I always liked AIC music; but not a "fan" (so to speak) until 1-2 yrs. ago.

I do, however, remember every time I heard their songs on the radio; I thought, "Wow......those guys sound so cool together..............."

It was almost as if I didn't consciously realize (at the time) that I would sit there & really LISTEN to those 2 guys sounding so great harmonizing with each other........and their music -- just went right along with the voices.....truly beautiful......but they were still "rock" (basically).....

I know this isn't a memory of Layne; but there again,......the "voice" --- it didn't really matter who the voice belonged to.......it was just such a unique/beautiful sound......no matter who he sang with........(but I do believe he sounded the best with Jerry or alone of course.....)

Exciting story, yes!

 

I can't explain just how much I miss Layne. I could write 100 page and never fully express what a profound loss it is that he isn't here.  It sucks so bad, but I am grateful that we are left with a lot of music and memories.

 

---

Don't take your guns to town son, leave your guns at home Bill.

I was fortunate enough to see Alice in their hey-day many times...I miss Layne immensely---He was a truly phenomenal man!  I was also lucky enough to have spent some time in their acquaintence while they were out on the road in the early 90's.  I regret missing out on several chances to have hung out with Layne--It's unfortunate looking back at it all now.

All the bandmembers are really great guys...Some of the kindest men you'd ever wanna meet.  I'm not at liberty to share ALL of my stories since I'm a moderator here but at any rate, the history goes back a long way ;-)  I miss those days a LOT...All that talent at such a young age is a rarity these days...Imo, no other band can touch what was Alice ---I never gave up on them through their hardships which is why I'm STILL here supporting them...They deserve the very best for what they give and what they have always given has been genuine...

Layne's mother Nancy is one of a kind...She's been such a friend to me in every sense of the word...She blessed us all with that crafty son of hers ;-)  Layne was a beautiful man inside and out---Words elude me when it comes to Layne...

All of the guys have been through so much through the years...A big thanks to everyone who supports them and believes in them...Sorry if I seem sappy but I had to speak my heart ;-)  Love & Peace, Lea

---

"One never reaches home, but wherever friendly paths intersect the whole world looks like home for a time." ~ Hermann Hesse

LCooley:

I was fortunate enough to see Alice in their hey-day many times...I miss Layne immensely---He was a truly phenomenal man!  I was also lucky enough to have spent some time in their acquaintence while they were out on the road in the early 90's.  I regret missing out on several chances to have hung out with Layne--It's unfortunate looking back at it all now.

All the bandmembers are really great guys...Some of the kindest men you'd ever wanna meet.  I'm not at liberty to share ALL of my stories since I'm a moderator here but at any rate, the history goes back a long way ;-)  I miss those days a LOT...All that talent at such a young age is a rarity these days...Imo, no other band can touch what was Alice ---I never gave up on them through their hardships which is why I'm STILL here supporting them...They deserve the very best for what they give and what they have always given has been genuine...

Layne's mother Nancy is one of a kind...She's been such a friend to me in every sense of the word...She blessed us all with that crafty son of hers ;-)  Layne was a beautiful man inside and out---Words elude me when it comes to Layne...

All of the guys have been through so much through the years...A big thanks to everyone who supports them and believes in them...Sorry if I seem sappy but I had to speak my heart ;-)  Love & Peace, Lea

that was beautiful, not sappy at all going to my first tribute 3 years ago has changed my life incredibly, Nancy is the most amazing woman.........& altho i missed AiC back in the day, they have helped me thru the roughest times of my life & brought me back from hell.........i only wish i could have met Layne but i've met the rest of the guys since & that has meant more to me than most people can ever imagine.........

---

~For little peace from God you plead, and beg~ Layne Staley~Mad Season
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
www.grungefm.com ~ www.laynestaleyfund.com

catwoman:

LCooley:

I was fortunate enough to see Alice in their hey-day many times...I miss Layne immensely---He was a truly phenomenal man!  I was also lucky enough to have spent some time in their acquaintence while they were out on the road in the early 90's.  I regret missing out on several chances to have hung out with Layne--It's unfortunate looking back at it all now.

All the bandmembers are really great guys...Some of the kindest men you'd ever wanna meet.  I'm not at liberty to share ALL of my stories since I'm a moderator here but at any rate, the history goes back a long way ;-)  I miss those days a LOT...All that talent at such a young age is a rarity these days...Imo, no other band can touch what was Alice ---I never gave up on them through their hardships which is why I'm STILL here supporting them...They deserve the very best for what they give and what they have always given has been genuine...

