Who should I react to next? FREE course "Sing Better Instantly:" skl.sh/3aHdSuy. Join our B-E-A-U-TIFUL Family on Patreon www.patreon.com/MaggieRenee Thank you for your support! 😊💖

It's amazing that he was so sick and basically had one foot in the grave and was still able to sing like this. He'll never be duplicated

Jerry’s, “he’s killing it!” nod gets me every time 😭😭

"never heard Alice in chains" oh girl that's a rabbit hole you need to go down!

As someone who has suffered I can really tell how sick Layne is here. Unbelievable how pulled off this performance ❤

Great song choice, Love Hate Love Live at the Moore is a great one to react to, it shows Layne's emotions really nicely in his singing. Nutshell is a great one to react to as well and Would?. Give them a shot sometime, please. Layne and Jerry were the best at combining vocals, no others like those guys.

yes, Layne Staley had the higher voice than Jerry Cantrell I still say you need to react to "Would?"

Hard to believe that Layne and Jerry were improvising between each other since Layne was able to sing all of his parts. The perfect band, even on the spot and live.

Layne often held back…his voice was so powerful it could overwhelm not just the other vocalist but the instruments as well. You can see him holding back in this song.

I started watching the uncensored extended of this concert a few weeks ago, and I had to stop a quarter the way through; he was a mess. I know what that sickness feels like, and considering the state he was in I don't know how he was able to finish it. It was f'cking heartbreaking… What a loss; Layne and Mike.

This song is a love song from guitarist Jerry Cantrell to the love of his life Courtney Clarke. Early pressings listed this as the 12th track in the album. Later pressings listed this as the 4th track supposedly to fit better with the band’s desire to have the album loosely tell a story from song to song. Songwriter and guitarist Jerry Cantrell said of the song in the Music Bank box set liner notes, “Down in a Hole’s in my top three, personally. It’s to my long-time love. It’s the reality of my life, the path I’ve chosen and in a weird way it kind of foretold where we are right now. It’s hard for us to both understand…that this life is not conducive to much success with long-term relationships." Once Layne got his voice where he wanted it, it stayed there with little effort. He was always better live than studio version. Layne's vocal range can run rings around any other grunge singer in my opinion. Layne could sing the phone book and never hit a wrong note. Even at the end of his life, with no teeth and a lisp, his voice, wit and humor were all still there. Layne's voice and vocal range was so powerful he did NOT need auto tune or pro-tools until he lost his teeth and had a lisp around 1998, and even then he still killed the vocals. Barrett Martin (who played with Layne in Mad Season) said that when he stood to the side of the stage, he could hear the sound of Layne's vocal resonance come out of Layne's body LOUDER than it did coming out of the speakers, Layne's voice was that powerful. Layne's story is more tragic and haunting because you can actually watch and hear him deteriorate over the 12 year span: from the mild use of drugs in 1990 all the way through 1996 when he was deep into a heroin addiction to dropping to 90 pounds by 1998 to 86 pounds when he died in 2002. Layne was so much more than his drug addiction. He was able to come up with lyrics and harmonies off the top of his head. He knew enough to know that Jerry Cantrell was playing with the wrong people and gave him contact info for Sean Kinney and Mike Starr. He wrote the lyrics for the songs he sang on Mad Season's Above album and drew the cover art for that album. Layne was a genius in his own right. He still was able to figure things out in a snap off the top of his head. Layne just had his demons. With MTV Unplugged, when Layne finally gave the Okay to do it. They were supposed to rehearse in Seattle but NO one showed up. Sean, Mike and Jerry would show up at different times but Layne would be MIA or Layne would show up for one or two songs and then leave. When they finally got to New York, Sean and Mike had an argument with Jerry because they thought with Layne's condition and addiction, he wouldn't be able to hit the high notes. Jerry was the ONLY ONE who was confident that Layne could do it. When you watch DOWN IN A HOLE Unplugged, and Layne hits that high note, you see Jerry look over at Sean and Mike with this "I TOLD YOU SO!" smirk. Layne did it again on ROOSTER Unplugged and Jerry did that same smirk. The Unplugged show in 1996 is so heartbreaking to watch because Layne was deep in his heroin addiction (and yes, I know he was doing other drugs on top of Heroin). His liver was damaged and he knew it. He was just high enough to do the show to fight off withdrawal symptoms and he didn't get dope sick. He was such a ghost of himself during Unplugged. (Of course, Jerry had food poisoning) All Jerry saw when he looked over at Layne was his best friend was going to die soon due to the path Layne had chosen for his life. That show was filmed in April, 1996, premiered in May 1996. They did four shows with KISS in June-July 1996, after which Layne survived an overdose and became a recluse. After that, it was a six-year-long slow suicide. MTV (and the music industry) has more or less blackballed Layne (and yet, they laud over Kurt Cobain every April 5th, because Kurt was the "face of grunge", meanwhile Layne gets a "by the way"). The Grammys went so far as to invite Jerry, Mike and Sean to the Grammy show in 2003 and then refused to put Layne's picture up in the memorial of the musicians who died in 2002. (Or they "forgot" to) which pissed Jerry, Mike and Sean off and they walked out on the show. The friendship between Jerry and Layne was unbreakable. Jerry NEVER once thought of replacing Layne as the singer while Layne was still alive. He always wanted Layne to sing whenever he had AIC do something. If there were ever cosmic soulmates ... Layne and Jerry would be it. (And by that I mean, they were Sympatico with each other. The way they sang together was a perfect pitch where two voices make one. What you hear and see between Jerry and Layne was a genuine friendship. They looked after each other. When one had problems with a song, the other picked up the slack. They were a team. Jerry was doing a solo concert in Charlotte, NC when he heard that Layne was found two weeks after he died and Jerry was trying to get through the concert and crying. He did shows between the time he found out about Layne until Layne's funeral because if he had taken a break then, he didn't think he'd want to continue anything later after the mourning period. Alice In Chains was a band, but they were also a family. They had internal issues just like any family. When Layne died, it was like losing a loved one, a family member, you don't think of the fights you had with the person who died. You defend their memory. There is a reason Jerry wrote NO EXCUSES about Layne and the line "You, my friend, I will defend / And if we change, well, I'll love you anyway." "Whatever dramas are going on in my life, I always find that place inside my head where I see myself as the cleanest, tallest, strongest, wisest person that I can be." -- Layne Staley "My bad habits aren't my title. My strengths and my talent are my title." -- Layne Staley "When I tried drugs they were fucking 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. I wrote about drugs, and I didn't think I was being unsafe or careless by writing about them. I didn't want my fans to think heroin was cool. But then I've had fans come up to me and give me the thumbs up, telling me they're high. That's exactly what I didn't want to happen." -- Layne Staley "My grandmother and mother were such huge losses, but I got Layne, the guys, and I got this.” - Jerry Cantrell, Kerrang! (December 1, 2018) “Jerry really loved Layne [Staley]. They had a bond I haven't seen before,” Jerry’s former manager Bill Siddons, April 19, 2002 (the day Layne was found two weeks after he died).

