Jeff Tweedy Opens Up About Jay Bennett's Death
- Posted on Jul 6th 2009 11:30AM by John D. Luerssen
- Comments (15)
Jeff Tweedy has spoken out about his relationship with Wilco's former multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett, who unexpectedly died in May from an overdose of painkillers. In a new interview with WBEZ Chicago Public Radio, Tweedy speaks about Bennett's tumultuous exit from the band, the shock of his passing at age 45 and the lawsuit Bennett filed against the band for breach of contract earlier this spring."A lot has been made of the relationship that Jay and I had as if it was in a vacuum and not as a part of a band," says Tweedy. "The problem is that when Jay left the band everybody in the band was having a difficult time making that relationship work and be fruitful and having it thrive. And sadly that was just an untenable situation for all of us."
"I think a lot of people always have theories about a songwriter needing an artistic foil," Tweedy adds. "And certainly we've been happy to acknowledge all of the amazing contributions that Jay made to the band. I have trouble talking about it to be honest because it was such a long time ago and at the same time this shock of him passing is really new. The tragedy of it isn't lost on any of us."
"Jay was an extremely talented man and a brilliant man and a gifted musician," Wilco's frontman explains. "And we would have all been very, very happy to see him thrive and flourish, especially in the years after the band. I think it's very, very tragic that he isn't around anymore and that music isn't going to get made."
As for Bennett suing Wilco for unpaid royalties, Tweedy says, "There wasn't anything unresolved on our end, unfortunately. There was something unresolved for Jay. And that is very tragic. I don't have anything else to say about that. It's a really really unfortunate timing and turn of events but what are you gonna do?"
Reader Comments(1 of 1)
rsmith3304at 7-06-2009
THERE SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE DIED FROM OVERDOSES OF RX MEDICATIONS! SOME OF THESE DRS. NEED TO ANSWER FOR THIS! OF COURSE, THE PATIENT HOLDS BLAME, TOO. BUT, THE DR. SHOULD RECOGNIZE SOMEONE THAT IS ADDICTED.
crosscatchat 7-06-2009
One should consider that Jay was in need (overdue)of a hip replacement and no doubt, in considerable pain much of the time. Perhaps he didn't think the pain killers were working. Yes, it is sad. Maybe his system was weak. Who knows but it seems quite accidental to me.
bettyverretat 7-06-2009
The problem is most pill addicts go to several doctors and buy them off the streets too.
darkcrash939at 7-06-2009
Jay's death is unfortunate, so much to live for.
I'm not exactly sure why, but I can't stand jeff Tweedy. I think he's a creep. I saw them/him, and his stage presence and attitude turned my off rather badly. Even though I do like some of their music.
Not that my opinion matters, but this is a place to put it
DOXPET 5at 7-06-2009
Shouldn't pharmacies somehow hold some culpability in these prescription drug wars?
bsublime5725at 7-06-2009
Pharmacists generally have no idea that the person is getting drugs at several places. The system that is in place to monitor controlled drugs don't update quickly enough and many pharmacies don't even have access to these programs. Also pharmacists are somewhat bound by the prescriptions they are presented. If we think there is a drug problem, we can call the physician and make them aware but if the physician doesn't want to cancel the prescription, there is nothing we can do except send the patient to another pharmacist. Also physicians can be sued if they don't provide adequate pain relief for patients.
Itsdamammaat 7-06-2009
I suffer from pain 24-7 and can't get a doc to give me one small dose of pain meds at night before bed. How in the world do these guys get enough to OD??? OH YEAH THAT"S RIGHT>>> I am poor, I go to doctors that don't get paid. If you have money you can get anything. Can some one please send me some drugs?
Pinkandwiterosesat 7-06-2009
to Itsdamamma, you really don't want drugs, that only masks the problem, wouldn't it be better to be cured of the problem instead? Besides everything gets filtered through your liver, and after years of taking all those meds the doctors give you, you need to take medicine for your liver. I am going through that now. I use to want meds to take away my pain as well, and look where it has gotten me. It isn't just the rich that are given so much pain medication. I was on medical that I got with my SSI and all the doctors ever wanted to do was load me up on pain pills and it almost killed me.It's faster for the dr.'s to fill out prescriptions then it is to find out whats really wrong with you, and find a better way to treat you. I came off all that pain medication cold turkey and I thought I was gonna die. Now I am very careful and read up on what they want to prescribe to me.You know your body better then any one else does.It is safer to check out what is given to you before just taking the doctor's word for it.
