Bennett was the driving force behind the two best Wilco albums — “Being There” and “Summerteeth” (the latter of which is one of the best albums of the 1990s). Notice how boring Wilco got following Bennett’s departure? His solo work left a lot to be desired, but he was an amazing talent who got shafted by Jeff Tweedy. Why don’t people think of Tweedy as more of a villain?

” Why don’t people think of Tweedy as more of a villain?” Hmm. Maybe bacause he isn’t? Tweedy’s the leader of Wilco, and while Bennett was a definite creative and sonic force while with the band, Tweedy evidently had other plans. I thought Bennett had the talent and sound to make it as a solo artist, but as commented by Anonymous, his solo stuff left a lot to be desired…RIP, Jay

Being There, Summerteeth, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and Mermaid Avenue Vol. 1, are the only Wilco albums I truly enjoy.

Wilco, pre and post Jay Bennett, does very little for me.

RIP Jay Bennett.

PS – I realize Jay is also on Mermaid Avenue Vol 2, but it’s not nearly as strong a collection as Vol. 1)

“A circle can have only one center.”

A fond memory of Jay.
Wilco came to the Fillmore shortly after the release of Being There and played it start to finish. Jay played blistering psychedelic, rocking guitar solos, all unexpected twists and turns with little country flourishes thrown in. Jeff would look over beaming, and kid Jay about what a rock star Jay was, throughout this amazing set. t was a fantastic night of music and I was struck by the sonic atmosphere Jay would create when he put his SG down and manned the keyboards. A truly gifted musician. Jay, you are missed.
Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

C’mon, folks–rather than turning this into a forum to decide who the bigger pain in the a$$ was, let’s just recognize the fact that Jay obviously was a gifted musician who produced some great music with Wilco. I remember seeing them on the ‘Being There’ tour and standing front and stage left in front of Jay’s Hammond organ…that show was one of the greatest I’ve ever seen and Tweedy and Jay had a real report going back then. Real, transcendent music. Thanks for that, Jay–it’s a great memory.

A circle can have only one center?

Yeah, tell that to the Beatles.

I wouldn’t say Tweedy is necessarily a villain but he is an asshole.

RIP Jay…I also had fond memories of you with Wilco from the Fillmore (sf) back in the day and all the early Wilco albums are very special. Re: Wilco being boring now…wow…that’s quite a heavy-handed ill-conceived statement. Anyone who says Nels Cline is boring doesn’t know anything about music. True, they’ve moved out of the roots rock/alt country genre from time to time, but their music continues to be amazing…Truly they are one of America’s best bands (past present and future) and – though I hate sharing them – more people should listen to WILCO!

Yeah, Jay’s contribution to the band resulted in some phenomenal music. His musical gifts will be missed. Everything I’ve ever heard out of Jeff’s mouth about Jay was complementary and fair. He recognized his gifts, they just didn’t work well together. I hope his recent lawsuit and now his untimely death don’t uncover a larger, darker issue; as is so often the case in musician’s deaths. RIP – Jay Bennett. I will spin Summerteeth today in your honor!

Jay was a huge inspiration to me, jay had a very special ear for melody. Regardless of whether or not he was difficult at times; he was truly a gifted musician. I will always remeber him as such.

Jay was the multi-talented guy that Wilco needed in those first few years. They made some great albums, and it’s obvious that Jay played a huge part of making those albums. And during the making of YHF, it’s my opinion that they (or Jeff) needed him so they could realize that they didn’t need him anymore, and that it was time to move on to a new sound. Jay wanted to rock, and the rest of the band wanted to try something new. Nothing wrong with that. But I think that’s a lesson for all musicians out there: your identity can’t be based on the band you’re in, because you may discover, as Jay did, that you’re not in that band any more.

Wilco was great with Jay and has been great without Jay. It’s very sad news and it seems a little extra sad as Jay seemed to be having a rough go of it.

I second the opinion Wilco got *very* boring after Bennett (& Ken Coomer) were ousted. All good things end, though, I suppose, and those early albums were quite special. Sad story.

Just another example of why we need socialized medicine in this country! R.I.P. Jay!

