May 05, 2009 8:04 EDT
Wilco's Jeff Tweedy is being sued by former keyboard player Jay Bennett.
A former member of Wilco is suing the band's lead singer, claiming he's owed royalties for songs during his seven years and five albums with the group.
Jay Bennett also claims in the breach-of-contract lawsuit filed Monday against singer Jeff Tweedy that he deserves money from the band's 2002 documentary, "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart." The film documents the making of Wilco's album "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot."
Bennett worked as a sound engineer and played instruments for the band from 1994 to 2001, according to the lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court, which asks for at least $50,000 in damages.
The lawsuit said Bennett was compensated but only in "infrequent partial payments" equal to 15 percent of Wilco's income from sales and performances.
"As a recording musician in Wilco, Bennett is entitled to compensation for his services rendered in the form of continuing and perpetual artist royalty payments from" Tweedy, according to the lawsuit.
There was no immediate response to an e-mail sent Monday after business hours to Tweedy and Wilco's management company, Tony Margherita Management.
Bennett worked on the albums "Being There," "Summerteeth," "Mermaid Avenue," "Mermaid Avenue Vol. II" and "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot," the lawsuit said.
Jay Bennett also claims in the breach-of-contract lawsuit filed Monday against singer Jeff Tweedy that he deserves money from the band's 2002 documentary, "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart." The film documents the making of Wilco's album "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot."
Bennett worked as a sound engineer and played instruments for the band from 1994 to 2001, according to the lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court, which asks for at least $50,000 in damages.
The lawsuit said Bennett was compensated but only in "infrequent partial payments" equal to 15 percent of Wilco's income from sales and performances.
"As a recording musician in Wilco, Bennett is entitled to compensation for his services rendered in the form of continuing and perpetual artist royalty payments from" Tweedy, according to the lawsuit.
There was no immediate response to an e-mail sent Monday after business hours to Tweedy and Wilco's management company, Tony Margherita Management.
Bennett worked on the albums "Being There," "Summerteeth," "Mermaid Avenue," "Mermaid Avenue Vol. II" and "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot," the lawsuit said.
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