The Hotel Raffaello where Mikey Welsh, former bassist for Weezer, was found dead. (Kamil Krzaczynski/INFphoto.com)
CHICAGO — Mikey Welsh, former bassist for the rock band Weezer, died from a suspected drug overdose Saturday in Chicago — after predicting the exact location and time of his own death on Twitter just weeks ago.
Welsh, 40, was found dead Saturday afternoon in a Chicago hotel room, the Chicago Tribune reported. Staff found him unresponsive on the floor of his room when he failed to check out, according to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Laura Kubiak.
An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday and police are investigating his death.
On September 26, Welsh wrote on Twitter, ‘dreamt i died in chicago next weekend (heart attack in my sleep). need to write my will today.’ before adding, ‘correction – the weekend after next.’
Weezer said in a statement on its website that Welsh was in the city for the Chicago RiotFest to see his former band play.
Welsh, who performed on the album “Weezer” — which was better known as the “Green Album” and included hits “Hash Pipe” and “Island in the Sun” — had left the band after suffering a nervous breakdown, according to the band’s statement.
“It saddens me and the guys in Weezer so much to say that our beautiful, creative, hilarious and sweet friend Mikey Welsh has passed away at the very young age of 40,” the band’s statement read.
“A unique talent, a deeply loving friend and father, and a great artist is gone, but we will never forget him. His chapter in the weezer story (’98-’01) 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. If it rocked, he had to try it — and he always found a way to pull it off.
“We will miss him terribly. Our deepest heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends. The world has lost a truly one of a kind guy.”
Welsh played bass for Weezer from 1998 until 2001. After he left the band he worked as an artist.
“I really feel the need to reinvent myself and move on, and I couldn’t be happier painting,” he said in a 2002 interview with MetroWest Daily News. “Music is still an important part of my life, but I really have no desire to actually play it.”
Weezer’s current bassist, Scott Shriner, tweeted early Sunday he was “really bummed about Mikey.” He said Welsh “made a special mark on the world with his art.”
The band was scheduled to play in Chicago Sunday night and on their website said the show would go ahead.
“Mikey would never want the rock stopped on his account — quite the contrary in fact. While we won’t see him, we know he will be there rocking out with us!” the band’s statement read.
Weezer was founded in 1992 by lead singer Rivers Cuomo. They have released nine full-length albums and have sold more than nine million records in the United States.