Jerry Cantrell recalls playing the worst show of his life in front of Eddie Van Halen: “I couldn’t wait until the gig was over”

Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains
(Image credit: Tina Korhonen/Future)

Gibson TV, the US guitar giant’s online TV network, has officially released the latest episode of Icons, featuring Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell.

The 75-minute video is a fascinating insight into the electric guitar player’s long and storied career, but one moment in particular wraps up his highest and lowest points in one fateful gig - Alice in Chains’ first night opening up for Van Halen back in 1991.

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Michael Astley-Brown
Editor-in-Chief, GuitarWorld.com

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.