ALICE IN CHAINS‘ MTV Unplugged, released in 1996, is widely cherished by fans of the series that aired on the television channel. The band’s melancholic sound blended seamlessly with the intimate setting, resulting in a captivating performance. However, one member endured significant suffering.
Guitarist and co-vocalist Jerry Cantrell discussed the performance on the Broken Record podcast, revealing that he was seriously ill at the time, which left him feeling apprehensive.
“I was sick as a dog,” he said (as transcribed by Ultimate Classic Rock. “I was not feeling well. And if you look very closely, there’s a trash can at my feet for me to vomit in.”
“When the light went green and the cameras went on and we started playing, I got a little adrenaline rush,” he added. “So that turned out to be one of the greatest shows we’ve ever played. I was feeling like f**king s**t until it started, and then soon as the show was over, I went back to feeling like s**t and back on the IV.”
MTV Unplugged marked ALICE IN CHAINS‘ first show in two and a half years, following a period of inactivity largely due to Layne Staley‘s struggles with addiction. Staley‘s visibly weakened state during the performance made it a poignant moment, foreshadowing his death in 2002 and becoming one of his final public appearances.
Mike Inez‘s bass bore the message “Friends Don’t Let Friends Get Friends Haircuts…”, a playful jab at the recently short-haired members of METALLICA in the audience.
Unplugged debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and was released as a home video. Both the album and video have earned RIAA certifications, platinum and gold respectively.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.