View source for Jeff Tweedy

{{Short description|American musician (born 1967)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = Jeff Tweedy
| image            = Jeff Tweedy 20120122-00075 (33423676505).jpg
| image_upright    = 
| image_size       = 
| landscape        = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt              = 
| caption          = Tweedy performing in 2012
| background       = solo_singer
| birth_name       = Jeffrey Scot Tweedy
| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1967|8|25}}
| birth_place      = [[Belleville, Illinois]], U.S.
| genre            = {{hlist|[[Alternative country]]|[[alternative rock]]|[[indie rock]]|[[country rock]]}}
| occupation       = {{hlist|Musician|singer|songwriter|author|record producer}}
| instrument       = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|bass|harmonica|programming}}
| years_active     = 1984–present
| label            = {{hlist|Giant/Rockville|[[Sire Records|Sire]]|[[Reprise Records|Reprise]]|[[Nonesuch Records|Nonesuch]]|[[Drag City (record label)|Drag City]]|[[Dbpm Records|dBpm]]}}
| current_member_of = {{hlist|[[Wilco]]|[[Golden Smog]]|[[Tweedy (band)|Tweedy]]}}
| past_member_of   = {{hlist|[[Uncle Tupelo]]|[[The Minus 5]]|[[Loose Fur]]|The Racoonists}}
| module          = {{Infobox person|embed=yes
 | signature       = Jeff Tweedy signature, Billboard Open Letter 2016.png
 }}
}}
'''Jeffrey Scot Tweedy''' (born August 25, 1967) is an American musician, singer songwriter, author, and record producer best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band [[Wilco]]. Tweedy, originally from [[Belleville, Illinois]], began his music career in high school with his band The Plebes along with [[Jay Farrar]], also in the band. The Plebes later became the [[alternative country]] band [[Uncle Tupelo]]. 

After Uncle Tupelo broke up Tweedy formed Wilco which found critical and commercial success, most notably with ''[[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]]'' and ''[[A Ghost Is Born]]''. The latter received a [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album|Best Alternative Album]] in 2005.

During his career Tweedy has released 20 studio albums including [[Uncle Tupelo#Discography|four with Uncle Tupelo]], [[Wilco discography#Studio albums|twelve with Wilco]], [[Sukierae|one with his son Spencer]], [[Together at Last|a solo acoustic album]], three solo studio albums, along with numerous collaborations with other musicians, most notably ''[[Mermaid Avenue]]'' with [[Billy Bragg]].<ref name="Kot-LHTD-2004">{{cite book|last1=Kot|first1=Greg|title=Wilco : Learning How To Die|url=https://archive.org/details/wilcolearninghowt00kotg|url-access=registration|date=2004|publisher=Broadway Books|location=New York, N.Y.|isbn=978-0-767-91558-8|edition=1.}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes-RockStar-2009">{{cite news|last1=Carr|first1=David|title=Torture-Free but Still a Rock Star|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/arts/music/05carr.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 1, 2009|archive-date=August 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821090505/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/arts/music/05carr.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Tweedy was born in [[Belleville, Illinois|Belleville]] on August 25, 1967,<ref name=FamilySearch>{{cite web|title=Jeff S Tweedy: United States Public Records, 1970–2009|url=https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KL3T-1W8|website=[[FamilySearch]]|access-date=August 20, 2014}}</ref> the fourth child of Bob and JoAnn Tweedy (née Werkmeister).<ref name=SunTimes-GregTweedy-obit-2013>{{cite news|last1=O'Donnell|first1=Maureen|title=Greg Tweedy, 55, railroad man, brother of Wilco founder, dies|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/obituaries/22315588-418/greg-tweedy-55-railroad-man-brother-of-wilco-founder.html#.U_RUX7xdXXE|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=September 2, 2013}}</ref> Bob Tweedy (died August 4, 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/belleville/obituary.aspx?n=robert-l-tweedy&pid=186298161&fhid=4962|title=Robert L. Tweedy's Obituary on Belleville News-Democrat|website=Belleville News-Democrat|access-date=2017-08-06|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162254/https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/belleville/name/robert-tweedy-obituary?id=22012086|url-status=live}}</ref>) worked for [[Alton and Southern Railroad|Alton & Southern Railroad]] in [[East St. Louis, Illinois|East St. Louis]]; JoAnn was a kitchen designer.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|11–15}} Tweedy grew up with three siblings, older brother Greg Tweedy (he died in 2013), brother Steven Tweedy, and sister Debbie Voll.<ref name=SunTimes-GregTweedy-obit-2013 />

Tweedy's mother bought him his first guitar when he was six years old, although he did not begin to play it seriously until he was twelve. Apparently Tweedy told people that he knew how to play the guitar once he got his first guitar, even though he did not know how to play. 