That isn't Layne singing from the heart, that was already dead. He's singing from his soul; he had his demons to deal with.

It really seems like he's singing about his pending demise, predicting his death ... HEARTBREAKING

AIC is an awesome grunge band and are a Seattle legend

And, Layne was at FAR from his best during this performance. Heroin had taken SUCH a toll on him by this point. He had lost quite a few teeth, and, you can hear it in his diction. It's a terribly sad thing to see. Both he, and, Mike Starr, the bass player, lost their personal battles with addiction. R.I.P.

I think Layne that time is 28 or 29 yrs old. RIP one of the best singer of rocknroll

You can't find a better live performance than their MTV unplugged set. Gives me chills every damn time.

I remember watching this when it was live, well sort of live, on MTV. UNPLUGGED was one of my favorites, along with HEADBANGERS BALL and REMOTE CONTROL on MTV. I still remember watching Eric Clapton, Nirvana, Extreme (just to name a few) when they first aired. I even still have the cassette with this song on it. It’s sad to watch this all over again knowing what happens in the future. R.I.P. Layne 😞🙏

"I've eaten the Sun so my tounge has been burned of the taste"... Like damn....

By your reactions I feel you're making a connection to the song and the band. Nice reactions and analysis of their music! Always love to see an artist of your magnitude reacting to different genres and understanding the deeper meaning of music❤

Acoustic sessions are my favs, you get to hear the voices really clear, and it's also more intimate, great song, the best reactor!! 🤘🥀

I love seeing you rock along and sing along to these grungy works of art, lots of reactors claim to be singers but its cool when you can show it as well as talk about it

This is one of my favorite songs of theirs, it was a sad day when Layne died, not sure if they would ever be able to duplicate that sound.

This and several of their songs are what carried me through high school. Still chill inducing.

