Jay Bennett's Family Issues Letter to Fans After His Death

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    As previously reported, ex-Wilco multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett passed away on Monday, in his sleep. While the cause of death is still publicly unknown, his family sent an email out to his mailing list on Wednesday morning, hoping to clear up some potential rumors ... and to end things on a high note.

    The email states that "Jay was in a really good place these past few years" and that, contrary to common perception, he looked back on his seven years with Wilco both fondly and proudly. He was knee-deep in work on another solo album and was also taking graduate classes to pursue his "umpteenth degree" at the time of his death.

    Most notably, the message clears up any misconceptions about Bennett's battle with Wilco, which he took public earlier this month (in an attempt to recoup money he claimed he was rightfully owed). According to the email, the lawsuit was four years in the making, was very emotional and stressing for Bennett, and had nothing to do with his impending hip surgery. In a post that he wrote on his MySpace blog in April, Bennett revealed that he did not have health insurance and was trying to scrape together money for long-overdue and urgently needed hip surgery.

    The email ends with a message of love. Literally. While many fans have paid homage to Bennett this week by pulling out their favorite Bennett-era Wilco albums, the email urges fans to "listen to a Nick Lowe album, watch some 'Mythbusters' on Discovery, play Warren Zevon's 'Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner,' rent 'Pay It Forward' (one of his favorite movies), write a song with the TV on and the sound off."

    The email ends with: "...and focus on how Jay always concluded his communications: Love, Jay."

    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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