When he was twelve, Tweedy was injured in a bicycle accident and was laid up for the summer. He decided to learn how to play a few chords before somebody "called him out" on the lie.<ref name="Kot-LHTD-2004" /> On an appearance of ''[[The Late Show with Stephen Colbert]]'', he remembered attending an [[X (American band)|X]] concert as a youngster in [[St. Louis]]. [[The Replacements (band)|The Replacements]] opened, and [[Paul Westerberg]], their guitarist and vocalist, fell off the stage while performing. Tweedy recalls thinking "That looks like fun!"<ref>{{cite video| title="Songs Can Bypass Our Intellect" - Jeff Tweedy On His New Book About Music| work=The Late Show With Stephen Colbert| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qdjkvly-o3E}}</ref>

In 1981, when Tweedy was fourteen years old, he befriended [[Jay Farrar]] during an English class at [[Belleville Township High School West]].<ref name="Kot-LHTD-2004" />{{rp|10}} All of the members of Farrar's family enjoyed playing music; he already knew [[rock and roll]] music very well. By that time, Tweedy was a fan of [[The Ramones]] and [[country music]] while Farrar enjoyed [[The Sex Pistols]].<ref name="NYTimes-LHTD-2004">{{cite news|last=Klein|first=Joe|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/13/books/alt-country-roads.html|title=Alt-Country Roads: Wilco, Learning How to Die|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 13, 2004|access-date=November 29, 2012|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162252/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/13/books/alt-country-roads.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Tweedy attended [[Belleville Area College]] and [[Southern Illinois University Edwardsville]].<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />

== Career ==

=== Early music ===

In the early 1980s, Tweedy joined The Plebes, a [[rockabilly]] band, with brothers Wade and Dade Farrar which Tweedy joined in order to qualify for a battle of the bands competition. They won.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|10,17}}<ref name=OptionMag-HeartCountry-1993>{{cite news|last1=Fine|first1=Jason|title=Heart of the Country|url=http://www.gumbopages.com/music/uncle-tupelo/text/heart_of_the_country.html|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=[[Option (music magazine)|Option]]|date=Nov–Dec 1993|location=The Gumbo Pages|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162254/https://www.gumbopages.com/music/uncle-tupelo/text/heart_of_the_country.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Tweedy pushed The Plebes away from the rockabilly music that they had been playing, which caused Dade Farrar to leave the band. The band renamed themselves The Primatives in 1984, taking their name from a song by [[garage rock]] band The Groupies.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|18}}<ref>The band was also known as The Primatives due to a misprint on their business cards</ref> Wade Farrar sang lead vocals and played harmonica, Jay Farrar played guitar, Tweedy played bass guitar, and [[Mike Heidorn]] played drums. In late 1986, the band decided to change their name to Uncle Tupelo, because a more popular British band was also using the name "[[The Primitives]]".<ref name=NoDepression-liner-notes-2003>{{cite web|last1=Heidorn|first1=Mike|title=Liner notes for No Depression (2003 reissue)|url=http://www.factorybelt.net/nd_notes.htm|website=Factory Belt|access-date=August 20, 2014|date=January 2003|archive-date=January 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123082925/http://www.factorybelt.net/nd_notes.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The Primatives went on hiatus in 1986 after Wade Farrar left the band to finish his engineering degree at Southern Illinois University.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|22}} While waiting for Wade to return from campus, Farrar, Tweedy, and Heidorn formed Uncle Tupelo.

