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

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.


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

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kdawg

Being a guitarist myself, I'd say most 6+ string guitars can also play the base.

June 24 2009 at 12:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to kdawg's comment
ohmwrecker

But can they spell it?

August 30 2009 at 6:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
moahadib

No one reads; if any one of you actually listened to wilco, and read the above article you would know the following; (a)He was a MULTI-instrumentalist, he played bass, guitar, keyboards, some wind instruments, knew how to run a studio (b)just beacuse you in a known band doesn't mean you're making bank (c) I agree with Dodget9906; the health care system is run by money and Ins; not the hippocratic oath, doctors are Money Junkies! (c) yes, he's in the sky!

May 27 2009 at 3:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tess

I work in a hospital and still have to pay a large sum of my paycheck to cover health coverage, no discount on meds or any healthcare. I go without MUCH in order to cover my son and my healthcare insurance. Sad fact is many people abuse the system and ruin it for everyone.

May 26 2009 at 10:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mike

AOL

Please follow up witth us when the autopsy results are in.

May 26 2009 at 8:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Teri

Dec. 2009? what am I missing? Have I lost an entire year?

May 26 2009 at 8:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bldrbrook

How sad.....I also had a hip injury as a result of a car accident. It went undiagnosed for one year then ended up having two surgeries with the last one being the most successful...so far. The pain was terrible. He must have suffered greatly, especially without insurance to cover proper care. In a great country like this healthcare should accessible to all!!

May 26 2009 at 8:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
liz

terrible, but when one does not have health insurance it is so hard for them and time consuming. The united states needs to help out more. many families are without jobs and health insurance. they need to make people aware of help they can possibly get. stop feeding and taking care of the immigrants and start taking care of the american people. People need to make a stand and see that the americans are the ones in need and get the proper care, health and money.

May 26 2009 at 7:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
nowandjen

People, a young man with gifts and unresolved life dilemmas died an early death. That in and of itself is tragic. Golden rule. Let love rule.

May 26 2009 at 6:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
twann9852

When a Kiss fan says he's never heard of Wilco the Wilco fans give a smile and sigh of relief. Thank God it's not Tweedy.

May 26 2009 at 5:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gene

I'm surprised that I didn't see Bo Diddley in the list of singing greats who have recently passed. We used to be neighbors and he was always working and playing with the kids at school.

May 26 2009 at 4:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply