Jay Bennett, RIP

[clifford_thornton]

Jay Bennett RIP

Sad news. I hadn't really followed Wilco too much, but it's a drag when any talented artist leaves the stage too early.

[GregK]

He was certainly talented and was a key member involved in their rise away from being the second best alt-country band to form from Uncle Tupelo, but for my own tastes, I preferred Wilco without him. I like their first album (when they were actually alt-country) and their work with Nels Cline. The Bennett years were way too poppy, Beach Boys-ish melodic for me. Shame that such a talented guy died so young though.

[.:.impossible]

Definitely did not expect to see this tonight. Whoa. Very sad. I have to admit, my knowledge of Jay ends with I AM TRYING TO BREAK YOUR HEART. Despite the personal static between he and Tweedy at that time, my impression of Jay Bennett from the documentary is entirely positive. He seemed like a very talented musician who needed his own band with the momentum that Wilco had.

Bummer. Sounds like he might have been struggling with some things.

[Chalupa]

He was certainly talented and was a key member involved in their rise away from being the second best alt-country band to form from Uncle Tupelo, but for my own tastes, I preferred Wilco without him. I like their first album (when they were actually alt-country) and their work with Nels Cline. The Bennett years were way too poppy, Beach Boys-ish melodic for me. Shame that such a talented guy died so young though.

Agree with this assessment of the Bennett years except I really like Yankee Foxtrot Hotel, on which Bennett had a large role. In fact I would put that LP at the top of their work. YMMV.

R.I.P. Jay.

Whoa seeing that Uncle Tupelo comment reminded me of a show that I saw with UT opening for Teenage Fanclub. Gotta dig out that ticket stub....

[Alexander]

He was certainly talented and was a key member involved in their rise away from being the second best alt-country band to form from Uncle Tupelo, but for my own tastes, I preferred Wilco without him. I like their first album (when they were actually alt-country) and their work with Nels Cline. The Bennett years were way too poppy, Beach Boys-ish melodic for me. Shame that such a talented guy died so young though.

Agree with this assessment of the Bennett years except I really like Yankee Foxtrot Hotel, on which Bennett had a large role. In fact I would put that LP at the top of their work. YMMV.

R.I.P. Jay.

Whoa seeing that Uncle Tupelo comment reminded me of a show that I saw with UT opening for Teenage Fanclub. Gotta dig out that ticket stub....

I listened to "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" today in Jay's honor. Great album!

I saw Uncle Tupelo with Michelle Shocked during the Arkansas Traveler tour (her brother Max was a member of the band at the time). Great band! It was the first time I'd ever seen them, but I had a feeling even then that they were going to go far...and they did, just not as that band!

[Chalupa]

Coroner: Pain killer killed ex-Wilco member

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Former Wilco guitarist Jay Bennett died of an overdose of a pain killer, a coroner said Tuesday, and authorities are viewing his death as accidental.

Toxicology tests showed the 45-year-old musician died from an overdose of fentanyl, Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup said in a brief news release that noted the drug is found in patches commonly prescribed to treat chronic pain.

The release did not indicate whether Bennett had used such a patch but Northrup told The (Champaign) News-Gazette that Bennett had a patch containing fentanyl on his back when he died May 24 after being found unresponsive in his home in Urbana, 110 miles south of Chicago.

Northrup did not return a call from The Associated Press and his office declined to immediately provide a copy of Bennett's autopsy, saying the investigation remains open.

more...

http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment...ilcomember.html