Gawker: Did Wilco's Bennett die because he didn't have health insurance?

The music world was saddened this weekend when news of former Wilco guitarist Jay Bennett's death was reported. Bennett, 45, lived in Champaign, and left the Chicago band in 2001. He recently sued Wilco singer Jeff Tweedy for royalties, and claimed on his MySpace blog that he didn't have money for hip surgery, and was bed-ridden.

Media gossip blog Gawker wonders if Bennett's death was related to his lack of health care.

We hate to get all political at the time of a man's death, but if a well-established musician/producer like Jay Bennett couldn't afford the health care he needed to seek treatment for his crippling injuries, what hope does that leave for the rest of us in this country? His story is intolerably sad, not to mention downright scary.

In any event, Bennett's passing is sad for Wilco fans and those who enjoyed his country rock songs after he left the band. You can visit his MySpace page here.