This performance is legendary, best band ever 💖

The combination of lane and Jerry is what made the uniqueness of AIC. The harmony they had has yet to be replicated in rock

I love this song Maggie, it is one of their best on that album. My all time favorite song from Alice in Chains is off their Jar of Flies album titled, "Don't Follow." It is such a melodic and soft song you want to play it over and over. Keep up the great works Maggs!

One of their best! Good choice. They have some other great songs too. Heaven Beside You, Would, Man in the Box, Rooster, and many more are worth a look 😉

I love this song. Great reaction Maggie.

Alice In Chains Unplugged is the best concert in music history. I love all the songs from this Unplugged. All the songs are real masterpieces because of Layne. The song Frogs is also very anazing! Although Layne was not feeling good at this point, his beautiful voice was still the best, and he did a great job singing. Also, a very beautiful and sweet guy!

THIS VIDEO IS A REPOST DUE TO COPYRIGHT ISSUES WITH KZfaq Who should I react to next? Join my FREE course "Sing Better Instantly:" skl.sh/3aHdSuy. Join our B-E-A-U-TIFUL Family on Patreon to influence and support channel content, connect with great people, and get personal replies from me: www.patreon.com/MaggieRenee Thank you for your support! 😊💖

One of my fav bands ever!!

I sleep to AIC when I want a night filled with weird ass creepy dreams

Love the reaction!🥰 The Song is growing on me. The more I listen to it the more I like it. It reminds of song. Il have to figure it out. Fun little rabbit hole.

The early 90's was a great time for young rock/music fans, so many great bands, the mix and influence of so many styles set me up to appreciate all genres of music. Well done 🤘🤘

Layne studied under legendary vocal coach David Kyle. Ann Wilson, Chris Cornell and Geoff Tate did as well among many others. The Maestro taught vocal students for over 50 years. Yes he was known as Maestro David Kyle and he deserved the title of Maestro 💯.

You should listen to this entire show. It’s absolutely amazing. RIP Layne Legend

Yeah this is a very vibe song. Glad you are able to share great music with us.

One of the all time greatest songs. Love it! Great video

great thing about recorded music it makes a person live forever and brings back the listeners memories every time that song is play be they good or bad ones.. i agree with the poster ricky spanish man in a box would have been a better intro for you but that's just a personal opinion..

Love it!!

Since you asked, I never really listened to them. Interesting vocal style, I hear why so many of my friends were drawn to them. I was interested that they recruited William Duvall as Staley's replacement. He was much better known in his earlier career as a lead guitarist

Although Would? is my favorite song of AIC, this one is a hidden diamond I have to admit. You were not familar with this is band, but AIC is very great and also widely wellknown. I know them already for three decades and I am from the Netherlands, more than 8,000 miles away. Seattle grunge rock, but the slower voice parts of Down in a Hole sounds little bit like CSNY in the early seventies. Very beautiful performance and nice male duo vocal controlled song of this very personal ballad.

Lmao, the irony of you saying “it sounds like his resonance is in a box” at 9:10, Layne Staley IS the Man In The Box.

The fact that Layne was high as hell on heroin with one foot in the grave during this performance is haunting, but the skill and power he still displayed is awe inspiring.

Such an iconic performance. Poor Layne :(

This entire show was great if you have time to watch. You should also check out the live version of “love hate love”

I think he got up there, "gave up", and just sang the fck out of everything. Like one last cry for help. Like these were his almost literal dying thoughts and/or feelings. As another personal warrior against the 'monster', I can remember people telling me how well I sounded when I was at the end of the night, or "the bottom". That's when, like Layne, you tend to open up and be vulnerable.... hoping someone TRULY hears you. But no one really HEARD it. RIP Layne. My love to you

Love Alice in chains. Please check out the album version sometime. The addition of distortion in a few parts might seem out of place after only hearing this version, but it really adds texture in a good way. My favorite Alice song is angry chair, and I highly recommend it, but, I'll click on any Alice song you choose to do. I do implore you listen to some of their heavier stuff though.

Awesome Maggie! The lead singer sings with a very raspy sound to his voice. Thanks for reacting to different groups and music🙏🏼🌹💕

This song is so much better in its original format. I don’t know why everyone only listens to the acoustic set of it

During this performance, and the whole show, Jerry sings a lot more lead and harmonics than he had done previously. This was because Jerry was suffering from stage fright and would always look down at his guitar. For this whole show, Layne basically forced Jerry into uncomfortable places by dropping out, taking backing vocals, and between sets gave his friend a pep talk. It really was a beautiful thing to see from a fan's perspective. Layne was a really great friend to Jerry, who is now the lead singer since Layne's death in 2004

I would LOVE to hear your take on Love Hate Love Live at the Moore Theater in 1990.

