How Alice in Chains MTV Unplugged Concert Could've Been a Disaster
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- čas přidán 26. 06. 2024
- Alice in Chains MTV Unplugged Concert could've ended in disaster, but it ended up being one of the greatest Unplugged Performances of all time.
0:00 - Introduction/MTV's Request
1:00 - Rehearsals/Layne's Issues
3:20 - Unplugged Performance
5:17 - Aftermath/Reaction
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#laynestaley #aliceinchains #jerrycantrell #mtvunpluggedvideos
I cite my sources and they may differ than other people's accounts, so I don't guarantee the actual accuracy of my videos.
In November of 1995 Alice in Chains would release their final studio album with frontman Layne Staley. Nearly six months after the album came out the band hadn’t played a single date to support the record. In fact Alice in Chains hadn’t played a live show since early 1994, an acoustic set for a benefit show. It would be ironic their first show in two years would be another acoustic show for MTv’s unplugged program which took place in New York City in April of 1996.
According to guitarist Jerry Cantrell, the band had been asked numerous times by MTv to record an unplugged set. By this point Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots had already done the show. Cantrell would tell Kerrang “We were thinking: ‘No disrespect, but hasn’t this been done by everyone? We don’t need to do that!’” Eventually the band gave in to MTV’s request.
Alice in chains by this point in their career were no strangers to performing acoustically having put out the SAP and Jar of Flies EP. For the band the prospect of playing a live acoustic set was both scary and an opportunity to show just how good the band’s songs were with Cantrell recalling to Kerrang “There’s no safety net, so your songs better be pretty good,” “Boiling it down reveals the heart of the song, without all the bells and whistles, and if it still hits in that environment then you did good
While Layne worked with the supergroup Mad Season in 1995, his appearance had drastically changed since the last time Alice in Chains were touring. The years of drug abuse had clearly taken their told. Looking noticably thin and the colour gone from his face, he would emerge last on stage wearing sunglasses to cover his sunken eyes, a long sleeve t-shirt and gloves to hide his drug use. It was said by this point in time Layne had already lost several of his teeth to drug use with some pointing ot a noticeable lisp during the show. Even though the band had accepted mtv’s offer to appear on the program, whether the performance would happen was another question. Drummer Sean kinney telling greg prato “up to the moment it was just a nail-biter. Barely any rehearsing at all, guys not showing up - the same shit. Rolled out there and everything worked.”
Alex Coletti who was a producer at MTV had long worked on mtv’s unplugged series since it’s inception in 1989 would tell author david de sola that since the band wasn’t touring at the time it actually worked in their favour recalling “if you’re on tour playing arenas and big rock venues every night to unplug when you’re in that headspace is really hard, to kind of turn down. But coming from a resting period, they were able to approach it as if they were rehearsing this one thing. It wasn’t an add-on to a buy schedule. ”
The band would rehearse in Seattle before flying to new york. Coletti would recall to De Sola flying to rehearsals to discuss instruments, stage setup and gear. The band would work with Tobi Wright who did the band’s last two released jar of flies and their self titled record.
Colletti would recall getting a last minute request for lava lamps from the band recalling in the ssamemae book ‘i was getting them so late. Apparently lava lamps need to be heated and turned on for quite a while before they do what theyre meant to do. So if you watch the show, they’re kind of sluggish and not at full potential. So the lava lamps themselves were kind of grungy and just barely moving around. It was kind of fitting, but we didn’t do it on purpose.
Randy Biro who served as the band’s stage manager and guitar and bass tech recalled Layne bringing his own drug supply ahead of the gig which he brought in a glass pill bottle recalling “he hadn’t done enough where he was nodding off and drooling,:
The performance was also notable because the band debuted a new song in ‘The Killer is me’ - Hudba
Favourite song from the performance?
Nutshell or Down in a Hole for me
Down in a hole.
Would?
@@rnrtruestories nutshell fo sho
Nutshell
Nirvana always gets credit for their unplugged performance, which I will say is terrific, but for me, Alice in Chains is the premiere Unplugged performance. Even with Layne at his supposed weakest, he still gave what many consider to be one of the best and strongest Unplugged performances of all time. Their performance of "Nutshell" is absolutely haunting!
Nutshell and No Excuses sounded better there than on Jar of Flies. I absolutely love Nirvana’s Unplugged performance, but Alice in Chains took it to a different level.
Absolutely, AiC gave the best unplugged show ever💗
@@TheStepmonkey I had not seen a band nail their songs so well. literally could have been an in studio album. It was the best unplugged by any band.
Totally agree! Those are my two favorite unplugged concerts, both were excellent, but Alice in Chains performance was legendary.
it's Alice in chains or blind melon
Layne was such in bad shape but sang like an angel, that performance chokes me up every time.
Even at his worst Layne could absolutely tear it up
At his worst, he was unable to go on stage 😪
💯 😁😎🤘🤘
@@bobbyblair6862 😭😭😭😭😪
Same with Scott Weiland
@@brandvilla6592 💗🤘
Nutshell from the Unplugged album will still get me teary eyed, and give me goosebumps to this day. Such a hauntingly beautiful song.
That's me with "Don't Follow" on "Jar of Flies."
I'm with you on nutshell unplugged. What a simple, short worded,yet cuts right to the bone song. And I don't mean "simple" as an insult. They could've easily added other sounds or another verse to beef it up but didn't. IMO, it's a masterpiece in its simplest form. I'm very prejudiced when it comes to that song.
The entrance by Layne is epic. He just walks out sits down and immediately starts belting out the first lyrics 🤘
chilling.
@@myfavoritebigbootylatina6980 irrelevant to the current topic… are you an Alex Stein fan by chance? 😂
RIP Layne. We miss you 💜
That entire Unplugged session was a spiritual moment in musical history.
Yes it was....very....
Oh yes. Definitely transcending and spiritual. I am so happy I picked up a copy of Facelift back in 1990. Been in love ever since.
Oh fo sho! 🥰🥺😎😭😍
Gay
Absolutely
This is my favorite album by any artist. Just hearing the sound of death knocking in Layne's voice is hauntingly beautiful.
Still one of my all time favorite albums. Jerry's backing vocals really made that performance come alive.
Rest in Peace Layne. Your music will always live on
In April of 1991 I was in rehab with Layne he was an amazing human being 💚💛🧡💜💙
This one was my all time favorite Unplugged show because it was so raw and deep and you can see how deep down the drug hole layne was in and he poured his heart out in his singing
Everything about that concert was amazing. One of the greatest voices in rock history belonged to Layne.
Best Unplugged session and even better with the outtakes.
An iconic performance, the vibe and soulfulness is amazing
At his worst; teeth rotted out, malnourished, fiending for heroin, Layne was eons better than damn near any lead singer on the market in 2022. Without a question, the single greatest Unplugged session of the series.
Respect.
Amen brother! A-fckuing-men!
That's a reach
They just don’t make em like layne anymore
He hadn’t lost any teeth. People always blame H. He was also a crak addict. That’s what led to his demise, you can live a long time on dope.
I literally can’t get enough of these Aic videos you make. Idk what else you can cover, but keep ‘em rolling out if you got more content👍
Thanks
Sameee
Absolutely, anything and everything with these guys, ESP Layne Staley of course 🙏🙏👍👍
@@TheStepmonkey You wrote "Sammy". You repeat the "A" or "M". Never repeat the silent vowel, it changes the word. Still, most everyone does though...
I keep Up Sticking With Nirvanas Music and Alice in Chainses Music 🤟👍
Layne is one of the GOATs, so sad what happened to him. There's nothing worse than the withdrawals from that stuff. Nothing
Yep, puts you in a box. Makes you feel things your body and mind can't tolerate but it still ravages you. Killed all my friends family and favorite artists. When will it end man?
God, this brings tears to my eyes. Such a great band whose original existence was too short. A one-of-a-kind. 😥 R.I.P. Layne
Hands down the best of the Unplugged era. 👏👏
Agreed
After nirvana
@@mirkomedjed9845 yah Nah
@@mirkomedjed9845 nope. Alice In Chains was the best unplugged ever
Stp takes it in my opinion
Even a shell of his former self he could still mesmerise you with his voice
The way Jerry speaks about it becoming clear that AiC was nearing its true end and also the fact that an addict has to want to help themselves first is a pretty harrowing thing to hear if you try to imagine how the others must've felt at that time. They all knew Layne was a dead man walking, hell, Layne knew it best, the lyrics on much of Tripod read like a farewell letter.
