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    Ex-Weezer bassist Mikey Welsh dies in Chicago

    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 police 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 cause of death was undetermined pending toxicology tests, according to an autopsy performed Sunday by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. Test results could take up to six weeks, authorities said. 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.

     

    362 comments

    • Kahron  •  7 mths ago
      say it ain't so
    • It Never Rains In Souther ...  •  7 mths ago
      Just goes to show, you'll be lucky to get out of life alive.
    • thomas d  •  7 mths ago
      A toxology test takes up to SIX weeks in Chicago? Is Elmer Fudd working as a toxologist in Chicago? It may take six weeks to compile a Final Autopsy but toxology screening is fairly straight forward and they should have a preliminary Autopsy report within a week.
    • Jules  •  7 mths ago
      R.I.P brother!
      • mossad7 7 mths ago
        IS THAT HERPES ON YOUR #$%$ ? YUCK
    • Cashish  •  7 mths ago
      This is sad news, very sad.
    • Questors  •  7 mths ago
      Mateo594, talk about not having a clue. all Borders book stores were shut down over a month ago.
      • Ketil Hrafnhar 7 mths ago
        Well that's interesting seeing as how I just bought a book at a borders two days ago.
    • Rock  •  7 mths ago
      If he had previous had a nervous breakdown and had been out of the loop for a decade, the thought of going to Riot Fest and hangin' out with the boys in all that craziness might have created quite a bit of anxiety. Heart racing, palms sweaty, a couple of these and couple of those to take the edge off... breathing stops...
    • Rock  •  7 mths ago
      We're writing this story to tell you that we won't have any information for 6 weeks.... gee thanks.
    • Lee  •  7 mths ago
      As sad as it is to think about, we know Mikey would never want the money stopped on his account -- quite the contrary in fact," the band said
    • Yeah that's right.  •  7 mths ago
      Sad story. R.I.P..
    • PavlvsMaximvs  •  7 mths ago
      That's too bad. I liked their blue album but everything else was pretty hodge podge.
      Live by the sword, die by the sword. Why can't people just stick to pot and beer? The former lets you know you've had too much by making you pass out, the latter lets you know by making you vomit.
    • facelikearoach  •  7 mths ago
      Oh my! I was just talking to my dad this evening about when my older brother took me to my first concet at the Fox Theatre in Missouri. It was Weezer, and I was a 15 y0 girl the summer of 1995. I remember Mike the bassist jumping up and down as he played- I thought he was awesome.
      Many fond memories of jumping on the trampoline with friends as we blasted "Sweater" and "Say it ain't so." Thanks for the music, and sorry to have you go. Much love to his loved ones.
      • S DS 7 mths ago
        sorry, that wasn't Mikey Welsh that you saw. Mike didn't join the band until 1998.
    • MDDLupFNGZ  •  7 mths ago
      yep say it ain't so
    • patrick  •  7 mths ago
      I hate it read the passing of young people! it seems so wrong but we all have such a short time on the earth! Godspeed Mikey! Godspeed!
      • rebeg 7 mths ago
        40 aint young
    • TAXPAYER  •  7 mths ago
      RIP
    • yourmom  •  7 mths ago
      the blue and green albums are amazing
    • BeatClapper  •  7 mths ago
      Say it ain't so-oo-oh-ooo
    • Andrew  •  7 mths ago
      I never understood people's rude, and obscene comments. Whether or not the toxicology report comes back positive for something, its still a death from someone who was too young. The worst part is that people don't understand drug addiction, and yes it is the persons fault for having tried the drug the first time, but what people dont understand is how hard it is to get off whether or not that person seeks help. Addiction is a disease, its also the only disease where people don't feel sorry for you. So to this i say...if you died of a drug related death...I understand brother..i do. You fought long and hard. And if not and either way you'll be missed. At least your hanging up there with some of the greats with artists and musicians. Rock on bro.
    • soufsider  •  7 mths ago
      fake #$%$ busters
    • penny  •  7 mths ago
      Jordan....How droll.
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