I was recently asked which dead performer I missed out on seeing live. Two men from the same era came to mind instantly: Brad Nowell and Layne Staley.
When I first became aware of Sublime in 1994, Bradley Nowell had just overdosed on heroin. I was barely a fan before the opportunity to see him perform live went away.
Sixteen years later, I still listen to the albums fondly, but am also chilled to the core at times by how miserable he was with his life. The same can be said for Layne Staley. Reading lyrics to songs like "Down in a Hole" and "Angry Chair", it's painful and heart wrenching to imagine what his life must have been like, especially at the end. There is so much despair and desperation in the music of these two men. It is difficult to listen to, and hauntingly beautiful all at once. I have a strange fascination, that borders on obsessive, when it comes to rockstar junkies. But that is a blog for another day, my friends.
For the two or three of you that actually comment on these blogs, let me say in advance: I chose two contemporary artists, because I wasn't even alive yet when John Lennon was killed. I can't take some of the greats into consideration if I was too young or not in existence to attend a concert!
Who did you miss out on seeing live?
"Loneliness is not a phase
Field of pain is where I graze
Serenity is far away"
Field of pain is where I graze
Serenity is far away"
My BIG "I missed out on"s is Jeff Buckley. I can't really include Andrew Wood in that, since he was dead before I was aware...
ReplyDeleteBut Jeff Buckley. I imagine shows in my head. And strangely, in my head, they take place at The 40 Watt. I don't know why... but that's where they do. I've seen video, listened to recordings of his live shows for hours and hours. Had I actually experienced it firsthand, I think I might be a different person now.
That would've been a great show, too. His voice...wow.
ReplyDelete