I knew Jay as a friend of a friend before I ever knew he was in a “famous” band. I can’t speak as to whether or not he was difficult to work with or get along with on a daily basis. But, I can tell you he was always respectful, generous and kind to me and my family. R.I.P. Jay.

RIP – Jay

When it was all about the music, you made it count.

As for the folks ripping on Jeff and Wilco. Just stop it. These guys will feel badly enough without all the “stuff”. For the record, Wilco is an incredible rock band – Past, Present and Future.

RIP – Jay

When it was all about the music, you made it count.

As for the folks ripping on Jeff and Wilco, just stop it. These guys will feel badly enough without all the “stuff”. For the record, Wilco is an incredible rock band – Past, Present and Future.

Tweedy lost his credibility quite some time ago and I stopped buying any music he is connected to. He can play “god” with whoever, whenever he chooses, but that doesn’t make him one.

Who?

LOL….too bad. So anybody know who this guy is?

Funny when someone dies he is the “good guy” instantly? He was very difficult to work with at times for members in Wilco and they were a band before him and after him. He tried to become Wilco and Jeff had to maintain control of “his band”. He did all he could do by ousting a guy that got too big for his role within Wilco. He was very talented and I personally love that era of Wilco. But talented strong willed artists clash. That is all here, not good guy vs. bad guy. It was Jeff’s band and he knew changesx had to be made to continue in “their direction.”

Well, at least, in referencing the photo above, Jeff and Jay didn’t let creative tensions keep them from splitting a good flannel pajama set. “I’ll take the top, Jay. You can have the pants.”

Ridiculous… to say that about Wilco, or Jeff Tweedy. Elements of jazz that Nels brought to the band after Summerteeth have proven that the band evolves over time. Clearly, a lot of fans have not been listening since Jay’s departure, and have some misguided opinions of Jeff and/or Jay. Pointless to rip on Jeff Tweedy, as many other magazines, bands and fans all agree that Wilco is doing just fine, and branching out in a lot of areas. Wanting more energy from Wilco? Start your own band. Staying the same sucks, and life isnt as black and white as you’d like to think, esp. regarding Jeff Tweedy, and his band mates. Dont act like outsiders have any understanding of the band’s internals either- it’s not important to the music anyways. Their music was a collaborative effort, something that everyone wants to forget. It’s all about what each person likes, and while it seems like there are two camps here, there isn’t. Well maybe- lovers and haters.

Did anyone notice that the real issue is that Jay Bennett died? It’s a shame that all this mindless drivel is being spouted about the music, personalities, etc., when all that really matters is the tragedy that someone died at the young age of 45. Get a life people.

“No Love’s as random as god’s love”

Mamed……many are saying it was suicide. Would you feel the same then if that is true? Better to talk about the music etc.

I just read the Wilco Biography “Learning How To Die” and I though that Jay contributed in a huge way to some of Wilco’s best moments. Jay & Jeff were just too strong in their convictions to remain in the same band for too long. Jay is respected by every musician I know. We will miss him.

Saw Wilco show late 90’s Newport and post show Jeff was playing ’star’ while Jay was grounded. Tweedy should get back to his roots. Dressing like Grahm Parsons???? Another pompous rock stars survives while talent gets overlooked by the masses. Blank Wilco….the song, the book, the corporate money drive……

Anonymous, I was directing my comments about those individuals who are more interested in the debate over Wilco with Jay or after Jay. It’s very insensitive to talk about all that crap when someone has died. If you want to talk about the great music Jay made with or without Wilco, that’s great. Yes, I would feel the same if it was suicide. Death at 45, whether by suicide or natural causes, is a tragedy no matter how you look at it.

Funny Pic. The only person that stayed in the band (from the pick above) – John Stirrat – is the one looking reverentially at Tweedy. Nobody else is paying attention.

Rest peacefully, Jay. Venus Stop the Train is one of my all-time favorites.

I had really become a huge Jay fan over the past few years. I can’t believe he’s gone.

Jay you will be missed.

This sucks.