=== Uncle Tupelo (1987–1994) ===
{{main|Uncle Tupelo}}
At his parents' request, Tweedy attended several universities, but dropped out of all of them to concentrate on Uncle Tupelo. While [[wiktionary:moonlight|moonlighting]] as a record store clerk at Euclid Records in St. Louis,<ref name=RiverfrontTimes-SolidSoundFest-2011>{{cite news |last=Zaleski |first=Annie |url=http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/rftmusic/2011/01/euclid_records_wilco_solid_sound_festival_2011_pop-up_store.php |title=Euclid Records Having a "Pop-Up Store" at Wilco's Solid Sound Festival |work=[[Riverfront Times]] |date=January 19, 2011 |access-date=November 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821022731/http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/rftmusic/2011/01/euclid_records_wilco_solid_sound_festival_2011_pop-up_store.php |archive-date=August 21, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=StLouisMag-Redemption-2011>{{cite news |url=http://www.stlmag.com/St-Louis-Magazine/September-2011/Wilcos-Jeff-Tweedy-Finds-Redemption-in-Music/ |title=Wilco's Jeff Tweedy Finds Redemption in Music |work=[[St. Louis Magazine]] |date=September 2011 |access-date=November 29, 2012 |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162257/https://www.stlmag.com/Wilcos-Jeff-Tweedy-Finds-Redemption-in-Music/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Tweedy met Tony Margherita. After Margherita saw the band perform at an acoustic concert in 1988, he decided to become the band's manager. The band began playing regular shows at Cicero's basement bar in the [[Delmar Loop]] near [[Washington University in St. Louis]] with other bands playing in a similar style.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|24–26}}<ref name=NoDepression-liner-notes-2003 /> Uncle Tupelo recorded a ten-track demo tape entitled ''Not Forever, Just For Now'' in 1989, attracting the attention of [[Giant Records (Warner)|Giant/Rockville Records]]. The independent label signed the band, and Uncle Tupelo's first album, ''[[No Depression (album)|No Depression]]'', was released the next year.<ref name=NoDepression-liner-notes-2003 /> The [[No Depression in Heaven|title song]], originally performed by the [[Carter Family]], became strongly associated with the [[alternative country]] scene, and became the name of an influential alternative country periodical called ''[[No Depression (magazine)|No Depression]].''

During times when Uncle Tupelo was not touring, Tweedy and Farrar played as Coffee Creek, a short-lived cover band with [[The Bottle Rockets]]' [[Brian Henneman]] and Mark Ortmann.<ref name=Request-AreYouReady-1993>{{cite news|last1=Durchholz|first1=Daniel|title=Are You Ready for the Country?|url=http://www.gumbopages.com/music/uncle-tupelo/text/are_you_ready.html|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=Request Magazine|date=November 1993|location=The Gumbo Pages|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162256/https://www.gumbopages.com/music/uncle-tupelo/text/are_you_ready.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Around this time, Tweedy began developing problems with alcohol, leading to tensions between Tweedy and Farrar. While he never refused to play a gig, Tweedy was forced to sit out in place of Henneman at some performances. Tweedy quit drinking entirely after meeting future wife Sue Miller, although he replaced this habit with smoking [[cannabis (drug)|marijuana]]. However, after developing a dependence on marijuana, he quickly quit using it, as well.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|51–53,95}} After releasing ''[[Still Feel Gone]]'', the band formed a friendship with [[Peter Buck]] of [[R.E.M.]], who produced their third album ''[[March 16–20, 1992]]'' for free.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 /> Uncle Tupelo left the Rockville label in favor of [[Sire Records]] ([[Warner Brothers|Warner]]) later in 1992 because Rockville refused to pay the band any royalties for their albums.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|72}} After the signing, [[Max Johnston (musician)|Max Johnston]] and [[John Stirratt]] joined the band as Mike Heidorn was replaced by Bill Belzer who was later replaced by [[Ken Coomer]].<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|74–75}} The five-piece band recorded ''[[Anodyne (album)|Anodyne]]'', which sold over 150,000 copies and debuted at number 18 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Top Heatseekers|Heatseekers]] chart, but was the last album Uncle Tupelo released.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|80}}<ref name=Billboard-Heatseekers-1993>{{cite magazine|title=Heatseekers|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=October 23, 1993}}</ref>

==== Breakup ====
In January 1994, Farrar called Tony Margherita to tell him that the band was breaking up, saying that he was not having any fun in the band anymore and was not getting along with Tweedy. Tweedy was enraged that Farrar decided to break up the band without notifying him, and this led to a series of harsh verbal exchanges. Farrar and Tweedy agreed to a final Uncle Tupelo tour, but the concerts were marred by the two not participating in each other's songs. The band decided to play Tweedy's "The Long Cut" on ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]'', which further distanced Farrar and Tweedy.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|80–84}} Farrar began to assemble a new band named [[Son Volt]] with Mike Heidorn, bassist Jim Boquist, and his brother Dave Boquist. At the same time, Jeff Tweedy formed [[Wilco]] with Stirratt, Johnston, and Coomer.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|88,90}}

=== Wilco (1995–present) ===
{{main|Wilco}}
In 1994, Tweedy formed [[Wilco]] with [[John Stirratt]], [[Max Johnston (musician)|Max Johnston]], and [[Ken Coomer]]. Wilco has released twelve albums and found commercial success with their albums ''[[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]]'', ''[[A Ghost Is Born]]'', ''[[Sky Blue Sky]]'' and ''[[Wilco (The Album)|Wilco]]''. The band also released two collaboration albums with [[Billy Bragg]] and one with [[The Minus 5]]. Jeff Tweedy has been the recipient of two [[Grammy Awards]], including Best Alternative Album for ''A Ghost Is Born''. Tweedy has also participated in a number of side groups including [[Golden Smog]] and [[Loose Fur]], published a book of poems, and released a DVD of solo performances. He was originally influenced by punk and country music, but has later reflected more experimental themes in his music.

