Ex Weezer bassist Mikey Welsh found dead - suspected drug overdose
The 'Green Album' bass player passed away this weekend.
Former Weezer bassist Mikey Welsh has died, it was announced last night (8th October).
A simple post on Welsh's official Facebook page states: "We are deeply saddened to announce that Mikey Welsh passed away unexpectedly today. He will forever be remembered as an amazing father, artist, and friend. May he rest in peace."
Mikey Welsh featured on the band's 'Green Album' and toured with them during that album cycle. He replaced the band's original bass player Matt Sharp in 1998.
Welsh left the band in 2001 following a nervous breakdown and drug issues. In 2007 he admitted in an interview: "Basically, a lifetime of doing drugs and being undiagnosed as having bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and borderline personality disorder finally caught up with me when I was 30-years-old." Since his departure in 2001, Welsh had been persuing a career in painting and art, and had made guest appearances with the band over the past few years.
A report in the Chicago Tribune paper suggests police found Welsh unresponsive in his hotel room with prescription drugs and a bag of white powder. Exact cause of death has is expected to be confirmed in the coming days.
Weezer paid tribute on Twitter to their former bandmate, saying: "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."
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