Vic Chesnutt
Update 8:14PM: Read Kristin Hersh’s heartbreaking words on Vic Chesnutt and his passing. Also, there is information on how to donate to his family: here
Update 7:01PM: The New York Times and Vic Chesnutt’s PR rep are confirming that he died this afternoon in the hospital. He was 45.
Update at 2:31PM: He is on life support per his PR rep.
Update 1:58PM: His label, Flagpole, and other sources, are saying that he is on life support.
Update at 10:58AM: Getting unconfirmed reports that he is still with us. Waiting on formal confirmation. As with everyone else who reported his death – based on confirmation from various official sources – DeadJournalist.com is still working to get new confirmation.
Update at 9:24AM: PR rep now redacting that statement that Vic Chesnutt has died; they can not confirm his death at this time. Needless-to-say this story has becoming bizarre.
Update 7:11AM: I received confirmation at 1:52AM this morning that Vic Chesnutt did pass away. He was 45.
Chesnutt’s career began in Athens, Ga., in 1985 as a member of the band the La-Di-Da’s. He began is solo career with the release of, Little, in 1990 which was produced by Michael Stipe. His last album, Skitter on Take-Off, was released in November 2009.
Although best known to many for his roll in the movie “Slingblade” and from the 1992 documentary “Speed Racer”, Chesnutt released more than 15 albums through his musical career. His songs were also featured in the tribute album Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation which was released in 1996.
Chesnutt worked with and appeared on the albums of numerous artists through the years; including collaborative albums with Widespread Panic (as brute) and Elf Power.
Chesnutt, who was confined to a wheelchair after he was left paralyzed in a car accident at age 18, was a native of Zebulon, Ga.
On December 24, 2009, it was confirmed that Chesnutt was in a coma after what was being unofficially sited as a suicide attempt. His death was reported by DeadJournalist.com and many other sources before being retracted mid-morning on December 25, 2009.
Here is a track off of his last album:
Incredibly sad news. I came within an eyelash of interviewing him back in November for DJdc but our schedules couldn’t match up. My thoughts are with his friends and family.