Ilya S. Savenok, Getty Images The sad news came across late Wednesday afternoon…
Vic Chesnutt Confirmed Dead
- Posted on Dec 25th 2009 6:15PM by Benjy Eisen
UPDATE: The New York Times confirmed on Friday that singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt has indeed passed away at the age of 45, following a brief coma that was the result of an overdose on muscle relaxers earlier this week. Family spokesperson, Jem Cohen, did not specify if the overdose was intentional but Chesnutt, a paraplegic who often sang about death, had admitted in interviews that he had attempted suicide several times before. A tweet written on Thursday morning by his good friend and long-time collaborator, Kristen Hersh, states in part, "this time, he left a note."Entrenched in the Athens, Ga. music scene, Chesnutt was a songwriter's songwriter; he first earned the admiration of R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe in the late '80s and since then was praised by countless other notable songwriters and musicians, many of which eventually collaborated with him. His most recent band included members of Fugazi, Godspeed! You Black Emperor and Silver Mt. Zion Orchestra, but over the years he collaborated with members of Widespread Panic, Cracker, Lambchop, Throwing Muses, M. Ward, Cowboy Junkies and many more.
Chesnutt's national profile was elevated in 1996 when his songs were covered by an impressive list of contributors -- including Madonna, R.E.M., Smashing Pumpkins and Garbage -- for a Sweet Relief compilation album that benefited musicians without health insurance. Ironically and tragically, Chesnutt had health insurance and wasn't personally eligible for financial help from Sweet Relief, despite struggling to cover his significant health care costs. A car accident at the age of 18 left Chesnutt in a wheelchair, with a lifetime of complications.
He told Spinner earlier this year that "right now, I am in huge trouble in that the hospital is suing me for $35,000 for payment, which is terrifying -- and the rub is that I have health insurance." His heath care debt reportedly totaled more than $50,000 and his struggles with suicide and substance abuse have been well documented.
Chesnutt's catalog features 13 studio albums, including this year's critically acclaimed 'At the Cut,' which he was recently out on the road supporting. In a live review of one of those shows, the New York Times noted that Chesnutt's songs were contemplations on "not just mortality but also the broader inevitability of collapse and decay."
In an interview with Spinner this past September, Chesnutt admitted that, as an artist, he was difficult to pigeonhole into one specific genre. "I was labeled as alt-country for years but I never saw that at all," he said. "I like it when you're confused by an artist for a minute. I like it when everything popping out of your iPod from a band is not the same crap over and over. That makes me happy."
Vic Chesnutt -- both the man and his music -- made many people happy. We will remember him for that, and his songs will continue to give us moments of catharsis and release.
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Add a Comment
Andy Wood
I'm still reeling at the news and raging at the unjustice that befell Vic Chesnutt. His music has kept me going through battling my own personal demons. I've always felt him to be a complete inspiration in how he dealt with the terrible situation thrust upon him at such a young age. I emailed him some years ago and told him that I owed him a debt of gratitude - I hope he read it and understood how he touched his audience with his quick wittedness, humility and melody. Rest in peace, Vic. You will live forever through your massive legacy.
February 04 2010 at 5:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Andrew Lorms
Without even knowing who Vic was Cobalt Blue caught my ear; however, Bernadette took me through the winter months. The gravity of the situation is now apparent to me after all!
January 09 2010 at 11:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Pat Strickland
I just heard Terri Gross's interview with him from early December 2009 on "Fresh Air," today, which caused me to Google him tonight. Tremendous loss. She played his song, "Been Flirting With You All My Life," about his history of suicide attempts, and he said it was a really joyous song, about the "breakup" of his affair with death, but it sounded like he protested too much. Not only was he an "incomplete" quadraplegic from the car accident when he was 18, but in his early 20's, he lost his mother to cancer, his father had shortly predeceased her, and three grandparents died within the span of a couple of years. And yet he hung on for another 20 years or so, creating art. I will definitely get his CDs. I just wish I had known about him earlier, and been able to see him perform. He had a very unique, tortured sound to his voice, and his lyrics were incredibly poetic and sad.
January 08 2010 at 1:24 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
steve
he had so many "star friends" that could of bailed him out of debt. 35k .. i hope his 'star friends" take a look in the mirror. i hope the insurances companies burn in this life and the next.
i hope he is at peace.
dano
never heard of the man either, but it seems he had the respect of quite a few recording artist. i'm sure he'll be missed by them. may he rest in peace.
December 26 2009 at 7:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
mike r
"I like it when everything popping out of your iPod from a band is not the same crap over and over. That makes me happy."
I'm not familiar with Vic's work, although I have heard of him - this comment makes me wish I had. I agree TOTALLY!.
A mind like this will be missed ...
IndieRockCafe
RIP Vic.
We are simply devastated by this sad news.
The fact that Vic had health insurance and was being sued by the hospital for $35K (bills apparently not covered by his policy) is just another example of why we need REAL health reform care in this country - rather than a bill for the insurance companies.
In a way, Vic was too good for this wicked world.
But, it is sad, as Roland pointed out, that Vic's big star friends couldn't help him with the debt that apparently caused him so much grief in the past year.
We are forever thankful for the wonderful music Vic contributed to our lives and will never forget him in our hearts.
- Your Friends at IndieRockCafe
Judy Roberts
Such a sad end so early for such a talent. To think it was about a suit against him for medical bills is intolerable. Shame on us and shame on this country that has a health care system that would allow this. My heartfelt sympathies to Vic's family and friends.
December 26 2009 at 4:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Jennifer
I don't know who this guy is, but lots of people become depressed around the holidays, remembering old times, lost loved ones, maybe fearing the passing of years. Bless his heart, I hope he is at peace now.
December 26 2009 at 3:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Poughkeepsie John
3 replies to Poughkeepsie John's comment
I can't believe that Vic Chestnutt had health insurance and yet he was still in debt with medical bills. I guess Michael Moore was right about the health insurance industry after all. Shame on those people.
Vic was a gifted artist and I don't say that too often. He had a lot of struggles in his life, without question. Yet, he was always able to make wonderful music and we'll remember him for that.
25 Comments