Mikey Welsh, former Weezer bassist and artist passed away on Saturday 8 October in his Chicago hotel room. Employees of the Raffaello Hotel found Welsh unconscious and not breathing when they entered the room after he failed to check out. According to police there was no foul play, but they do suspect narcotics were involved; prescription drugs and a bag of white powder were found in his room.
Welsh joined Weezer in 2000 and was part of the band till August 2001, after which suffered a mental breakdown and later attempted suicide. At this point he decided to leave the band, and in the years leading up to his death he devoted himself to his painting.
“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.”
The band also paid their respects on their own Twitter account Twitter.com/Weezer:
We are shocked and deeply saddened to hear the awful news, our friend and fellow Weezer rocker @mikeywelsh71 has passed away. We love you Mikey.
The website Weezerpedia has also set up a digital eulogy page where family, friends and fans can pay their respects.
We sincerely hope, in the famous Weezer words that:
You’ll be forever on an island in the sun, where you’ll be playing and having fun.
Rest in peace Mickey Welsh.
