Ex-Wilco member Jay Bennett died of drug overdose

Bennett died of an overdose of fentanyl, says coronor
Bennett died of an overdose of fentanyl, says coronor

Jay Bennett, former multi-instrumentalist for the band Wilco, died of a drug overdose, according to coroner's reports.

Champaign, Illinois County Coroner Duane Northrup says tests show the 45-year-old musician died from fentanyl. The drug is found in patches commonly prescribed to treat chronic pain.

Jay Bennett died 24 May after being found unresponsive in his home in Urbana, Illinois.

Bennett worked as a sound engineer and played a variety of instruments for Wilco from 1994 to 2001. In early May, he sued Wilco leader Jeff Tweedy, claiming that he was owed £33,000 ($55,000) for back royalities during his seven years with the band.

In the video below, Bennett contributes piano to the track Cars Can't Escape, from the Wilco documentary I Am Trying To Break Your Heart.

Joe Bosso

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar WorldGuitar PlayerMusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.