The show seemed too short, and I can remember when it was over, being really, really, REALLY sad it had ended. Even though he was likely high for that show, he sung like a true professional, belting out his words and harmonizing with lead guitarist, Jerry Cantrell, whose voice is arguably just as good as Staley’s, perhaps better. I can remember Layne reaching out and grabbing the fence, holding on for dear life as he sung his lyrics. A black curtain came up, and the band opened with Dam That River while performing behind a chain linked fence, something I had never seen before. It was July 17th, 1993, at Quonset State Airport, in North Kingstown, RI. I’d been standing on what used to be a field of grass, now dirt and sand (no pun intended) for 4 hours, at least, by that point. That is the best description of my feeling. It was like being hit over the head with the butt of a machine gun, picked up and given the coolest feeling libation you could ever consume. I’m not just referring to the instruments. My concert experience lasted just one day in 1993. Based out of Seattle, they were lighting it up on the radio, MTV and anywhere you could smell teenage angst. I can remember seeing Alice in Chains in concert. They would only play once more as a quartet before Layne’s health deteriorated to the point where the band had to stop performing as the original lineup. But the band was able to put things together, rehearse (a little) and get to New York to do this show on April 10th. He had been battling with heroin for years and was not in good shape. Staley was unfortunately struggling with drug addiction. Due to lead singer, Layne Staley’s poor health, the band did not tour in 1995 and much of 1996. Initially, Alice in Chains were reluctant to participate in MTV’s acclaimed performance show. This show always separated the men from the boys and the women from the little girls. Just as it sounds, Unplugged offered consumers an opportunity to hear and see more aggressive rock bands perform their songs, originally caked in heavy distortion, but this time in more of a stripped-down, no effects, acoustic set. Unplugged was a groundbreaking television program and unique to MTV at the time. It was recorded specifically for what was then a very popular MTV program, Unplugged. On April 10th, 1996, the members of Alice in Chains gathered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Majestic Theatre in New York to perform, and record live this small concert. This album is from a band who has several more well known, popular albums, therefore I found it important to talk specifically about this one today. And today I wanted to touch upon an incredibly underrated album that came out of Seattle in the 1990s. Now that this site and podcast are up and running and have been for some time, I get to share many of my favorite albums with you guys. We want to share our passion and we want to learn more about what we don’t know. Whether it’s music, art, sports or design, we all have a common goal. And I’ve found other people like me who are passionate and love something. I want to explore my addiction and obsession with the past.Īs I’ve grown this podcast, I’ve been lucky to talk to so many musicians and music fans across the world. I can say this passion is stronger today at 45, and it grows with each day.

My parents were deeply concerned with my obsession for rock and heavy metal. I always got that eye roll and that “I pray he grows out of this” look. Although I had a little support for my music, I was never heavily encouraged to further pursue a life in music while growing up. Sounds to some maybe a bit childish? I don’t know. For I was on a true pilgrimage to finally walk on the same ground as some of my heroes.

In fact, with exception to the rock n roll of the late 60s and the 1970s, the 90s were the greatest decade for music.Įach block through Seattle that I walked down, I had the music in my head. I will never forget the first few months I heard the incredible music that came out of this city in the late 1980s and early 1990s. I couldn’t help but smile the entire trip because it was proof, it was the “nail in the coffin”, to my argument that I am indeed still a kid. To give you all some context first, let me start with a story.Īs I was strolling through the streets of Seattle, Washington in February 2022, my first visit ever to the city overlooking Puget Sound, I was just overcome with so many emotions. I feel very passionate about this album because not many people I know talk about it. Listen to an audio version of this review by Greg

Aic mtv unplugged show