Posted on 04/20/2002 1:57:32 AM PDT by WDG55513
Body found in home may be that of Alice in Chains singer
Group soared with grunge movement
Saturday, April 20, 2002
By CANDACE HECKMAN
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
A body was found Friday at the University District home of Layne Staley, the lead singer of the seminal Seattle grunge band Alice in Chains.
Law enforcement sources said the body was Staley's, but would not give specifics and referred all questions to police spokesmen -- who did not return repeated calls for comment.
According to the Seattle Fire Department's dispatch log, an aid response was called to Staley's last known address in the 4500 block of Eighth Avenue Northeast in the University District, a section of the city where many boarding homes are located.
The Medical Examiner's office said late last night that they responded to a call at Staley's address and found someone who appeared to have been dead for several days.
They have not officially identified the person.
Staley, 34, wrote lyrics that dealt with the darkness of his struggle with heroin abuse.
Alice in Chains debut album, "Facelift," was released in 1990 and the group quickly rose to prominence along with other bands from the tight-knit local music community like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden; one of Pearl Jam's first shows was as an opening act for Alice in Chains.
In 1992, the group released their critically acclaimed album "Dirt," which featured the hit singles "Would?" and "Rooster." The band distinguished itself from its Seattle peers with a hard, morbid sound, and Staley's music often touched on drugs.
According to a fan Web site, Staley was born in 1967 in Kirkland.
The first instrument he played was the drums at the age of 12. He later played in different bands around Seattle.
At a party in 1987, Staley met Jerry Cantrell, who introduced him to Mike Starr (bass) and Sean Kinney (drums).
They decided to start a band and Alice In Chains was born.
In a 1996 interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Staley spoke of how his drug use influenced his lyrics.
"I wrote about drugs, and I didn't think I was being unsafe or careless by writing about them," Staley told the magazine. "Here's how my thinking pattern went: When I tried drugs, they were (expletive) great, and they worked for me for years, and now they're turning against me -- and now I'm walking through hell, and this sucks."
In the same article, he said: "I'm gonna be here for a long time. I'm scared of death, especially death by my own hand. I'm scared of where I would go. Not that I ever consider that, because I don't."
Staley told the magazine he did not want to be seen as a rock god or martyr.
"I saw all the suffering that Kurt Cobain went through. I didn't know him real well, but I just saw this real vibrant person turn into a real shy, timid, withdrawn, introverted person who could hardly get a hello out ... At the end of the day or at the end of the party, when everyone goes home, you're stuck with yourself."
Mrs Kus
No, but they sure try. Many of the bands out now aren't exactly subtle when it comes to lifting AIC's style or ideas.
Personally, I always found Chains to be the top Seattle group. Facelift and Dirt really walk all over anything put out by Nirvana, Soundgarden, or Pearl Jam.
You were probably drunk when you posted that.
We chase misprinted lies
We face the path of time
And yet I fight
And yet I fight
This battle all alone
No one to cry to
No place to call home
My gift of self is raped
My privacy is raked
And yet I find
And yet I find
Repeating in my head
If I can't be my own
I'd feel better dead
Mrs Kus
I agree.
Mrs Kus
We chase misprinted lies
We face the path of time
And yet I fight
And yet I fight
This battle all alone
No one to cry to
No place to call home
My gift of self is raped
My privacy is raked
And yet I find
And yet I find
Repeating in my head
If I can't be my own
I'd feel better dead
BTW - is there any doubt that it IS him?
Mrs Kus
RIP, Layne. I hope you've found peace.
I don't know. The only place I've seen any reports of this are in the PI. I've heard nothing about it anywhere else - not even MTVNews. Maybe they're waiting for it to become official.
It's kind of disappointing.. if this had happened a couple of years ago it'd be huge news. No one seems to care anymore.
Bury Me Softly In This Womb
I Give This Part Of Me For You
Sand Rains Down And Here I Sit
Holding Rare Flowers
In A Tomb.....In Bloom
Down In A Hole And I Don't Know
If I Can Be Saved
See My Heart I Decorate It
Like A Grave
You Don't Understand Who They
Thought I Was Supposed To Be
Look At Me Now A Man
Who Won't Let Himself Be
Down In A Hole, Losin' My Soul
Down In A Hole, Losin' Control
I'd Like To Fly
But My Wings Have Been So Denied
Down In A Hole And They've Put All
The Stones In Their Place
I've Eaten The Sun So My Tongue
Has Been Burned Of The Taste
I Have Been Guilty
Of Kicking Myself In The Teeth
I Will Speak No More
Of My Feelings Beneath
Oh I Want To Be Inside Of You
Down In A Hole, Losin' My Soul
Down In A Hole, Feelin' So Small
Down In A Hole, Losin' My Soul
Down In A Hole, Out Of Control
I'd Like To Fly
But My Wings Have Been So Denied
I care. I've been in mourning all day. Truly, truly sad news. At least for music lovers.
There will never be another AIC. They had a sound and style all unto themselves.
I think I'm going to go drown my sorrows now (don't worry, drug warriors, it will be with LEGAL alchohol).
Know me broken by my master
Teach thee on child of love hereafter
Into the flood again
Same old trip it was back then
So I made a big mistake
Try to see it once my way
Drifting body it's sole desertion
Flying not yet quite the notion
Am I wrong?
Have I run too far to get home
Have I gone?
And left you here alone
If I would, could you?
RIP Layne.
Dust Rise Right On Over My Time
Empty Fossil Of The New Scene
I Feel So Alone
Gonna End Up A Big Ole Pile A Them Bones
Toll Due Bad Dream Come True
I Lie Dead Gone Under Red Sky
I Feel So Alone
Gonna End Up A Big Ole Pile A Them Bones
-----------
"Got Me Wrong"
Unplugged
Yeah, it goes away
All of this and more of nothing in my life
No color clay
Individuality not safe
As of now I bet you got me wrong
So unsure you run from something strong
I can't let go
Threadbare tapestry unwinding slow
Feel a tortured brain
Show your belly like you want me to
As of now I bet you got me wrong
So unsure you run from something strong
I haven't felt like this in so long
Wrong, in a sense too far gone from love
That don't last forever
Something's gotta turn out right
You sugar taste
Sweetness doesn't often touch my face
Stay if you please
You may not be here when I leave
As of now I bet you got me wrong
So unsure we reach for something strong
I haven't felt like this in so long
Wrong, in a sense too far gone from love
Strong, I haven't felt like this in so long
Wrong, in a sense too far gone from love
That don't last forever
Something's gotta turn out right
RIP Layne.
OK. Bye.
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