Jay Bennett

“Jay Bennett” is currently trending on Twitter. This is how I learned of the passing of the musical visionary that helped make Being There, Summerteeth & Yankee Hotel Foxtrot the top 3 of all the 6 studio albums by Wilco. The former member of Wilco passed away Sunday morning at the age of 45 . The cause of his death is unknown.

The three albums Wilco released from 1996 to 2002 will always have a cherished place in my collection. The synergy between the band members at that time produced 3 amazing albums, including one masterpiece: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Sadly, the energies between the band members did not serve them well outside the studio, and Jay Bennett left the band in 2001. Jay Bennett’s outstanding production skills and musical talent brought Wilco’s sound a dynamic quality that is difficult to find. I am grateful to have been able to see Wilco live during the time that Bennett was part of the band. Since he and Wilco parted ways, the band’s albums have not been up to the same standard I had grown accustomed to from the Chicago based Americana band. I am sadened by the news of his passing.

Please enjoy one great tune from each of these 3 great albums:

Outta Site (Outta Mind) from Being There

Wilco - Being There (1996)

Shot in the Arm from Summerteeth

Wilco - Summerteeth (1999)

Ashes of American Flags from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrott (2002)