RIP Jay Bennett: former member of Wilco

Jay Bennett, a founding member of Wilco, died Sunday in Urbana, Ill., of unknown causes, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He was 45.

Bennett was working in a VCR repair shop in Champaign when he joined Wilco in 1994. He was with them until 2001, playing a big role in crafting the sound of the acclaimed albums "Being There," "Summerteeth" and "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot."

His strained relations with leader Jeff Tweedy and departure from Wilco were captured in the 2002 documentary "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart."

Earlier this month, Bennett filed a lawsuit against Tweedy for breach of contract and unpaid artist's royalties, arguing that Bennett was never paid for his role in the film and that Tweedy "never obtained the necessary releases for the use of Bennett's performance in the film."

Bennett released five albums and toured as a solo artist after leaving Wilco.