Died On This Date (December 25, 2009) Vic Chesnutt / Acclaimed Singer-Songwriter
themusicsover Vic Chesnutt
November 12, 1964 – December 25, 2009
Vic Chesnutt was a respected singer-songwriter from the Athens, Georgia area. Chesnutt began writing songs when he was just five years old. He’s one of those rare talents that was rightfully called a songwriter’s songwriter. When he was 18, Chesnutt was involved in a car accident that left him confined to a wheelchair and in need of medical care through the rest of his life. His big break came in the late ’80s when R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe discovered his talent and produced his first two albums. Over the course of his career, he released over a dozen studio albums. In 1996, artists like Madonna, R.E.M., and the Smashing Pumpkins came together to record his songs for an album that was to help him with his skyrocketing medical bills. Ironically, he wasn’t eligible to collect the funds since he had medical insurance. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to cover the expenses. On December 24, 2009, Vic Chesnutt was reported to have been in a coma following an overdose of muscle relaxants. He died on Christmas Day at the age of 45.
What You Should Own
Tony Bellamy is best remembered as the one-time lead guitarist for the Native American rock band, Redbone. Formed in 1969, the band achieved its most success during the early ’70s. In 1974 they scored their biggest hit single with “Come and Get Your Love,” which reached the top 5 on the Billboard singles chart. Prior to his days with Redbone, Bellamy played with Dobie Gray and the pre-Moby Grape band, Peter and the Wolves. He left Redbone in 1977 and went on to form his own group, Bimbam. He reunited with Redbone for special events in later years. Tony Bellamy was 69 when he died of liver failure on Christmas Day, 2009. 
Tim Hart is best remembered as a founding member of British electric folk band, Steeleye Span, who released a handful of moderately successful albums while Hart was in the group between 1970 and 1982. He played guitar and sang for the band while writing some of their more traditional sounding songs. In later years, Hart released a handful of solo releases included two children’s albums. In late 2008, he was diagnosed with lung cancer which caused his death on December 24, 2009. Tim Hart was 61 years old when he died.
