on late alice in chains singer layne staley s last five years of reclusive life in downtown seattle is scheduled for release on april 5, 2009. Dec 05, 2017 former hole drummer patty schemel was recently interviewed on the do you know jack podcast to discuss her new book hit so hard. The legendary lead singer of alice in chains and mad season, layne staley, passed away 16 years ago on 05042002. This would be his final interview before his overdose on april 5th, 2002. Mad season released only one album, above, in march 1995.
Angry chair a look inside the heart and soul of an incredible musician written by adriana rubio argentinean journalist and a fan of alice in chains, features 50 pages of photos of staleys art work, sketches, diary entries, and childhood pictures. Layne staley, lead singer of alice in chains performing on mtv. Layne staley of alice in chains was also a frequent heroin useraddict at the time of. The italics in the text are as they appear in her message. Talented and controversial by diana atkinson for free with a 30 day free trial. The books goal is to discover laynes innermost feelings and motivations. The book also includes pictures from layne s childhood, drawings, poetry and a lot more. Angry chair by rubio, adriana and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The book counts with pictures from layne s childhood, drawings, poetry and a lot more. There was a book recently written called alice in chains.
This book helped ease that longing, and there are many interesting things that i hadnt read before, but a lot of the information comes from things i have already read internet articles and books like grunge is dead. This author of this book, adrianna rubio, interviewed staley during the last few weeks of his life. Angry chair is a biography by adriana rubio about layne staley, the lead vocalist of the rock band alice in chains, published in january 2003. Angry chair a look inside the heart and soul of an incredible musician by argentinean writer and music fan adriana rubio. Layne staley first played in a band called sleze which consisted of shorewood high school students as well as future members of the bands the dehumanizers and second coming. My phone is over encumbered with waaaay too many photos soo. Legendary alice in chains and mad season singer layne staley died 16 years ago today though well publishing this a few hours before the official april 5th date. Layne staley news, music performances and show video clips. Layne thomas staley born layne rutherford staley, august 22, 1967 april 5, 2002 was an american musician best known as the original lead singer and cosongwriter of the rock band alice in chains, which rose to international fame in the early 1990s as part of seattles grunge movement, becoming known for staleys distinct vocal style and. Rock writer adriana rubio also explores the renaissance era to demonstrate the. Argentinean writer adriana rubio barely even cracks a small window into his life. I myself have never had a drug problem but pain is universal and can effect anybody who is touched by a piece of art such as music, film, painting, etc. Layne staley book itch, love stories about heroin due in.
Read unlimited books and audiobooks on the web, ipad. Late alice in chains singer layne staleys last interview revealed in new book. New alice in chains book reveals courtney loves suspicion that kurt cobain didnt commit suicide. I bought this book because there is a real dearth of material out there scandalously enough. Hey everyone long time no post so, i thought i would check in and just mention some new news on alice. May 27, 2017 as a grunger since the 90spart of why i moved to seattle in 1991 i have also loved both layne and chris. New chapters, pictures and artworks have been added as well as a note from the author. Late alice in chains singer layne staleys last interview revealed. Almost a year after the april 2002 death of alice in chains singer layne staley, the final interview with the troubled musician has surfaced in the recently released book layne staley.
The untold story is a little chaotic, with jumps in the timeline which fans of the band will occasionally question. We try to be real nice and friendly to people, but sometimes they take advantage of. The author david did approach me to participate like he did a lot of people so i. But upon joining garage bands and discovering rock music as a teenager black sabbath, the doors, etc. Layne staley with alice in chains unplugged staley. In response to my previous blog post about the adriana rubio book, i received the following email from liz coats, layne staley s sister. Above is the only studio album by the american rock band mad season, released on march 14, 1995, through columbia records. I really appreciate the contributions to music that layne made during his time here.