When the release of Yankee Hotel foxtrot was being delayed I heard that Jay Bennet was not in the band. When I finally heard YHF all I could think of was “will they ever do anything this good again?” I discovered wilco through Summerteeth, an album that wound up being the soundtrack for one of the darkest summers of my life, and reading the credits, I felt that Jay and Jeff were both incredible visionaries, but I always thought that Tweedy was the main creater, while Jay was a guy who knew how to make it better. I felt this way from looking at the credits and seeing the variety of instruments that Jay played, some of wich I didn’t even know what they were (like the farfisa). Everything great that Tweedy does he learned from Jay. They may have been partners, but there was also a student-teacher relationship going on there, which a partnership can rarely survive.
Just recently while watching Ashes of American Flags I was wondering if Jay and Jeff ever would reconcile and work together again, a pointless thought now.
Thanks for the great music Jay, thanks for showing that there could be brilliant sonic experimentation without being a prog-rock wanker or gen x slacker relying on irony to make a point. If I ever round up the funds to buy a Farfisa and/or a Danelectro baritone guitar, I will think of you when I buy them. RIP

Oh, and to all the people dissing what wilco has done since Jay left, it may not be as good as anything they did with Jay, but it is still better than any music not being made by Jack White is.
Wilco, if you are truly saddened by this and understand the tragedy in this you will do something for all of us and help get us the guaranteed right to health care. If Jay was owed royalties he was a nice enough person to leave “good enough” alone, let the past be the past, and not sue your asses until he discovered he was actually in desperate need of it. All comments from people who met him make me think this of him, that he was so uninterested in continuing any conflict that he just let it slide. Every one who knew or met him paints a picture of a genuinely nice, unpretensious person, even Tweedy.

“And during the making of YHF, it’s my opinion that they (or Jeff) needed him so they could realize that they didn’t need him anymore, and that it was time to move on to a new sound.”

that said, it’s unfortunate that they (jeff) didn’t have enough respect for Jay (or themselves) to keep him around just a little longer so that he could enjoy the excitement that followed the release of YHF as a member band. he deserved that much.

letting him go(forcing him to quit) at that particular moment really was not right.

This is terribly sad news. Jay Bennett was very gifted, and his work together with Wilco produced some really excellent recordings–particularly Summerteeth, Mermaid Avenue 1 & 2, and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. These cds are still among my favorites in my iPod, and I count myself lucky I saw Wilco with Billy Bragg when Jay was still in the band. What a great memory. I think I’ll listen to YHF now and thank Jay’s spirit wherever it is now.

Nevermind good vs. bad – I am thankful the two created something together. That work will live with me until I am no longer able to hear.

Thank You…

too bad for Jay, but Jeff Tweedy is the shit…and all of the Wilco records besides A.M. rock my socks off….word.

Wilco, unlike Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt, has been a hard band to love–with or without Jay Bennett. I liked them well enough before they decided country wasn’t cool, and the Mermaid Avenue albums are indespensible, but their self-indulgent experimentation and Volkswagen deal have really made me an ambivalent fan at best. If Bennett’s only contribution to the band had been the Woody Guthrie tributes, he’d still be important. Sad to hear he’s gone and that he and Tweedy didn’t part company on better terms.

What is it about Tweedy and guys named Jay?

to the person upset that this message board is “drivel” rather substantive offerings to the one who died at 45, this is an internet message board! i don’t care how 21st century you are–mourn the dead in a chapel or a field or a river or a cherokee burial ground. digitized benedictions are cheap.

and to the pne who wrote the article. the film doesn’t directly show any bennett/o’rourk disagreements. it only alludes to the fact that tweedy wanted o’rourke’s input and got it. i doubt bennett and o’rourke had that much contact, ever.

RIP jay. you made some good music.

long live jim o’rourke.

RIP jay. you made some good music.

Jay was very very talented but I don’t understand why people think the band has gone down since his departure. Nels Cline is amazing. the music has matured and evolved in the last 3 albums

Jay was very very talented but I don’t understand why people think the band has gone down since his departure. Nels Cline is amazing. the music has matured and evolved in the last 3 albums

…i was given the honor through chance, to meet this man at one of his lowest points about a year and a half ago…

…i was impressed by his honesty, intelligence, compassion, and pain…

…will miss what he gave to the world…

…and I am comforted by the fact that I was able to say goodbye and give him a hug the last time I saw him…

…though I did not think I would never see him again, with his loss we are all diminished…

Speculate all you want, I think it’s fairly obvious that Jay Bennett ultimately died of a broken heart.

