Jay Walter Bennett was a guitarist, singer-songwriter and founding member of Titanic Love Affair and later a member of Wilco. He died in his sleep at the age of 45 on May 24, 2009.
Titanic Love Affair created three albums in the 1990’s. Bennett moved on to join Wilco in 1994 and spent the next seven years with the group, leaving in 2001 following a conflict with front man Jeff Tweedy.
The talented musician was a much sought after studio session player as well, having played on albums by Sheryl Crow, Allison Moorer, and Bill Joe Shaver, among others.
After leaving Wilco, Bennett released five albums: The Palace at 4am, Bigger Than Blue, The Beloved Enemy and The Magnificent Defeat. His last album, Whatever Happened I Apologize, was released on rockproper.com in November 2008
In May 2009, Bennett sued Tweedy for breach of contract stemming from his work for Wilco. According to court documents filed on May 5, Jay was suing for the recovery of artistic royalty payments and proceeds from a documentary about the band, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart – see video below.
The suit came less than two weeks after Bennett publicly revealed that he needed hip replacement surgery which he could not afford due to lack of health insurance.
Bennett lived in Urbana, Illinois, where he spent most of his time writing songs and recording in his private studio.
Another photo and video from the documentary and a set of Wilco playing Misunderstood below.