Former Weezer ex-bassist Mikey Welsh, 40, was found dead at the Raffaello Hotel on Saturday while in town to see his ex-bandmates. Welsh, who was pursuing art after leaving the group following emotional problems, posted on his Facebook page on Oct. 1, eight days before his death:
“Hello hello.. so i’m going on my first vacation in quite a long time.. very stoked.. first i’m off to nashville, to be photographed working on a big painting by a very good friend of mine. And then off to chicago, to see the mighty =w= rock out.. i’m excited to see the boys, hang out and have some fun.. so everyone take care.”
In a note to fans, the group wrote that Welsh was “vital, essential, wild, and amazing. Mikey was never one to shy away from the absurd, dangerous or strange, and he did so with a gusto few others had. No one had quite the stage presence of Mikey, nor have there been many who pulled the types of shenanigans he did at shows…” You can find more of the written tribute on the band’s Website.
