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

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    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.


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