Hopefully he is at peace now, he never lost his spark and ripped the stage every night despite the chaos around him.
i cryed every time seeing layne staley in that shape. rip layne staley.
Frogs gives me chills to this day. That song made me get sober
Congrats
hopefully you are still sober
@@akadkins69 yes, going on 3 years. Everytime I feel like I'm about to relapse, I put on dirt by AIC AND FIGHT THROUGH
@@SynIMPFML666 congratulations to you! i hope you continue your success
whats your story with addic? if you dont mind sharing
I used to listen to this at night as I fell asleep
Same here. Nice to meet ya.
I still do lol
I threw it on right after this video haha
One of the best Unpluggeds ever! Its definitely bittersweet bc you could see Layne was not in a good shape.
Don't mess with the needle or the spoon you're really trip to the moon it's going to take you away Lord is going to bury you boy
The best!!!
I think it's the best unplugged concert. Just in front of Nirvana.
I think it's the best unplugged concert. Just in front of Nirvana.
Yet you couldn't show enough respect to spell his name properly.
I never get tired of A.I.C. vids on here! 🤟
I love Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots unplugged. But Alice In Chains unplugged was the best of all
I can remember watching it live on MTV that night, I felt really bad for the whole band but especially for Layne, you could see he was just wasted. Really sad 😔 favorite for me besides nutshell I always loved to here them play would.
The AIC Unplugged special may very well be my favorite Unplugged ever (yes, even more than Nirvana).
Their unplugged session was actually awesome! 👍😎 I actually remember seeing this segment on CZcams a few years ago. Good upload!
We've seen this story 1000 times in one shape or another but it's always something I'll watch . AIC was a favorite then an they killed unplugged. Dirt best album of that era . Rip Layne an Starr.
I was at AICs 2nd acoustic set in Milwaukee at the Rave 2007.
Mad respect for William.
Shut up
AIC has to be the band you've covered most on this channel
As it should be.
Also watch the Gibson interview with Jerry Cantrell. A full history in his own words. He is without a doubt the most solid and talented player and writer to ever come out of Seattle.
That Gibson interview was amazing. Jerry is very talented and very cordial at the same time. I'd love to hang out with him for an afternoon!
I was blown away the first time I saw the full show on DVD. Absolutely legendary and probably the most heartfelt performance I’ve ever seen from a rock band period. All those songs got me through some really dark times as well. It was pure art. No gimmicks. Alice at their full potential. It’s so emotional that sometimes it’s hard to watch the whole thing. All of them are so talented.
“Layne had to hide his scars and years of drug abuse, and jerry had a belly ache”
Good video. Thumb up. I've got this on DVD/CD. One of my favorite 'Live Albums' & most favorite MTV Unplugged set.
Loved their MTV gig
I'm so mad at myself for not going to their show in Kansas city last month. Would have been my first time. I hope they come back. I know they're getting old
You'll have time...they still had pretty big hits after Layne's death,and Cantrell seems pretty happy to keep touring all these years.
Oh don't you worrie brother...Jerry has so much left give and alot of music left in him and he's nowhere near ready end Alice just yet...in fact I believe the best in the Duvall era has yet to come so don't worry about missing your opportunity...they will come back around. Jerry loves Kansas city... there is a good bit of history he has with that city. Peace and love Long Live Layne and Alice!!! 🖤🤲💙
@@nylontusk1289 ya dude. Will definitely try to see them next year
Due to that mindset, I bought a VIP package for the current tour for end of this month. Went all out on it too!!!
they still kill it live. duvall is absolutely incredible, great vocalist and its so nice to have another skilled guitarist playing live. saw them in ac 5 years ago, camden last month and going to their show at pnc in a few weeks
8:03 Yes, a song that truly "shreds" shreds acoustically. It's why I desperately want to hear acoustic versions of Nile songs, and why I consider Mozart fucking metal.
