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    Jay Bennett, Former Wilco Multi-Instrumentalist, Dies at Age 45

    • Posted on May 25th 2009 12:45AM by Benjy Eisen
    • Comments (86)
    Print |  Email More
    Jay Bennett -- multi-instrumentalist and member of Wilco for seven years until his departure in 2001 -- passed away in his sleep on Sunday morning of unknown causes. He was 45 years old. A friend and collaborator, musician Edward Burch, told the Chicago Sun-Times that an autopsy is under way to determine the cause.

    As is the case with many musicians, even those who are relatively successful, Bennett did not have health insurance. His existing health problems recently became public via his MySpace blog, where he explained that a hip injury, incurred in the '90s as the result of a stage fall was going to require surgery as soon as possible. "It turns out that these types of injuries don't really heal themselves," he wrote.

    In the beginning of May, shortly after that post, Bennett sued former bandmate and Wilco leader Jeff Tweedy for breach of contract and unpaid royalties. Bennett sought to recoup $50,000, much of which, he claimed, was owed for his appearance in the Wilco documentary 'I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.'

    That film focused on the 2000-'01 recording of Wilco's pivotal album, 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,' and famously captured the growing rift between Bennett and Tweedy. The falling out between the two musicians ended with Bennett's bitter departure from the band. After Wilco, Bennett partnered with Burch for 2002's 'The Palace at 4 a.m.' (which they released as a duo), and though Bennett continued to release solo albums, he began to concentrate on his talents as a producer. His credits include work with Sheryl Crow, Tim Easton and Garrison Starr.

    Bennett's contributions to Wilco's first five albums remain a vital part of the band's catalog and his work at large will certainly live on.

    Download Wilco Songs

    Dearly Departed Musicians

      Dolla, May 18: The Atlanta-based rapper, whose real name is Roderick Anthony Burton II, was gunned down outside a Los Angeles mall. Burton's publicist told reporters he was waiting at a valet stand after a shopping trip when a gunman shot him. The The 'Make a Toast' star was 21. A suspect is in custody.

      Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

      Stephen Bruton: The guitarist and songwriter, who worked with the likes of Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson, died from complications of throat cancer in May 2009. He was 60.

      Ebet Roberts/Redferns , Getty Images

      Ean Evans: The Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist died in May 2009 after what the band called "a valiant battle with an aggressive form of cancer."

      Rusty Russell , Getty Images

      Vern Gosdin, April 29: The country hit-maker, best known for songs like 'I Can Tell By the Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight)' and 'I'm Still Crazy,' died in Nashville from complications due to a stroke.

      Chuck Krall / Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

      Rev. Timothy Wright, April 23, 2009:The two-time Grammy-nominated gospel singer died following a July car crash that took the lives of his wife and his grandson.

      Mark Q. Murray, AP

      David "Pop" Winans, April 9, 2009: The gospel music patriarch -- BeBe and CeCe are his kids -- was twice nominated for Grammys, in 1989 for his album with wife Delores, pictured, and again in 1999 for a solo album. He died at a Nashville hospice, seven months after suffering a heart attack and stroke.

      Arnold Turner, WireImage / Getty Images

      Bud Shank, April 2, 2009: The alto saxophonist and flutist died at age 82. He was most famous for his work with acts like the Mamas and the Papas and his flute work can be heard on their song 'California Dreamin'.'

      GAB Archive / Redferns / Getty Images

      Hal Durham, March 29, 2009: He was a fixture on the Grand Ole Opry stage, working at the famed country music institution for 32 years. He was 77.

      Donnie Beauchamp, Gaylord Entertainment / AP

      Dan Seals, March 25, 2009: The singer, who scored a number of pop and country hits, died at 61 of leukemia. Seals was half of the pop duo, England Dan and John Ford Coley, best known for the ballad, 'I'd Really Love to See You Tonight.'

      Beth Gwinn, Retna

      Uriel Jones, March 24, 2009: One of the original members of the Funk Brothers, a Motown group that played with Marvin Gaye and The Temptations, Jones died after suffering complications from a heart attack. He was 74.