For lack of a better term Layne’s tone was the variables. Dynamic and a bit more rangy while Jerry is the constant with the steadier clean sound. The way they harmonize and do call and response singing sometimes at the same time is a trademark of their sound. William DuVall who is now in the band since Layne passed is an amazing vocalist in his own right and Jerry now takes the lead vocals in the majority of their newer material. For a couple of William era songs check out Your Decision, Ranier Fog, Last of my kind. And of course Black Gives way to Blue Featuring Elton John on Piano. (title track of the first album with William)

He was basically dying from heroin addiction at the time of this live performance. Many people saying a man singing at his own funeral... He was something diffrent no.more music like that anymore. RIP legend

15 second look at the unplugged and you could tell Lane was dying his addiction is taking a toll. One of the greatest vocalists of all time love hate love from 1990 live at the Moors like got to be one of the best vocal performances ever and if you're a good coach check that one out

Rain When I Die I believe is the song that really showcased the range of Layne. Worth a listen or perhaps an analysis.

Awesome! So sad he's no longer with us.

For fuck sake i cant believe it, this is the first time i see a youtuber trying not to stop the song and instead sharing her thoughts on the screen . Also when you stop it you say very punctual things, so, you got a new suscriber, i loved it, keep it up!

Love this version of my favorite AIC song, though I still slightly prefer the studio version ... your reaction is excellent, as always .. B-E-A-U-TIFUL :)

I really enjoyed your take on this. I honestly assumed that an opera singer or trained vocalist would hate grunge. I assumed those with an operatic background would prioritize technical skill above all else. I had no idea that those with your background would prioritize the art which I find fascinating. Thanks!

More Alice in chains please!!

very beautiful, thank you for recommending that I listen to it.

there is a band called Chimaira, that did a song called "down again" off their debut album that presented before Alice in Chains.....very under rated band you should check them out.

Regardless of what you were reading this song was written by Jerry about a relationship of his, but because the lyrics can easily be interpreted in many ways it coincidentally fits Layne's story as well... I was a teenager when their first album came out and have been an AIC enthusiast (not a fan(atic)) ever since. Appreciate the reaction.

Great reaction.

i love the cat felling the music 5:53 😂😂😸😺😺

I've noticed that they switch up the high and low harmonies.

The best thing about reactions like this is watching somebody discover a song you know and maybe take for granted. That way you remember why it appealed to you in the first place. I'd have to say this accoustic performance from MTV'S Unplugged is actually better than the studio version, like Nirvana's and Stone Temple Pilots' Unplugged efforts. The excellent unique vocals really shine through, and you can feel the emotion and pain behind the song. Like other reacters from a classical background, you can appreciate the novel music while interpreting it technically, you learn we learn. Perfect!

Born and raised in the REAL Washington - came of age in the 90's. AiC is like the top five Grunge bands - but the darkest. My friend who went to UW saw Layne at the end of his days... he was emaciated and... heroin...

I honestly think it would have been an amazing, nay spellbinding sound if you were able to have sung with them on the chorus that night. The harmony would have been wonderful.

Thank you.

band called cellar darling the song black moon

Maybe not for the channel, but check out the AIC song Black Gives Way To Blue. It's Jerry's goodbye to Layne. Wrecks me ever time I hear it. Oh and Elton John plays piano on that song too

This is one gorgeous reactor

Listen to ‘Man in the Box’ or ‘Love Hate Love’ both live at the Moore ❤

By the time this concert was filmed, Layne was WELL into his addiction. I lived in Washington and was a huge AIC fan. If you knew his voice from his early days his voice was strong and powerful. Now in this concert he toned it down for the “unplugged” setting. Going back to his drug use - his teeth were starting to decay to the point where if you “know” Layne’s voice you can almost start to hear a lisp in it from the rotting teeth. It was so unfortunate but this was the BEST MTV Unplugged session that they had.

