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."
Oo, watch where you spit.
I'd advise you wait until it's over.
Uh, then you got hit, and you shoulda known better.
And we die young.
Faster we run.
Down, down, down you're rollin'.
Watch the blood float in the muddy sewer.
Uh, take another hit and bury your brother.
And we die young.
Faster we run.
-------------
What a waste. Layne Staley, RIP.
At least he figured that out.
Care not for the men who wonder
straw that broke your back, you're under
cast all them aside who cares
empty eyes and dead end stares
dont you know that none are blind
to the lie, and you think I dont find
what you hide
what in gods name have you done?
stick your arm for some real fun
for the horse youve grown much fonder
than for me, that I dont ponder
as the hair of one who bit you
smiling bite your own self too
and I think that youre not blind
to the ones you left behind
I'll be here
what in gods name have you done?
stick your arm for some real fun
so be yearning all your life
twisting turning like a knife
now you know the reasons why
cant get high or you will die
or youll die
what in gods name have you done?
stick your arm for some real fun
so your sickness weighs a ton
and gods name is smack for some
Artist: Alice In Chains
Album: Dirt (1992)
Song: Rooster
Ain't Found A Way To
Kill Me Yet
Eyes Burn With Stinging
Sweat
Seems Every Path Leads Me To Nowhere
Wife And Kids And Household Pet
Army Green Was No Safe Bet
The Bullets Scream To Me From Somewhere
Here They Come To Snuff The Rooster
Yeah Here Come The Rooster
You Know He Ain't Gonna Die
Walkin' Tall Machine Gun Man
They Spit On Me In My Homeland
Gloria Sent Me Pictures
Of My Boy
Got My Pills 'Gainst
Mosquito Death
My Buddy's Breathin'
His Dyin' Breath
Oh God Please Won't You Help
Me Make It Through
Damn fool was 10 years younger than me...had the world by the tail once.
--------
Alice In Chains
"No Excuses"
Jar Of Flies
It's alright
There comes a time
Got no patience to search
For peace of mind
Layin' low
Want to take it slow
No more hiding or
Disguising truths I've sold
Everyday it's something
Hits me all so cold
Find me sittin' by myself
No excuses, then I know
It's okay
Had a bad day
Hands are bruised from
Breaking rocks all day
Drained and blue
I bleed for you
You think it's funny, well
You're drowning in it too
Yeah, it's fine
We'll walk down the line
Leave our rain, a cold
Trade for warm sunshine
You my friend
I will defend
And if we change, well I
Love you anyway
Perhaps his early, lonely death will convince the people he's influenced not to follow the same path he did.
I doubt those who are drawn to the drug scene will wise up. The deaths of Jimi, Janis, Jim Morrison, all far greater talents than Layne Stanley, didn't have much effect on curbing the appetite for narcotics. People will always choose to medicate rather than face their problems, sadly.
Did She Call My Name?
I Think It's Gonna Rain
When I Die
Was It Something I Said, Held Against Me?
Ain't No Life On The Run, Slowly Climbing
Caught In Ice So She Stares, Stares At Nothing
I Can Help Her But Won't, Now She Hates Me
She Won't Let Me Hide
She Don't Want Me To Cry
Will She Keep On The Ground, Trying To Ground Me
Slowly Forgive My Lie, Lying To Save Me
Could She Love Me Again, Or Will She Hate Me
Prob'ly Not, I Know Why, Can't Explain Me
Did She Call My Name?
I Think It's Gonna Rain
When I Die
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