Both Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, and Layne Staley of Alice In Chains hailed out of the Seattle Grunge-Rock music scene in the 1990’s. They both played the same up and coming clubs, and warehouse district venues in Seattle. Alice In Chains exploded onto MTV in 1990 with the iconic album “Facelift”, and the even more iconic song, “Man In The Box.” Immediately following that, the band gained legions of fans, and continued their string of amazing dark, haunting Rock, well into the 1990’s. Layne Staley famously battled extreme drug issues, despite adding his raw and beautiful vocals to the influential albums “Dirt”, and “Jar Of Flies”, and their 1996 self titled album. He also recorded with members of Pearl Jam with the Mad Season project. By the late 1990’s, Layne was struggling mightily with his addictions, and had shielded himself away from his band mates and friends. In 2002, Layne was found dead at his residence, from a drug overdose. He is hailed as one of the best pure Rock vocalists of his era. And his voice and work resonate to this day.
Kurt Cobain changed Rock and Roll forever. With the explosion of one song, “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, from the monumental album ‘Nevermind.’ The band cut their teeth in the club scene in Seattle, along with Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Alice In Chains, and at the time, Mother Love Bone, who eventually evolved into Pearl Jam. Kurt’s story is well documented. His angst, troubled childhood, his amazing musical ability, his lyrics, and that sound, that changed music forever. While guiding Generation-X in the beginning of the 1990’s, Kurt also had drug demons, and became increasingly distraught with the perils of stardom, and the demands of the music industry. Sadly, Kurt ended his life in April of 1994. The Rock world suddenly stopped. His death was a shock, and is still felt today. However, Kurt left an amazing legacy.
All this week, we will honor the legacy of both Rockers, here on the X. Kurt and Layne still live here, and their music will never be forgotten.
Bahan