React to "love hate love"...live in Seattle...I think you will like Maggie

I like AiC (a lot) and I like acoustic performances BUT the album version is just better👍

Would is a great sing from them also

Saw Alice In Chains way back in the very early 90's as the opening act for the legendary Clash Of The Titans tour. A Lot of metal fans were not impressed when they were named as the intro band for Anthrax, MegaDeth, and Slayer...by the end of their set, though, I can honestly say that AIC had gained the respect of many metalheads. On another note, I believe at the time when this Unplugged was recorded Layne Staley had a lot of problems with his teeth due to his heroin addiction (which ultimately ended his life 'R.I.P.'). This, I'm sure, contributed to his attempts to somewhat hide his teeth. Great reaction! I would like to suggest King Diamond's Sleepless Nights live at the Fillmore. I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised. Would especially enjoy seeing your take on it. Just FYI, King was in his early 60's during this performance. Keep rockin' and stay heavy 🤘

From my first date with my now wife 12 years ago, she knows if she hears this playing on repeat, this unplugged edition, it's a bad, bad day... A rescue went bad, a homicide, etc...

of the bands you named only 1 of the lead singers is alive and has a song called ALIVE Eddie Veder of Pearl Jam

Check out Rooster next, another great song by them

Summoned !! I am always up for some AIC, and I apologize for being late. (sorry. it was a long and eventful day at la clinica.) I remember seeing this song during the original, 'live' broadcast and nearly cried, because Layne's personal demons had been on full display in the previous year. Such a wonderful talent, and such a sad end. (Instrumentalist's Corner Here : I really like their choice of guitar for Jerry's part. It's a Jumbo-body style, with a very hard-wood sound (rosewood or maple for the body, perhaps?) That guitar** has a nice 'hole' in it's audio spectrum, and that's where the two male voices can dominate. The picking focuses it's articulations above the 800Hz range (more harmonics, less fundamental). If a Mahogany-bodied guitar was used, the fundamental notes would have competed more for the space that Jerry (especially) was in... I'm not sure anything can over-ride or 'cover up' Layne's voice... he could cut through a Chromatic orchestral crash, if he wished. ) During the early 90's, I was late in my engineering heyday, working 65+ hour weeks. I listened to music endlessly, but never took time off to see it live. Such a missed opportunity. So many great bands just outside my back door here in the PNW. Now I am getting back into music at an age I never thought I'd get to see, both listening and playing. Listening to AIC is like opening a letter from an old friend.... you blow off the dust a relive a decade or two in a matter of moments. (a word picture from my life/career-change in the late 90's) Sitting up to 2 AM, waxing up crowns at the dental school lab and casting gold with an acetylene torch and a hand-wound centrifuge.... late at night, it become a hypnotic thing. (Pretty sure OSHA was ignored on a regular basis.) Music was an integral part of that dance... each student had their own radio for entertainment, and it was understood that if we were alone in the lab we could turn on a couple extras to keep us awake. Can you imagine hearing AIC from 70 small stereos? I can. It's quite the experience. I'm sure others will give you directions for more AIC tunes. One thing I might add : listen to an AIC side-project called Mad Season. Imagine this music, but a bit more moody, and with instruments like a vibraphone taking center stage. Thank you for stopping by to say hello in that old post of mine. Of course, the invitation was accepted. As you wish. ** I have a similar instrument, with the body made of Wenge, a very, very hard wood. It is a wonderful instrument to accompany with.

Jerry Cantrell's solo stuff is really, really good as well.

Layne had great range and mayne choose the lower register but has at least 3-4 octaves he can go to. Such a tragic loss but glad I witnessed . Great channel and analysis

It's especially impressive considering he was legitimately about 90% dead at this point.

the pink hair guy was in the process of dying from heroin addiction and he could still belt like that

The album version of nutshell will have you crying

Thank You

Nutshell unplugged is a MUST 👍 Love Hate Love Live 👍 🤘❤🇨🇦

The guy with the pink hair is Layne

god gave these people talent and gave me a hard way to go

My favorite AIC song has always been "Would?". Layne and Jerry at their best

Jerry had food poisoning & had a bucket nearby incase he had to throw up & I read that Layne took a small dose of Heroin right before he went on to prevent withdrawals, there's camera angles of him where u can see into his eyes & it's so sad, I really feel for him & the rest of the band too...I can't get through this show without balling, such a tormented soul caught in addiction. I think he may have been missing some teeth at the point too.

more Alice in chains please

Woooooo

Grunge unplugged turns out to be very musical. Maggie Renee once again shows her understanding and appreciation of a wide range of music. Want more? Subscribe and turn on notifications and never miss anything new from Maggie. Then check out the treasure trove of stuff she has already done on her KZfaq home page, 🥀

There will only ever be one Layne Staley...to me him and Chris Cornell emit the most emotion through their voices when they sang...RIP to both...sad that in this performance Layne was almost one foot in the grave..it's almost like he was singing at his own eulogy...but even still on the drugs and sick he had so much power in his voice