Love ur AiC videos💗 please do more🙏
One of the best shows they ever did and one of the best moments of the movement
This was easily the best of the unplugged performances. I can't even think of a second place
Poor Layne. He needed someone willing to walk through the fire to keep him here. He definitely had people that loved him all the way. Don't get me wrong. He had hit bottom but he didn't have anyone willing to jump down in the shit and pull him up out of it.
3 weeks. Three. Weeks. That's how long he was in that room rotting. I'm an addict and have pushed people away. I am very good at it. Thing is I have a couple of people that are really good at not being pushed. He didn't have that. Fuck man. I mean when life gets going its hard. It's real hard. And when you got someone like me that makes your soul heavy because we are so self destructive it's too easy to just walk away and let things go their natural way. If you don't have that person or 2 willing to tear their own heart out to put it in you then you end up in a hole. Poor Layne.
None of that is saying he didn't have people willing to suffer for him. People did that for him for years. He just needed it a little longer. Layne needed real help.
It's ok now though. No more pain. No more bone deep aches. No more of that for him. He suffered but now he's ok. Miss you Layne.
You can see the horrible pain in Layne's face and eyes. It's so heart breaking seeing a person suffer like that. His demons got the best of him but he left us with masterpiece after masterpiece. I will always be thankful for Layne's music cause it got me through my darkest days. Rest in peace Layne and Mike. ALICE IN CHAINS WILL LIVE ON FOREVER
I love how much you love AIC. It makes these videos more significant
From almost disaster to a masterpiece. Still wish to this day we could’ve gotten a Soundgarden unplugged
Love Soundgarden, but when I try to picture a Soundgarden unplugged, it just doesn't seem like it would work that well. Even with a song like "Black Hole Sun", the heavy bridge part, the way it hangs in the air, seems like an integral part of the song. "Fell on Black Days" and "Head Down" would work, but I can't think of enough other good candidates for a full set.
Chris did an acoustic version of like a stone and fell on black days for sure. Check em out if you haven't heard.
@@forcetheedges the way every other big grunge band made it work, I doubt Soundgarden couldn’t have. There’s songs in each of the other unplugged’s that I assumed wouldn’t have sounded good but the genius of each band made it work.
Seasons... 🙂
Technically, they did, just not MTV Unplugged
They opened for Kiss in Detroit and killed it RIPLayne!
Hey man! Nice to see how popular you have gotten! I remember back before you changed your pfp. Cool to see your content and video style has remained mostly the same!
Honestly, I'm grateful that both this album and Mad Season Above exist (both live and the studio version). Layne Staley gave an insurmountable performance in these two albums despite his declining health with addiction. It's subjective, but I firmly believe he's one of, if not the GREATEST vocalist ever; his octave, vibrato, and power were otherworldly! He deserves far more recognition and consideration for his raw talent.
My all-time favorite band, singer(s) and guitarist. Ever since the first ten seconds of Facelift! What a gift, thank you!
I bought the AIC Unplugged CD in 1996 and i thought it was the 2nd-best Unplugged album. 26 years later I still think the same.
Alice might be the only band to go no.1 as an album and not even tour to gain hype
Hands down the best unplugged album.
Great work
Great video.
Thanks for this, another channel did this last week and left out soooooo much. 🤘AIC
RIP Layne 🙏
I love the background music you have for this video, is there a way I can find that track?
The whole unplugged set was just fkng tremendously legendary my favorite unplugged set from all bands that done it even over nirvana not saying that I didn’t like all of the other bands that have done it just AIC was my favorite
Again, don't do drugs. Not even weed. Stick to coffee and get hooked on good things, like painting, music, working out, etc
Hash is the way
Weed > caffeine
Caffeine is way worse for you than weed
@@LoungeLizard_33 says who? You? Lmao thanks for the laugh bud
@@Marco-717 LOL okay man
Best ever live recording from any band!
4:39 concern and awe in Jerry Cantrells face there, it's a heartbreaking still
My first AIC album, all the way back from 2003!!! I love how they included heavier stuff like "Sludge Factory." And hearing those basslines with flatwound/tapewound strings really adds resonance that was unheard in the original studio recordings. And supposedly, Layne was borderline in withdrawals cuz he took just enough of his stuff to keep him from being sick. What an amazing voice and frontman!!!!
