Greg Kot - Wilco: Learning How to Die

Without the cooperation of Wilco, this book would not have been possible, and I am grateful to them. From the outset, Jeff Tweedy and his bandmates, past and presentLeroy Bach, Jay Bennett, Ken Coomer, Bob Egan, Max Johnston, Mikael Jorgensen, Glenn Kotche, and John Stirratt were unfailingly generous with their time and forthcoming with their answers despite my sometimes intrusive questions. Not once did they seek to read, steer, or impede my efforts, even though I explored a number of delicate subjects that they had rarely, if ever, publicly discussed before.

Dozens of people inside and outside the worlds of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo went above and beyond in aiding my research. I am especially grateful to Bob and Jo Ann Tweedy, and to Sue Miller, for opening their homes and their archives to me. Tony Margherita also shared hours of conversation, provided leads, and paved the way for interviews crucial to rounding out the bands story. To everyone I interviewed for this book (including several whose quotations do not appear anywhere within the text but provided invaluable background information or confirmed certain details) my sincerest thanks: Michael Ackerman, Bob Andrews, Bill Bentley, David Bither, Peter Blackstock, Billy Bragg, Gary Briggs, Peter Buck, Edward Burch, Richard Byrne, Joe Camel, Andy Cirzan, Daniel Corrigan, Wayne Coyne, Heather Crist, David Dethrow, Jay Farrar, Wade Farrar, Rick Gershon, Darin Gray, Josh Grier, Nora Guthrie, Mike Heidorn, Brian Henneman, Matt Hickey Sam Jones, David Kahne, Chris King, Howie Klein, Peter Koepke, Paul Q. Kolderie, Gary Louris, Scott McCaughey Joe McEwen, Bob Merlis, Nick Miller, Mike Mills, Thurston Moore, Jim ORourke, Jeff Pachman, Jonathan Parker, Frank Riley Elliot Roberts, Eric Rujanitz, Nick Sakes, Rene Sailer, Steve Scariano, Sean Slade, Laurie Stirratt, Ken Waagner, Janet Weiss, and Neil Young.

Thanks also to my small but dedicated team of researchers and assistants, especially Sandy Travers, who transcribed endless hours of interviews, and Chris Castaneda, who tracked down countless hours of Wilco and Loose Fur concert tape that affirmed and sometimes debunked the fuzzy recollections of those involved. Also devoting time or offering research assistance to this effort were Jason Saldana, Cheryl Weissman, Jeff Sabatini, Donna Murphy, John Jackson at Sony Legacy, Daniel Durchholz, John Bitzer, Deb Bernardini, David Morrison, Marty Perez, Joshua Klein, Matthew Lurie, Andy Downing, and my Chicago Tribune colleagues Stacey Wescott and Jennifer Fletcher.

David Dunton was a good friend long before he was my agent, and his judgment and counsel have been invaluable. Regina Joskow Dunton was among the first to plant the idea that I could and should be writing books about our mutual passion, music. Gerry Howard was every bit the editor he was cracked up to be and more, and I thank him for shepherding this project at Dou-bleday Broadway. Beth Haymaker offered valuable comments and guidance on the manuscript when I needed them most.

The writers and editors I admire and count as friends are far too numerous to mention, but I would especially like to cite the following for their advice, inspiration, and prose: Jim Higgins, Tom Moon, the late New York Times critic and blues scholar Robert Palmer, Ira Robbins, Jack Rabid, and Greil Marcus (thank you, Greil, for Mystery Train). That goes double for Jim DeRogatis: I couldnt ask for a worthier counterpart, even as we butt heads on everythingincluding Wilco.

All my colleagues and editors, past and present, at the Chicago Tribune, especially Jim Warren, Scott Powers, and Gary Dretzka, set a high standard for journalism that I am still striving to attain.

Finally, my admiration for my parents, Len and June, deepens with every year. This book is as much a product of their values as mine. The pride my parents-in-law, Dan and Pat Lyons, took in this effort has not gone unnoticed. My wifes uncle Denny Coll believed in this endeavor even before I did. My daughters, Katie and Marissa, made sure I made my deadlines by asking me nearly every day how the book was coming along. My wife, Deb, supported this effort in countless ways, big and small, that were beyond selfless. She not only stood by her man; she propped him up on many occasions. More than anyone else, this book is for her.