Layne Staley was one of the greatest vocalists to have ever sang into a microphone or walk this earth. While some may not totally agree with the former statement; his legacy has been left and left in a huge way. While Layne did pass at a very early time for someone, the time that he did give to music surely inspired countless other bands and singers.
Alice In Chains would dismember in 1996, albeit, never officially. Layne’s demons got the best of him and the band just could not function properly. In 2002, Layne Staley would pass and this would put the veil over the original lineup of the band. Although Layne’s death never was covered as heavily as other artists; there still was a lot of content to come from when the band was active together.
This brings us to 2022 where footage has just hit the mainstream of a 1994 soundcheck featuring the original lineup. Truly, Layne sounds incredible here and it’s just so wild to see the original lineup in a new (old) light that we have never seen before just two years before calling it a day.
Take a look for yourself below and let us know what you think. The clip also features interviews at the end, which, are really great to see as well. The description says: “Alice In Chains – [Soundcheck Footage] – January 7, 1994 – Hollywood Palladium – Hollywood, CA – Acoustic benefit for Norwood Fisher of Fishbone. Only ~8miin of footage, but uncirculated. The show on Jan 7, 1994 was AIC’s only performance in 1994. I don’t have any footage beyond what is in this video (nothing from the show). VHS/Trade.”
You can also tell the video is very dated as Mike Inez makes a comment, jokingly, about kidnapping where he says “Did you see what she was wearing? She had it coming,” which obviously would not fly today.