Rest well Layne and Mike, and others!!!!
Jason Ross from Seven Mary 3 was there...
He told me Layne was having issues and Jerry was getting frustrated. It took a dozen takes
RIP Layne!
I love all your alice in chains videos,
Thanks
It was most definitely, on the front of Mike's bass 😎. AIC fan for life.
Literally fell asleep to the Frogs performance last night
IMO the greatest live recording of all time.
I always get so sad when I see or think of Layne. He was such an amazing talent and to think he just flushed it all away just breaks my heart. RIP man... You are truly missed!
That's the best Unplugged of all time. It actually produced the best versions of those songs ever heard. As troubled as it seemed it came across quite rehearsed, nearly flawless imho
I watch this performance every time it gets played again. It hits the same every time.
Sad that Soundgarden never got an unplugged
RIP Layne
I would say; After this performance, grunge was officially dead. As soon they walked of that stage grunge was dead
I could listen to Jerry laugh for days..
The best things are always on the verge of complete disaster
I was there for the taping of the show
You've covered the making of *'Dirt' & 'Unplugged' by Alice In Chains.* Do all the albums!
I’m sooooo glad that Alice caved to do an “Unplugged” session for MTV! Their’s will forever be my favorite ❤️
Definately the best MTV Unplugged ever. Lane had just enough to show off his amazing singing, so impressive.
on january 7 1994 they played an acoustic show unannounced in LA and got booed off 😢their next show was over 2 years later at the MTV unplugged
Best Mtvs Unplugged
This album has been making me cry since I was 14.
There was a ton of emotion and feelings flowing during that show. Unfortunately layne was dying in front of everyone's eyes.
Good lord. Lars has a pod cast? Christ is it 12 hours long? That dude can talk and talk talk
Se houver uma máquina do tempo, não quero ir ao futuro, queria ver este espetáculo aí vivo e poder conseguir Abraçar Layne Stanley, Mark lenang Scott Weiland Chris Cornell,que saudades
Guess I'll have to cut Lars some slack. He appeared to be a thoughtful person there for a second. But then I've always loved Alice. Metaleaka, eeeeeeh
What a performance. This was the sum of 4 parts making something whole. The Nirvana one and this one is 1A and 1B to me.
The drummer concept of not playing it right then everyone turns up the monitors is exactly what happened to Pearl Jam
I hope you are peace Layne. Rest easy.
That set is haunting
Great whites unplugged session was also one of the very best ! Mark Kendall and jack Russel absolutely nailed it !
seen a live performance where my man was going through it. I’m talking breaking down on stage and getting on both knees and just talking non sense as in making noises. He also had a moment where he just laid down for a solid three minutes. I hated seeing him like that and there so much that happened in his life to why he had fallen to such a crutch.
I don’t think he was a great influence. Don’t get me a wrong; a god on the mic.
I couldn’t listen to anybody singing Alice In Chains other than Jerry alone or with the full Og band. Layne had a gift and who knows when we’ll get another voice like that and even if we do it’s not gonna be the same. Man such a shame that he left us early but I’m forever grateful for the music he wrote.
My favorite song is again and head creeps.
Layne wrote both and if you just read the lyrics our boy needed help. He just wasn’t accepting it from anyone and in all interviews of AIC the band explained that he denied everything. The addiction and the help.
I can ramble on and on but it won’t mean a thing because I didn’t know and neither did any of you. Not like a friend at least.
Closest person he had though was mark lanegan and he explained the reasons of why he lost his battle to the addiction. Idk I just miss the music and miss the nostalgic feeling of going through the albums and finding a new song I’ve never heard before.
RIP to a kind and a legend.
GET BORN AGAIN
great performance.
Layne actually sings the wrong words on a song or two at the unplugged show & he was noticable high & not on weed. lol yeah Layne was one of the best vocalist ever! 🤘🤘🤘
Love aic plugged or unplugged
Mike Starr & Layne mine favorite line up. Orginal line up rule .I was crying when i watch when was orginal aired..
I saw that show back then. It was a awesome performance!
I suspect Jerry did a lot more drugs than he lets on; when he says he was feeling rough "by my own hand," I don't think he's talking about a hot dog.
He drank a lot