Layne's mother Nancy is one of a kind...She's been such a friend to me in every sense of the word...She blessed us all with that crafty son of hers ;-)  Layne was a beautiful man inside and out---Words elude me when it comes to Layne...

All of the guys have been through so much through the years...A big thanks to everyone who supports them and believes in them...Sorry if I seem sappy but I had to speak my heart ;-)  Love & Peace, Lea

that was beautiful, not sappy at all going to my first tribute 3 years ago has changed my life incredibly, Nancy is the most amazing woman.........& altho i missed AiC back in the day, they have helped me thru the roughest times of my life & brought me back from hell.........i only wish i could have met Layne but i've met the rest of the guys since & that has meant more to me than most people can ever imagine.........

Thanks catwoman =)...I'm so glad they've helped you through so much---That's a beautiful thing indeed!  To put your soul out there for the world to see is a big act of generosity and often a painful one...If only one person was touched by that, it would still be worth it to those guys...They've touched thousands of people's lives over the years and it just doesn't ever stop thank God!  The music has withstood the test of time...

I'm glad you got to see Nancy again this year...I regret that I couldn't make it...I was on the guest list to be there but life got in the way of that!  I was there in spirit though ;-)...I'm keeping optimistic about next year and hoping to share some more artwork...

It's good to talk to you after all this time ;-)  Thank you for appreciating/purchasing that rendering of Layne I did---It's nice to know your work falls into the hands of those who ultimately see the beauty in it...

---

"One never reaches home, but wherever friendly paths intersect the whole world looks like home for a time." ~ Hermann Hesse

mermaidcave:

due to popular demand, this is a thread where you all can talk about the amazing layne staley. please feel free to post stories, thoughts, & memories of layne. Try to keep it on topic please.

 

thanks,

nicole 

if, for some reson i must die young, then i want to walk alongside layne if there is an afterlife, layne and kurt

---

Lets just say i was testing the bounds of reality. I was curious to see what would happen. Thats all it was: just curiosity.
Jim Morrison
Los Angels, 1969

DarthVedder:

mol79:

I have been a AIC fan since the early 90's.  They are one of my husband's and I's favorite bands.  My husband and I met in the summer of 1996 and I have so many fond memories of being with him when we were first together, and AIC always rocking in the stereo.The raw emotion in Layne's voice and the way Layne and Jerry would harmonize together.  The music is just so emotional that words can't describe the way it effects me. Unfortunately, when my husband and I were married it was one of the happiest, yet saddest day ever.  We were married on April 20, 2002.  Neither of us had been listening to the news or radio that day with so much going on.  After our ceremony we left the church en route to the reception and turned on the radio.  An AIC tune was on, Don't Follow,  and after it was over they had said that layne was dead.  I lost it and began to cry uncontrolably.  It took me a little while to get myself together and my husband was very upset also.  Needless to say, the rest of my wedding day was full of mixed emotions.   It was suppose to be one of the happiest days of my life, yet something horrible had just happened.   Every year on our anniversary is the same.  We are happy to celebrate our marriage but at the same time we are reminded of when we heard the horrible news.

 

  

That's terrible. I'm so sorry that that happened to you. It's almost as if Alice in Chains was meant to bring you two together and when you were married, it was like it's happened and Layne's dead. I'm just glad that the music is still with us.

I never really thought of it that way.  But yes, I am also very glad the music is still with us.  Needless to say, I will be in need of some MAJOR waterproof mascara when I see them in November.  I just know I'm going to be bawling like a baby.   I never had the chance to see them before we lost Layne.  I tear up just listening to their CD's. 

I've told this one in the past but it bears repeating for the new group of peeps we have here.

I was walking down 45th towards the Ave (University of Washington main street) to grab some food, and from across the ave comes Layne. I think he was in the bong shop across the street.  I said hello, he (shockingly) remembered me, and we started walking along shooting the bull.

He asked about some of the guys we both know, and I tell him I'm going to McDonalds to grab some food and invite him along. We get to the door of McDonalds and the place was closed. We both looked around and it wasn't just closed, but it was GONE, as in closed down for good.

We started heading north on the avenue, and he starts cracking these jokes about the McDonalds being closed down. I can't quote him but it was something like this....

"Can you imagine how idiotic the management must have been to get their McDonalds shut down, not just ANY McDonalds, but a McDonalds that sits 1 block from a huge university."

