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“I think it's gonna rain when I die”

It is with great sorrow that I write this at this moment. As you may, or may not know, Layne Staley of Alice In Chains was found dead in his house this weekend (April 19). With his passing, he becomes one more rock star to add to the gigantic list of his dead peers. This is another consequence of the evils of drug use and/or addiction. Fans of Layne and Alice In Chains, have known since the early 90’s, that there was an ongoing battle with heroin. Many of us fans were hoping that it could be overcome, and for awhile, it seemed that perhaps the addiction was in check. We were willing to sacrifice new Alice In Chains material to ensure the safety of one of its key members. There was always hope, that perhaps one day, a reunion would see the light of day. The death of a band would gladly replace the death of a musician.

As is often the case with drugs, overdoses happen, but often do nothing to curb the addiction. Such is the case with Layne. He overdosed on heroin in 1994, even after seeing fellow musicians dropping like flies from the very same demon that was being stuck into his veins. If you weren’t a fan of Alice In Chains, you wouldn’t have known the pain, agony, suffering, and utter despair of Layne’s lyrics regarding drug use and it’s effects. Numerous songs throughout the years have dealt with these issues, even dealing with rehab and counselling. A lot of people do not feel sorry that another drug addict is dead, because they believe it is their fault. It is their fault, to an extent. We cannot blame them for being addicted (although it is their fault that they became addicted) because we know what power drugs have. The public seems to shove aside the help aspect, choosing to focus on the reason why the help is needed.

It is always a tragedy to see an incredible talent perish in the twilight of their lives. This is an all too familiar scenario. It will not change tomorrow, it will not change ten years down the road. People in this profession are destined to this fate, and we can do nothing but mourn their deaths when it is already too late. Why do fans feel great sadness when these events happen? Although we have never met those that make the music that we love, we feel a connection to them, simply based on the emotion that we are able to feel in their - our - music. We experience their ups and downs, good, bad, and everything in between.

Unfortunately, Layne is now just another number in a growing statistic. He joins the likes of Jimi Hendrix - 27; Janis Joplin - 27; Kurt Cobain - 27 (Nirvana); Shannon Hoon - 28 (Blind Melon); Kristen Pfaff - 27 (Hole); Jonathan Melvoin - 34 (Smashing Pumpkins); Dwayne Goettel - 31 (Skinny Puppy); Andrew Wood - 24 (Mother Love Bone); Jim Morrison - 27 (The Doors); Brad Nowell - 28 (Sublime); Hillel Slovak - 26 (Red Hot Chili Peppers); Sid Vicious - 21 (Sex Pistols) and countless others who lost their battles with drugs. Look at the ages of these people - and feel sad for the lack of life that was lived by them - and wait for news of the next drug-related death (Scott Weiland, I’m looking in your direction).

I suppose a fitting end to this, would be to include some lyrics written by Layne and Alice In Chains, and quotes from Layne himself, that perhaps capture some of the emotion of his struggles.

“I don't know much about heroin, but I wanna try just about everything once before I die. Get stoned, daily survival in the war zone … I don't care what you say, or what you do, chemical addiction is getting rid of you” (Chemical Addiction -1989)

“What's my drug of choice? Well, what have you got? I don't go Broke, and I do it a lot … You can't understand a user's mind. But try, with your books and degrees. If you let yourself go, and open your mind, I'll bet you'd be doing like me, and it ain't so bad” (Junkhead – 1991)

"When somebody starts asking me if I'm an addict or how messed up I am or just some stupid stuff like that, it's like 'man do you have a brain at all?' Aside from a brain, do you have any feelings at all? What if I started asking these questions? This is really personal stuff"!

"I made a stupid decision and now I'm paying for it.”

“My bad habits aren't my title. My strengths and my talent are my title."

Rest In Peace, you will be greatly missed. For the love you gave us, we are all eternally grateful, your memory shall live on forever in those who love music, artistry and integrity. At the same time, fuck you for being so stupid. Goodbye from a devoted fan of many years.