Itsdamammaat 7-06-2009
I am chronic. I have suffered for 25 years and have already got all the liver problems of a 65 year old alcoholic... They put me on drugs along time ago, screwed up my body with botched surgery and I will no longer let them cut me. Since I wont allow them to cut me they refuse help me deal with a life long pain issue. I am wayyyyy past all that. they have me on 11 different drugs and I have been taking 1000 MG of ibuprofen for 20 years. TO LATE! Now can ya send me some drugs? itsdamamma@aol.com
Diana Molinoat 7-06-2009
I am sorry to hear about your friend. I am sure you miss his presence. Death is such a morbid thing that no one wants to die. I am sorrier to hear that it again was drugs. These deaths by drugs, prescribed or not, could surely be prevented if the person would only give them up. Sure it hurts, I am 67 and I have pains, too. But I don't doctor shop, I learn to live with it. Yes, even the chronic pain in my feet, which I have to walk on. I was diagnosed with tunnel syndrome of the legs. The Podiatrist offered to slit the nerves but I refused because I could step on a piece of glass and never know it, I could bleed to death. I would rather hurt and know I was alive then unknowingly bleed to death. Too many of the up to date people refuse to hurt any at all. Pain is a reminder of what not to do again. I used to wear high heels all of my life as a working person. High heels are not good for your feet. They may make you look better, more slender legs, but they cause many foot problems. Especially later on. Your friend had hip problems, he felt the pain deep in his hips. Mine are stiffening up on me. I can feel that stiffness originating from deep down. It's difficult to explain where deep down is. It is in the center of my hip. For me it is the right hip. It is most noticeable when I first wake up in the morning and rise. I consider it an aging sign. One of those things of being alive. If it were pain I would go to my doctor. Love, Peace and Wisdom.
Janieat 7-06-2009
DOXPET 5
at 7-06-2009Shouldn't pharmacies somehow hold some culpability in these prescription drug wars?
Good point DOX!
Pharmacies network with each other, and have been for years. You can't get a refill of a controlled substance if you try to fill it at any major drugstore (the Ma and Pa pharmacies hardly exist anymore, and no medical insurance will tolerate or cover anyone filling multiple perscriptions from different doctors.) These pill abusers should be red-flagged!
I think that Doctors should start networking with the pharamcies so they will know if a person is "doctor shopping." All these overdoses of famous people who doctor shop are making it hard for people who really need prescription pain killers. Like cancer patients, or people with severe ongoing agonizing pain from a spinal ingury etc... I have a strong feeling that the FDA and DEA are going to make it almost impossible for Doctors to prescribe these pills for people who really need pain killers because of these high profile abusers. The truly sick folks (who really need them) will turn to illegal measures to obtain what they need, and it will cost them hundreds of $$$, or even their lives. You can count on it.
cinekaynonat 7-07-2009
I recognize that Jay Bennett was invasive to people's personal space. I don't think I would have liked it. But a mentor of mine at AFI once advised me that you don't have to like the people you work with. I stopped listening to WILCO after YHF because it was apparent that Tweedy thought WILCO = Tweedy plus some guys in the background who knew their place as subordinates. I still listen to the Bennett era records, and miss WILCO as I knew them. I think Tweedy's comments are genuine; maybe it's time we got to know each other again: I'm just a fan.
afunguy1at 7-07-2009
I too suffer from pain and cannot get any pain medication. I have three discs in my back that have leaked out their fluid and to make any type of movement is quite painful. My doctor only wants to operate. When I ask for some pain medication, she refuses and says that she can't do that. She can only operate. I think that I should have the choice as it is my body. I would just like to get one night of sleep without being wakened by the back pain over and over. I have lived with this for six years now and it is not getting any better. I can live with the pain but like I said, it would be nice just to get a full nights sleep.
witchdoctorat 7-07-2009
Jeff has had the onus of leadership on him since the beginning of Wilco, and Jay was, painfully enough, NOT the guy who had to make a great record. Jeff's future was tied up in the success of the band more than anyone and Jay was not good to him for awhile, especially with Jeff's migraines. I suffer them too, and had I had to deal with some of that for one day, the relationship would have been over a lot sooner.
That being said, Jay was a magnificent textural arranger and musician. I enjoyed his solo work tremendously and still listen to certain songs when I go into a recording studio to get a reference.
As to Jeff thinking of the band as a solo project with a bunch of sidemen, don't say that to Nels Cline. He may not be the singer, but he is definitely no sideman.
RICKat 7-07-2009
Many patients see more they 1 doctor,go to multiple emergency rooms, and frequently do not tell the doctors what medicaions they are taking. Many states are beginning to monitor what controlled medications and the amount that patients are recieving, and relaying that information back to the doctors to help stop this but there are ways around this, going to doctors and pharmacy's in multiple states. If someone whats the drugs, they find ways.