[[File:Wilco - Roskilde Festival 2007.jpg|alt=|thumb|Tweedy singing with Wilco in 2007]]
Wilco signed with [[Reprise Records|Reprise]]/[[Warner Records|Warner Bros. Records]] and began recording ''[[A.M. (Wilco album)|AM]]'' almost as soon as the band was formed.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|89–91}} After recording, Tweedy was introduced to [[Jay Bennett]], who then joined the band. Also during this time, Tweedy quit smoking marijuana after a particularly bad experience with some [[cannabis brownie]]s.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|94–96}} ''A.M.'' did not fare as well commercially in comparison to Son Volt's first album, only reaching number 27 on the Heatseekers chart while Son Volt's debut ''[[Trace (Son Volt album)|Trace]]'' hit the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref name=Billboard-Heatseekers-1995>{{cite magazine|title=Heatseekers|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=April 15, 1995}}</ref><ref name=Billboard-SonVolt>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/son-volt/chart-history/|title=Artist Chart History – Son Volt|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 29, 2006|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162256/https://www.billboard.com/c/music/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dan Murphy (musician)|Dan Murphy]] of [[Soul Asylum]] invited Tweedy to join him in a supergroup named [[Golden Smog]] with [[Gary Louris]] and Marc Perlman of the [[Jayhawks (band)|Jayhawks]], Kraig Johnson of Run Westy Run, and Noah Levy of [[The Honeydogs]]. Under the pseudonym Scott Summit, Tweedy released ''[[Down by the Old Mainstream]]'' with Golden Smog in 1996.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|105–106}}

Tweedy and Wilco began to explore new styles and broke from the style of previous recordings on the seminal sprawling double album ''[[Being There (Wilco album)|Being There]]'' in 1996. Tweedy did not write music for many of the songs ahead of time, and welcomed unexpected sounds into the recording. Wilco recorded nineteen songs for the double-CD album, and wanted the label to release it with a retail price comparable to a single-CD release.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|113,116}} ''Being There'' was a commercial success, selling 300,000 copies and peaking in the top half of the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/wilco/chart-history/|title=Artist Chart History – Wilco (albums)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 29, 2006|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162258/https://www.billboard.com/artist/wilco/chart-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> Reprise records invested $100,000 in the single "Outta Mind (Outtasite)", but received little radio exposure.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|125}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/wilco/chart-history/|title=Artist Chart History – Wilco (singles)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 29, 2006|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162258/https://www.billboard.com/artist/wilco/chart-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> While on tour, Tweedy began to spend time reading books by [[William H. Gass]], [[Henry Miller]], and [[John Fante]]. As he read their books, Tweedy decided to place more of an emphasis on writing.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|136}} Representatives in the A&R department of Reprise wanted a radio single from ''Summerteeth'', and Wilco reluctantly agreed to a re-working of "[[Can't Stand It]]". The single was a top five hit on [[adult album alternative]] radio stations, but failed to cross over to a larger audience.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|162–167}}

Before the release of ''Summerteeth'', the daughter of the late folk legend Woody Guthrie contacted [[folk rock]] singer [[Billy Bragg]], who in turn contacted Tweedy about recording an album of unreleased [[Woody Guthrie]] songs. Tweedy was indifferent to the idea of working with Bragg, but Jay Bennett's enthusiasm about the idea convinced Tweedy to get the band involved in the project. As a result of Tweedy's feelings on the political nature of some of the lyrics, Bragg recorded mostly political songs while Wilco recorded more neutral songs. Almost all of the songs that appeared on ''[[Mermaid Avenue]]'' and ''[[Mermaid Avenue Vol. II]]'' were recorded over a six-day period in December 1997.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|142–145}} The first ''Mermaid Avenue'' album and a second Golden Smog album (''[[Weird Tales (album)|Weird Tales]]'') were released in 1998, ''Summerteeth'' was released in early 1999, and ''Mermaid Avenue Vol. II'' was released in 2000. Tweedy received his first Grammy nomination when ''Mermaid Avenue'' was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album]] in 1999.<ref name=MilwaukeeJournalSentinel-Grammys-1999>{{cite news|last1=Associated Press|title=Fugees phenom Lauryn Hill gets 10 Grammy nominations|url=http://www2.jsonline.com/enter/daily/0106grammys.asp?format=print|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]|date=January 6, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513171703/http://www2.jsonline.com/enter/daily/0106grammys.asp?format=print|archive-date=May 13, 2007}}</ref>