Maybe 15, yea, you’re right it is an internet message board. I should have known better than to find real people on the internet that had some kind of compassion rather than a bunch of posers who want to debate whether Wilco is better with Jay or Nels Cline. I love all these people that personally insert themselves into bands and feel personally slighted if a band changes direction. So, sorry for trying to make the point that somebody dying is more important than a war of words showdown between indie hipsters about how Wilco has changed since Jay left. Gotta love the indie hipsters. I guess the Jay Farrar vs. Jeff Tweedy thing finally got old and now there is a new pointless topic, “Jay vs. Nels Cline.” Wonderful. It’s amazing, I find something I like in every Wilco album. If I don’t like an album or a song, I stop listening to it. I don’t get on a message board to insert myself into a bands decision and cry about how they ruined my life since changing direction.

Lesson learned:

BUY HEALTH INSURANCE when you’ve made some money. It’s more important than cigarettes, computers, iPods, cars, guitars, drugs, etc., yet so many millions choose not to spend the money on it. Sad. And stupid.

I am better than Jay Bennett.

Who the hell is Jay Bennett?

wilco sucks balls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!damit!!

I still like Wilco, and the band as it is now is better live than it ever was, but no question that the songwriting has gone down a notch in quality since Bennett left. Tweedy may be an autocrat, but Bennett was a bit cavalier for biting the hand that fed him, and that got him bounced. It totally sucks that he died so young, and I wish the family and friends he left behind all the best. Finally, health care reform now. Coverage should be automatic for every American.

Like 98 % of people i’ve never heard a Wilco song and have no idea who this guy was…

WHO?

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and Being There will always be my favorite Wilco records. Nels Cline’s boring crew cut and soothing jazz licks got nothing on Jay Bennett’s work in the band. It’s pointless to debate anyway. Tweedy should be about ready to boot Nels out any day now. Jay was the key ingredient in the greatness of the Wilco albums he was a part of. If I want to enjoy Wilco, I play those. If I want to be depressed or fall asleep (and sometimes I do) I play the sentimental boring Norah Jonesish stuff that is all over A Ghost is Born and Sky Blue Sky. If the songs aren’t sleepers they are Abbey Road/Let It Be area rip offs, see various parts of songs or whole songs, (Walken, Hummingbird, Hate it Here) The songs that have that “Wilco sound” are weak imitations of the Being There and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot stuff. I do enjoy these later albums but with some disappointment.

I’ve got reservations, about so many things…

Hey State Farm:

You stupid bastard. Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps Bennett’s preexisting condition made him ineligible for a private policy?

Don’t be so goddamn simplistic.

It is my hope that the spirit and intent of this thread be dedicated to remember and celebrate the contributions that Jay made to music through Wilco, his solo efforts, and other artists he collaborated with
(like Blues Traveler).

Jay was a brilliantly talented multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, arranger, producer, and recording engineer. Artists with his breadth and depth of talent are rare and a wonder to behold and absorb.

My thoughts and prayers are extended to his family, loved ones, and friends as they grieve his loss.

Some of you are just plain ignorant! God bless Jay Bennett. He was an amazing musician. Who cares about the other debates? He will be missed. I can remember seeing him play with Wilco in the early years. Amazing. He really drove the band back then. He will be missed in the music world. Jay, rest your heavy head.

I was fortunate enough to see Wilco 4 times w/ Jay . He definently added a major spark to not only the recordings he made with Wilco, but to their live shows as well. He gave the band their power back in those days!
A truly, truly gifted musician.

While I still like what Wilco is doing and enjoy their recent records, something about the albums Jay helped make just stand out and seem brighter. I think his contributions to the Mermaid sessions are really what made those albums so great.

…and for the 98% who have never heard of Wilco, check out Summerteeth, it’s brilliant!

I was fortunate enough to see Wilco 4 times w/ Jay . He definently added a major spark to not only the recordings he made with Wilco, but to their live shows as well. He gave the band their power back in those days!
A truly, truly gifted musician.

While I still like what Wilco is doing and enjoy their recent records, something about the albums Jay helped make just stand out and seem brighter. I think his contributions to the Mermaid sessions are really what made those albums so great.

…and for the 98% who have never heard of Wilco, check out Summerteeth, it’s brilliant!