Former Wilco member Jay Bennett dies
Former Wilco multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Jay Bennett died in his sleep Sunday, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. He was 45.
Bennett was key to making the band’s three best albums: “Being There,” “Summerteeth” and “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.” He put his mark on Wilco classics such as “California Stars” and “Pieholden Suites.”
His fallout with Jeff Tweedy that led to Bennett being kicked out of the band was well documented in the movie “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart. The feud continued to the end. Bennett sued Tweedy this month seeking past royalties.
May 25, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Jay Bennett and Wilco mde some beautiful music together. It’s too bad there was such an ugly split and no reconciliation. Rest in peace, Jay.
May 25, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Yes, very sad. And way too young, which has to make you suspicious. It could be argued that Wilco reached a creative and commercial peak with Foxtrot, the last album Bennett was involved in. Whether the band was better or not post-Jay could keep the fan boards lit up for some time.
May 26, 2009 at 7:39 am
The three albums made since Jay’s departure don’t stack up to the three I mentioned. So, on that basis, Wilco was better with Jay.