Music Ex-Weezer bassist Mikey Welsh dead

Al Bundy · 10-09-2011, 08:55 AM

http://www.kctv5.com/story/15650967/...ies-in-chicago
Posted: Oct 09, 2011 8:11 AM CDT
Updated: Oct 09, 2011 9:31 AM CDT

CHICAGO (AP) - Former Weezer bass player Mikey Welsh, who also found success in his second career as an artist, died in a Chicago hotel room, police said Sunday.

Chicago spokeswoman Laura Kubiak said Welsh was supposed to check out of the Raffaello Hotel at 1 p.m. Saturday. When he didn't, hotel staff went to his room, entered it and found him unconscious and not breathing, Kubiak said.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said autopsy results will be available Sunday afternoon. Kubiak said there's nothing to indicate foul play.

Welsh, 40, of Burlington, Vt., performed with Weezer from 1998 to 2001, leaving after suffering a nervous breakdown, according to the band's website. He eventually established himself in a second career as a painter.

"I'm taking a break from music," he told MetroWest Daily News in 2002. "I really feel the need to reinvent myself and move on, and I couldn't be happier painting. Music is still an important part of my life, but I really have no desire to actually play it."

Weezer posted a message on its website, saying Welsh's time with the band was "vital, essential, wild, and amazing."

"A unique talent, a deeply loving friend and father, and a great artist is gone, but we will never forget him," the band said.

Welsh planned to attend Weezer's Sunday performance at Riot Fest in Chicago.

"i'm excited to see the boys, hang out and have some fun," he wrote on his Facebook page earlier this month.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

10-09-2011, 08:55 AM	Topic Starter
Al Bundy Damnit Peg Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $5341831	Ex-Weezer bassist Mikey Welsh dead http://www.kctv5.com/story/15650967/...ies-in-chicago Posted: Oct 09, 2011 8:11 AM CDT Updated: Oct 09, 2011 9:31 AM CDT CHICAGO (AP) - Former Weezer bass player Mikey Welsh, who also found success in his second career as an artist, died in a Chicago hotel room, police said Sunday. Chicago spokeswoman Laura Kubiak said Welsh was supposed to check out of the Raffaello Hotel at 1 p.m. Saturday. When he didn't, hotel staff went to his room, entered it and found him unconscious and not breathing, Kubiak said. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said autopsy results will be available Sunday afternoon. Kubiak said there's nothing to indicate foul play. Welsh, 40, of Burlington, Vt., performed with Weezer from 1998 to 2001, leaving after suffering a nervous breakdown, according to the band's website. He eventually established himself in a second career as a painter. "I'm taking a break from music," he told MetroWest Daily News in 2002. "I really feel the need to reinvent myself and move on, and I couldn't be happier painting. Music is still an important part of my life, but I really have no desire to actually play it." Weezer posted a message on its website, saying Welsh's time with the band was "vital, essential, wild, and amazing." "A unique talent, a deeply loving friend and father, and a great artist is gone, but we will never forget him," the band said. Welsh planned to attend Weezer's Sunday performance at Riot Fest in Chicago. "i'm excited to see the boys, hang out and have some fun," he wrote on his Facebook page earlier this month. Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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