Description
“I think it's gonna rain when I die”

It is with great sorrow that I write this at this moment. As you may, or may not know, Layne Staley of Alice In Chains was found dead in his house this weekend (April 19). With his passing, he becomes one more rock star to add to the gigantic list of his dead peers. This is another consequence of the evils of drug use and/or addiction. Fans of Layne and Alice In Chains, have known since the early 90’s, that there was an ongoing battle with heroin. Many of us fans were hoping that it could be overcome, and for awhile, it seemed that perhaps the addiction was in check. We were willing to sacrifice new Alice In Chains material to ensure the safety of one of its key members. There was always hope, that perhaps one day, a reunion would see the light of day. The death of a band would gladly replace the death of a musician.

As is often the case with drugs, overdoses happen, but often do nothing to curb the addiction. Such is the case with Layne. He overdosed on heroin in 1994, even after seeing fellow musicians dropping like flies from the very same demon that was being stuck into his veins. If you weren’t a fan of Alice In Chains, you wouldn’t have known the pain, agony, suffering, and utter despair of Layne’s lyrics regarding drug use and it’s effects. Numerous songs throughout the years have dealt with these issues, even dealing with rehab and counselling. A lot of people do not feel sorry that another drug addict is dead, because they believe it is their fault. It is their fault, to an extent. We cannot blame them for being addicted (although it is their fault that they became addicted) because we know what power drugs have. The public seems to shove aside the help aspect, choosing to focus on the reason why the help is needed.

It is always a tragedy to see an incredible talent perish in the twilight of their lives. This is an all too familiar scenario. It will not change tomorrow, it will not change ten years down the road. People in this profession are destined to this fate, and we can do nothing but mourn their deaths when it is already too late. Why do fans feel great sadness when these events happen? Although we have never met those that make the music that we love, we feel a connection to them, simply based on the emotion that we are able to feel in their - our - music. We experience their ups and downs, good, bad, and everything in between.

Unfortunately, Layne is now just another number in a growing statistic. He joins the likes of Jimi Hendrix - 27; Janis Joplin - 27; Kurt Cobain - 27 (Nirvana); Shannon Hoon - 28 (Blind Melon); Kristen Pfaff - 27 (Hole); Jonathan Melvoin - 34 (Smashing Pumpkins); Dwayne Goettel - 31 (Skinny Puppy); Andrew Wood - 24 (Mother Love Bone); Jim Morrison - 27 (The Doors); Brad Nowell - 28 (Sublime); Hillel Slovak - 26 (Red Hot Chili Peppers); Sid Vicious - 21 (Sex Pistols) and countless others who lost their battles with drugs. Look at the ages of these people - and feel sad for the lack of life that was lived by them - and wait for news of the next drug-related death (Scott Weiland, I’m looking in your direction).

I suppose a fitting end to this, would be to include some lyrics written by Layne and Alice In Chains, and quotes from Layne himself, that perhaps capture some of the emotion of his struggles.

“I don't know much about heroin, but I wanna try just about everything once before I die. Get stoned, daily survival in the war zone … I don't care what you say, or what you do, chemical addiction is getting rid of you” (Chemical Addiction -1989)

“What's my drug of choice? Well, what have you got? I don't go Broke, and I do it a lot … You can't understand a user's mind. But try, with your books and degrees. If you let yourself go, and open your mind, I'll bet you'd be doing like me, and it ain't so bad” (Junkhead – 1991)

"When somebody starts asking me if I'm an addict or how messed up I am or just some stupid stuff like that, it's like 'man do you have a brain at all?' Aside from a brain, do you have any feelings at all? What if I started asking these questions? This is really personal stuff"!

"I made a stupid decision and now I'm paying for it.”

“My bad habits aren't my title. My strengths and my talent are my title."

Rest In Peace, you will be greatly missed. For the love you gave us, we are all eternally grateful, your memory shall live on forever in those who love music, artistry and integrity. At the same time, fuck you for being so stupid. Goodbye from a devoted fan of many years.