Ex-Weezer Bassist Mikey Welsh Found Dead Aged Forty

Former Weezer bassist Mikey Welsh has died at the age of forty this weekend.

Welsh passed away "unexpectedly" on Saturday (October 8), when he was found unresponsive on his hotel room floor.

A statement released by his family said: ''We are deeply saddened to announce that Mikey Welsh passed away unexpectedly. He will forever be remembered as an amazing father, artist, and friend. May he rest in peace.

Weezer paid their respects over Twitter: "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."

Walsh joined Weezer in 2000 replacing original bassist Matt Sharp. In 2001 he suffered a mental breakdown and later attempted suicide before he quit the band.

Speaking in 2001, Walsh told MetroWest Daily: "I'm taking a break from music. 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 cause of Welsh's death is yet to be determined.

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