      Tabatha Fireman, Redferns / Getty Images

    • Filed under: News, R.I.P.
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    Reader Comments(1 of 5)

    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    wghedgerhat 5-25-2009

    Rest in Peace

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    mmorris215at 5-25-2009

    It's a shame he had no health insurance. He could've seeked free medical but probably was too ashamed. It's sad. I hope he goes to heaven.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    Dodget9906at 5-25-2009

    We are assuming he didn't attempt to utilize free healthcare. That system can be just as flawed in it's services as well. I should know, I have the same problem myself. I am a 45 year old individual who has been trying to put himself through college, and have recently developed an array of health issues that have seemingly come to a head, and have put me in a situation where I am unable to work anymore. I have been struggling with what they have termed Peripheral Neuropathy and Vertigo. Several attempts to acquire healthcare through the public assistance system have gone bust for me. My useless family doctor does little to help me, saying to go to the hospital ER since I lack insurance. I have been to the ER in two separate hospitals, and they just treat me for their diagnoses, and release me to follow up with my family physician, which I can't do since I have no insurance. Even though these ER doctors are diagnosing me with conditions that need definite follow up care, I cannot get this because I have no health insurance. And my condition will not allow me to work, based even on these doctors own diagnoses. I'm attempting to see if I can get on disability, so I can get both health coverage and the treatment for my condition I desperately need. If that goes bust, guess I'll wind up penniless and on the street, and end up dead possibly like Mr. Bennett there. Welcome to America, land of selfish, uncaring people!

    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    bradpietrzykat 5-25-2009

    DodgeT9906... send your phone number to me bradpietrzyk@aol.com and I will call you about what to doregarding your situation. Peace

    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    lambogini2501at 5-25-2009

    he was a good musician he rocked the bass i hope he went to heaven you will be missed

    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    Dianneat 5-26-2009

    Any hospital has to treat a person even if its charity so do not let them turn any one away remember the squealie wheel gets the grease show up in ER everyday if you have to good luck everyone deserves health care

    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    Rickyat 5-26-2009

    Maybe he should have used some of his money from the band to buy his health insurance, like the rest of the working Americans. Wake up people nothing is for free, some one has to pay. I'll pay for mine you pay for yours. If you don't like it go to Canada, they have socialized medicine and it sucks.

    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    Dodget9906at 5-26-2009

    Dianne, I know what the law says about treatment at the ER, but it seems our wonderful healthcare professionals have developed ways to word things in such a manner that they just simply shovel you out the door with minimal treatment. Believe me, I was that squeakie wheel on my second visit, but it didn't stop them from basically doing the same thing the second time as the first. They diagnosed my problem, did a CAT Scan, and sent me out the door with instructions to follow up with my primary doctor, who won't touch me to begin with because I have no insurance. Short of paying out of pocket, which I cannot do, I am SOL.

    Also, Brad, I am not about to hand my phone number out to some complete strange on line. Any knowledge you may have about how to handle my situatioin can be easily forwarded to my e-mail address, and I will utilize it as I see fit with my situation.

    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    Sandraat 5-25-2009

    He is playing in the Big Band in the Sky....

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    Nickyat 5-25-2009

    he was one of the greatest bassists of all time! we will never forget you! R.I.P. Jay

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    floydchristopherat 5-25-2009

    He didn't play bass, he played guitar and keyboards. Dingleberry.

    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    Timat 5-25-2009

    sure looks like he is playin a bass in the picture...dingleberry!

    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    skier311at 5-25-2009

    Sir,that is a totally unrelated musician. The commenter was speaking of Jay Bennet who did played mainly guitar and keyboards.

    vote downvote upReportLowest Ranked

    jerryraywat 5-25-2009

    bump bump bump another one bites the dust.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    Rickat 5-25-2009

    How is Jerry the jerk-off doing?

    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    jerryraywat 5-25-2009

    Sandra
    at 5-25-2009He is playing in the Big Band in the Sky....
    WRONG!!

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    jbjg24mat 5-25-2009

    gone but not forgotten !!

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportLowest Ranked

    tresteb342at 5-25-2009

    umm who is this loser never heard of him greatest basest ever not even close try Randy rhodes, gene simmions, Geezer butler or even a dozen others this guy played for a crap band no one ever heard of or remembers. Not putting the guy down or anything but no one ever heard of Wilco hell had to do a wiki to find a song that they did.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    dsbronxat 5-25-2009

    Hey Jerk Off,
    How can you say that no one has ever heard of Wilco? They are only one of the most important rock bands in music today. Your minimal intellect probably can't go beyond the brain dead hard rock you mention. Gene Simmons is an awful musician and anyone with the slightest knowledge of music knows this. Jay Bennett may not have been a household name, but his role in Wilco was unmistakable.

    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    JOEat 5-25-2009

    "umm who is this loser never heard of him greatest basest ever not even close try Randy rhodes, gene simmions"
    Hey ASSWIPE, Randy Rhodes isn't a bassist and Gene Simmons is one of the most OVERRATED bassists of all time.
    Gene simmons is your average Joe shmoe bassist.

    12345 Next >

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