Wheelchair-bound singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt has died, according to The New York Times.
In an apparent suicide attempt, allegedly due to an overdose of muscle relaxers, Chesnutt lapsed into a coma from which never emerged. Don Wilkie, co-owner of Chesnutt’s label, Constellation Records, said Thursday afternoon, “Vic is in the middle of a serious medical condition. He is in a coma, but we have no statement about the specifics of the situation. His family and friends are with him. His doctors are continuing to assess his condition.”
After a series of news reports, including this one, prematurely announced Chesnutt's passing, he passed away earlier today, a spokesman for his family said.
Michael Stipe of R.E.M. produced Chesnutt's first two albums in the early '90s, which were followed by over a dozen more, with two, At the Cut and Skitter On Take-Off, in the past year alone. Not only was Chesnutt a (self-described) quadriplegic, all of his immediate family died by the time he was 25, he had a longtime struggle with substance abuse, and owed over $50,000 in medical bills. In an interview with NPR's Terry Gross, he claimed to have attempted suicide four times in the past.
While a number of readers left vitriolic comments (see below) regarding the erroneous reporting of his death here earlier today, they would be better served to listen to some of Vic's music, and remember him for the artist that he was. Now, he has finally found peace.
Comments
I hate Christmas so much...
That is so sad. Whenever his song "Kick My Ass", which Garbage covered early in their career, comes on the ipod, I have to listen to it again. Such a loss.
Uhh he can use his arms. So that means he wasn't a quadripalegic- just para.
I love Easter...
I have been in touch with people who have seen Vic at St. Mary's in Athens, and the said he's still in a coma.
Vic was one of a kind.
He described himself as a quadriplegic (very limited mobility in all four limbs) so that is accurate. Nothing else about this story is, though--he's not dead. Who are your "sources"?
Such a tragedy!
Why won't people realize sucide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
At least the loser did something right !
He's been paralyzed since he was 18 and lost all of his family by he was 25. Not all of us have the strength to carry such burdens.
Who?
I have made an examination, Examiner.. you should examine your stories before you just post them. He was PARAPLEGIC, NOT QUAD! Wow, way to not know the difference! If he were a QUAD, HE WOULDNT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HOLD A GUITAR, MUCH LESS PLAY IT!
Apologies, but I didn't start the rumors. I read multiple reports, including local Athens sources, that Vic had died, and wrote the article with great sadness, as I am a big fan of his. I have corrected the story.
God Bless Vic Chesnutt
why was my comment deleted? because I said you were irresponsibly repoting falsehoods? lame.
Whether Vic is in a coma or dead, it's still a sad, sad thing. Personal attacks don't serve any purpose. Mea culpa on mis-reporting (see my comment below). Apparently, one Henry Owings reported Chesnutt's death around 10 p.m. last night, and the story got picked up by many sources, including myself. Sorry you're so angry. I'm going offline, so have at it. Better yet, listen to some of Vic's music and celebrate his talent.
This is the first place I've read that Mr. Chestnutt is in a coma.
There were many reports in the media about the death of Vic Chestnutt. While I did not read the original article here, I can only assume Mr. Dobies was alerting his readers to some tragic news. He has since corrected the errors. That's really all you can do. The mis-reporting in the media is a story in itself.
Hopefully Mr. Dobies will be enjoying the rest of the day.
Harold Lepidus, Bob Dylan Examiner
You haven't got a shred of journalistic responsibility or even common sense. Your previous post said "sources confirm" which made it sound like you had done some reporting. In reality you had no sources and no confirmation. You wrote a puffed up piece that made it sound like this was a news story when it was a parrot-person repeating a rumor. The right thing to do would have been to say "Others are reporting he is dead" and to link to those reports. Or you, know, confirm it yourself. And now you should correct your post to say that it was wrong originally and you regret the error, not change it to try to hide your error. What an irresponsible jerk.
It was not a rumor. His coma was reported earlier in the week --use google not righteous indignation dude.
And his death earlier today:
artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/25/vic-chesnutt-singer-dies
So sad - my condolences to his family and friends.
Who ?
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!