Was shocked and sad to see this news:

http://blogs.suntimes.com/derogatis/...at_age_45.html

Bennett of course left the band rather acrimoniously during the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot sessions (as documented in the great documentary I Am Trying To Break Your Heart) but he was a pretty integral part of the band for a while there. Did some fantastic work on "Being There." A shame to see him gone at such a young age too.

Wow. He just "made the news" recently saying he was filing a lawsuit against Jeff Tweedy for using him in their documentary "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" without his permission.

What was the cause of death?

They haven't said yet, but he died in his sleep, so it was probably natural causes. Or Jeff Tweedy.

RIP Jay Bennett

Anyone who's seen the documentary "I am Trying to Break your heart" could see that Bennett had some real issues. Not saying Tweedy didn't but Bennett seemed to hold a lot of grudges about the way he was treated in the band. He also seemed pretty erratic at times. I'm sure he resented the way he was portrayed in the film.

Wow, sad news. He seemed to be a troubled man but I had no idea he was in poor health.

rest in peace

Damn, I just re-watched "I am Trying..." last week with my daughter.

I was just listening to the debut album of his pre-Wilco band - Titanic Love Affair - earlier today. That news is sad, and just a trifle weird considering I didn't even know about his death 'til just now.

Tweedy wouldn't be the musician he is today if it were not for Jay Bennett.

Um, okay. Not sure how that is relevant to this thread.

I'd say it's both a true statement and one that pays tribute to Jay's talents. RIP.

I think we did see a rather big shift in Wilco pre-Jay from the country rock of AM to the psychedelic soundscapes of Being There. I wasn't there, so I don't know how much of it was Jay and how much was Jeff, but I certainly think Jay played a big part in that transition. I love Wilco's post-Jay work too (Nels Cline is awesome, particularly live) but the three albums Jay worked on are still Wilco's finest moment.

I am saddened and shocked by this news. I have several of his solo albums, but nothing will match the past greatness he helped Wilco achieve. I'm glad I got to see him play live, both solo and with Wilco.

sad. i'm a huge wilco fan, especially when jay bennett was contributing to the band. i believed he was into drugs. he talks about drug use in the documentary. hope didnt die because of it. rip.

At least he died with the satisfaction of knowing Wilcos last two records sucked.

I rewatched the film after I heard the news. The guy was a talented prick. Sad news indeed.

Ah, the somber tone of this thread takes a break for the ridiculous. Thanks.

I think he died knowing the complete opposite. You could see Jay's contribution of "Heavy Metal Drummer" in the documentary. Tweedy didn't need either Jay.

War Eagle.

I'm not the biggest Wilco fan on the block. Saw them open for The Jayhawks in '96 and enjoy their albums, but honestly don't know how much/little he contributed to the band. Did see the doc, but that was so long ago. Regardless, sad to see someone go out that young.

I know. Tweedy is the driving force of the band. But hard to ignore that Bennetts period with the band was ultimately their most growing and creative.

As for the HMD dispute, I really didn't understand the point of the argument nor could I tell a worthwhile difference between the two versions.

That said, I do understand why Tweedy kicked him out.

Jay Bennett's Death: Overdose

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The Associated Press (via Billboard) reports that the May 24 death of former Wilco member Jay Bennett has been ruled an overdose. According to Champaign, Illinois County Coroner Duane Northrup, Bennett died from an overdose of the pain killer fentanyl. The Associated Press reports, "the drug is found in patches commonly prescribed to treat chronic pain."

Bennett's death is being investigated as an accident.

RIP Jay Bennett.

unfortunate. i give fentanyl patches to patients when working. extremely strong stuff. rip.