Kurt and Layne – By Allan Raible

19 years ago today, we lost Kurt Cobain.  11 years ago today, we lost Layne Staley.  Two men lost before their time.  Two men in a lot of pain and a lot of trouble.  One, I considered one of my musical heroes, changing my view of music forever.  The other was less of an influence but still someone I looked at with great respect.

I was in high school when Kurt died.  His death hit me hard.  It was a sudden shock as a huge Nirvana fan.  It was unthinkable.  I listened to “Nevermind,” “Incesticide” and “In Utero,” as if on a continuous loop for an extended period  of my teen years.  I expected to look forward to more music from someone who had enlightened me what pop music could be.  To have him cut himself down in his prime was a true tragedy I could not fathom.  I wanted to hear what was next.  I didn’t know it was the end of the line.  Today, it still is quite upsetting.  He missed out on what could’ve been a bright future and we missed his now absent potential output. 

I was an adult when Layne died.  I listened to him less than Kurt, but nevertheless, he still stood large among the Seattle-grunge luminaries.  His death was sadly less of a surprise.  It was as if he withered and wasted away for a number of years.  He’d faded a little from public consciousness at the time of his death. At that time, Alice In Chains hadn’t released a proper studio album in seven years. And yet, I remember during my teen years being impressed by his versatility.  He had a very different approach than Kurt.  I remember being impressed by the many intricate sonic layers of “I Stay Away,” whereas Kurt was able to make something really brutal come out like a pop song.  Layne had a more traditional, brooding approach. 

Both men managed to get groundbreaking music on Top Forty radio. Both men exuded angst. Both men used their music as mouthpieces to spell out their pain and their struggles.  Both men were ultimately done in by their demons.  Both men are legends who deserve the artistic respect of generations to come.  Both men should still be here.  We are weaker and sadder in their absence.