"Did they forget during the training course to tell the new employees to ask the customer if they'd like fries with that?"

"That's it!! None of the employees ask if you'd like fries, and they lost their ass."

"How on earth can a McDonalds close down?"

"What's next?"
 
"7/11's closing down because they forgot to prepare their cheese wiz for the Nacho's?"

"Did Ronald and the Hamburgler steal Chicken Nuggets after everyone went home, and it cut into their bottom line?"

"Did Mayor McCheese divert taxes away and spend it on lavish vacations or possibly hookers?"

....and he went on for like 5 minutes, it was something that would have been the funniest part of any movie, and he did it off the top of his head.

If you ever hear anyone say Layne was a serious guy, tell them you know better. The guy had a sense of humor second to NO ONE.

RIP Layne.... The Earth will never ever be the same....
 

---

There are three types of people in the World. Those that know how to do simple math, and those that don't.

That is so cool. I have never had to chance to meet Layne personally. He is my friend in dreams and thoughts, I miss him though.  He has helped me in my life in so many ways. I have fought my battles and have overcome many obstacles and had Layne's music there with me. I listen to AIC all the time and only wish that I could have been there to see and meet Layne. He lives on forever in my mind and one day I will meet him.  Layne your my hero and when I come home I can not wait to see your face. I was able to go see AIC in San Diego, and it was great, but NO ONE can take Layne's place. I could feel Layne there with us!  Keep Layne legend alive forever. I have shared AIC with my kids, and they love it too!

RIP Layne, I miss you, keep the gates open for one day I will be there with you!

I agree Tricia. He's missed everyday.

Doody206:

If you ever hear anyone say Layne was a serious guy, tell them you know better. The guy had a sense of humor second to NO ONE.

RIP Layne.... The Earth will never ever be the same....
 

I wish more ppl could remember that about him more...

For those of you who have met him, thanks for sharing your stories they were very nice to read. 

Well, I was way too young in the 90s to know of the band.  Even when Layne died, I still didn't know who he was.  In any case, I've learned enough from some YouTube videos that Layne was a funny guy.  I don't know if any of you have seen it, but there's a certain video where an interviewer is asking the band about their most humilating moment.  Layne has a funny story about him on a plane involving a flight attendant.  It's pretty hilarious.

From what I've gathered, Layne surely seems like he was an awesome guy.  My only regret is not having known the band when he was still alive.

I just love it when people throw the comment out about somebody they think they no ( I DONT KNOW MYSELF BUT I WILL SAY IT ANYWAY BECAUSE THATS WHAT I HEARD SOMEONE SAY) hope you dont guide your life on assumption!!!!!!!!

davidcantrell:

I just love it when people throw the comment out about somebody they think they no ( I DONT KNOW MYSELF BUT I WILL SAY IT ANYWAY BECAUSE THATS WHAT I HEARD SOMEONE SAY) hope you dont guide your life on assumption!!!!!!!!

I agree with that. Like the saying goes, "Don't ASSUME anything... because then you make an ASS out of U and ME"
Not only that, but it gives you the false impression of someone or something...  

---

'Eat of the apple so young... I'm crawling back to start...'

QueenOfTheRodeo:

davidcantrell:

I just love it when people throw the comment out about somebody they think they no ( I DONT KNOW MYSELF BUT I WILL SAY IT ANYWAY BECAUSE THATS WHAT I HEARD SOMEONE SAY) hope you dont guide your life on assumption!!!!!!!!

I agree with that. Like the saying goes, "Don't ASSUME anything... because then you make an ASS out of U and ME"
Not only that, but it gives you the false impression of someone or something...  

I admit, even though this is becoming off topic, I had to comment here.  Ya know, since we CAN'T "read" peoples minds; we ALL "assume" things CONSTANTLY.....and don't even realize it. 

How often do people say "one thing" and don't mean it but we "assume" they are telling us the truth.  How often do people change their minds but we "assume" they will "keep" the same opinion......How often do we "assume" when a person is always "happy" in public; that they are just as happy at home; but may really be "by polar" & could be extremely depressed when they are alone. 

Sure, for example, a person's date of birth is a fact.   But when it comes to emotions, thoughts, comments, interviews; that stuff can change at any time; fact or fiction & we can only assume, at the time, if it's accurate or not.  Even the best source can base their comment on bias or personal belief.....doesn't mean it's the truth......we can only assume or better yet HOPE it's the truth.