6 years ago today (12/25/09), Athens based singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt died from an overdose of muscle relaxants that had left him in a coma in an Athens hospital. In his final interview, which aired on National Public Radio 24 days before his death, Chesnutt said that he had “attempted suicide three or four times [before]. It didn’t take.”
Although he was partially paralyzed, Chesnutt released 17 albums during his career, including two produced by Michael Stipe, and a 1996 release on Capitol Records, About to Choke, along with being a frequent collaborator with Widespread Panic under the name of brute. Chesnutt also wrote “Aunt Avis” and co-wrote “Blight”, “Protein-Drink/Sewing-Machine”, which are often performed live by Panic. Listen to Chesnutt perform “Flirted With You All My Life” live from 11/5/09, a song that details his earlier attempts at death.
