Remembering Layne Staley
So, when you die what stays behind? I can think of a few things: memories, accomplishments, things you have created, basically places where you left your mark (either physically or emotionally). Unfortunately over time almost all of those are washed away or become meaningless. There are plenty of examples to the contrary, such as people who changed the lives and perspective of many, who in turn did the same or raised families based on those values, etc. However, for the most part, even many of your creations will disappear or be taken by others. This was never more poignant for me than Sunday night at the Alice in Chains concert here in town.
Artists who touch public culture with art or music, however, have some level of continuity from the grave. You can listen to someone's music from long ago and feel what they felt or know what they sing about. You can look at their painting and be moved by what they convey. In a way you can connect with them from the grave. Except in Layne Staley's case where they replace you with a joke of a guy who steals your voice from the grave.
In Layne's case even his musical legacy has been taken from him. Alice in Chains co-founder Jerry Cantrell started the band back up recently and has gone on tour. Only now there is someone else singing Staley's songs, and singing them with a very similar voice. Only it's not him, and herein lies my problem with this situation. To
have someone else sing is one thing, to have someone exactly mimic Staley's voice is another. Though they played a tribute video to Staley while setting up the acoustic part of the set, and Cantrell made a few comments about him, Staley's work has been taken from him in death. It's a shame, whether you like Alice in Chains or not, Staley deserved better. In fact he always has.
I was outraged back 4 or 5 years ago when he died in the same week as "One-Eye Lopez" of TLC and no one paid notice. A B level singer in a C band that pressed no musical boundaries, made predictable pop hits, and basically meant nothing, got weeks of press while Layne Staley's death went unnoticed. There was literally 3 weeks of "Left Eye" stories in the papers and online while the media turned a blind eye to Staley. I had to go to the band's website to find the news after hearing rumors from someone two days later. Ridiculous. However this isn't a discussion on media coverage of celebrity deaths and such. In reality I'd rather people be more informed about the world and country than such things...
At any rate, Staley is gone, though his band goes on. I find it a disservice to him to continue on with a soundalike vocalist.
Artists who touch public culture with art or music, however, have some level of continuity from the grave. You can listen to someone's music from long ago and feel what they felt or know what they sing about. You can look at their painting and be moved by what they convey. In a way you can connect with them from the grave. Except in Layne Staley's case where they replace you with a joke of a guy who steals your voice from the grave.In Layne's case even his musical legacy has been taken from him. Alice in Chains co-founder Jerry Cantrell started the band back up recently and has gone on tour. Only now there is someone else singing Staley's songs, and singing them with a very similar voice. Only it's not him, and herein lies my problem with this situation. To
have someone else sing is one thing, to have someone exactly mimic Staley's voice is another. Though they played a tribute video to Staley while setting up the acoustic part of the set, and Cantrell made a few comments about him, Staley's work has been taken from him in death. It's a shame, whether you like Alice in Chains or not, Staley deserved better. In fact he always has.I was outraged back 4 or 5 years ago when he died in the same week as "One-Eye Lopez" of TLC and no one paid notice. A B level singer in a C band that pressed no musical boundaries, made predictable pop hits, and basically meant nothing, got weeks of press while Layne Staley's death went unnoticed. There was literally 3 weeks of "Left Eye" stories in the papers and online while the media turned a blind eye to Staley. I had to go to the band's website to find the news after hearing rumors from someone two days later. Ridiculous. However this isn't a discussion on media coverage of celebrity deaths and such. In reality I'd rather people be more informed about the world and country than such things...
At any rate, Staley is gone, though his band goes on. I find it a disservice to him to continue on with a soundalike vocalist.
posted by Andy at 12:27 PM
2 Comments:
I remember thinking the same thing and even sent MTV a long email about how ridiculous it was that Layne was maybe mentioned on a quick news clip and left eye lopez was just everywhere it just goes to show you what MTV is all about. I still hate MTV to this day because of that. This is the first article I have read that stated the obvious. To Layne my friend.
As long as vocal is imitated we would know how Stanley was rare acctally he was superrare, so maybe it isn't so bad after all to remain people. Also I agree that is insult in a same time, but I'm trying not to look it that way. The other thing why it can't be sung "normal" is that it will sound so void. They don't have even guts to try do it different.
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