There have been many disputes over the years concerning
which of the two most fans feel was the central musical core of Alice in Chais.
To this I reply: they BOTH were.
Jerry & Layne had an expressly unique musical relationship
that could be definated as being almost symbiotic, in that in order for the band and for each of the vocalists to perform
and function properly together as a whole, two of the most vital and important parts of that whole had to be in good working
condition.
And obviously, as Layne struggle continued to escalate, the
wholeness began to break down, crack, and almost disintegrate.
But my point is this: without either Layne or Jerry, Alice
In Chains probably would have been nonexistant. And the lessons that they have passed on to us fans over the years through
their music would not have had a chance in hell of being looked upon and learned from.
IT SHOULD NOT MATTER what may or may not have actually gone
on between the two of them. That is their buisness and their business alone. What does matter is that these two individuals,
along with Sean Kinney, Mike Starr and later on Mike Inez, came together to create something truly beautiful and one of a
kind.
And for that, we should all be grateful and thankful.