==== ''Yankee Hotel Foxtrot'' ====
[[File:Wilco MassMoca AustinNelson.jpg|left|thumb|Wilco at MassMoca]]
Jeff Tweedy was invited to play at Chicago's Noise Pop festival, and was told that he could collaborate with a musician of his choosing. Tweedy chose [[Jim O'Rourke (musician)|Jim O'Rourke]] based on his fascination with O'Rourke's ''[[Bad Timing (Jim O'Rourke album)|Bad Timing]]'' album. O'Rourke offered to bring drummer [[Glenn Kotche]] to the festival, and the trio formed a side project named [[Loose Fur]]. The other band members of Wilco had written a number of songs for ''[[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]]'', but Tweedy was unsatisfied with them because he believed that the songs did not sound like the ones he played with Loose Fur. Tweedy became such a fan of Kotche's playing style that he decided to dismiss Ken Coomer from the band in favor of Kotche.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|176–183,188}} Tweedy had strong feelings about how songs should be sequenced, which clashed with Jay Bennett's focus on the songs themselves. Because Bennett was mixing the album, this led to a series of arguments between songs about how the album should sound. Tweedy asked O'Rourke to remix several songs on the album that had been mixed by Bennett, which caused tensions within the band to escalate. The album was completed in June 2001, and Tweedy was insistent that it was in its final form.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|197–200}}<ref name=IATTBYH-Documentary-2006>{{cite book|last1=Jones|first1=Sam|title=I Am Trying To Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco|date=2006|publisher=Plexigroup|location=New York|oclc=68940599}}</ref> Tweedy also fired Bennett around this time, believing (according to Bennett) that Wilco should only have one core member.<ref name=IATTBYH-Documentary-2006 /> The band maintains that the firing of Bennett was a collective decision.<ref name=Pitchfork-Interview-2007>{{cite news|last1=Crock|first1=Jason|title=Interviews: Wilco|url=http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/6602-wilco/|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]|date=May 7, 2007|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162803/https://pitchfork.com/features/interview/6602-wilco/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Reprise Records' parent company [[Time Warner]] merged with [[America Online]] in 2001, and the recording company was asked to cut costs. [[Howie Klein]], the CEO of Reprise Records, considered Wilco to be one of the label's core bands, but was offered a lucrative buy-out by AOL Time Warner. Reprise did not consider the album commercially viable and was not interested in releasing the album. David Kahne (Head of A&R) agreed to release Wilco from Reprise under the condition that Wilco got to keep all legal entitlements to the ''Yankee Hotel Foxtrot'' album.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|201–207}}<ref name=IATTBYH-Documentary-2006 /> After an article in the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' publicly described these managerial practices, CEO Gary Briggs quit.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|208–209}} Shortly after leaving the label, Briggs remarked:

{{centered pull quote|It [dropping Wilco from the label] should never have happened. One of the most embarrassing moments in my career at Warner Brothers was the day they let Wilco go. It broke my heart, and it told me that I no longer have a home there.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|208–209}}}}

''Yankee Hotel Foxtrot'' was originally scheduled to be released on Reprise on September 11, 2001, prior to the band's departure from Reprise. Seven days later, Tweedy decided that he would stream the entirety of ''Yankee Hotel Foxtrot'' on Wilco's official website.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|225}} Over thirty record labels offered to release ''Yankee Hotel Foxtrot'' after the departure from Reprise was official.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kot|first=Greg|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-0108150038aug15.story?coll=chi-leisure-hed|title=Wilco's shot in the arm|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=August 15, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010826133635/http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-0108150038aug15.story?coll=chi-leisure-hed|archive-date=August 26, 2001}}</ref> One of the thirty was Warner Brothers affiliate [[Nonesuch Records]], who signed Wilco in November 2001. AOL Time Warner paid Wilco to make the album on Reprise, gave them the record for free, and then bought it back on the Nonesuch label.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|209–210}} The album was released on April 23, 2002 to significant critical acclaim, including being named the best album of the year by ''[[The Village Voice]]''.<ref name=Pitchfork-YHF-2002>{{cite web|last=Sirota|first=Bent|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/23177/Wilco_Yankee_Hotel_Foxtrot|title=Wilco: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot: Pitchfork Record Review|date=April 22, 2002|work=[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]|access-date=December 21, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061031092741/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/23177/Wilco_Yankee_Hotel_Foxtrot|archive-date=October 31, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=VillageVoice-PazzJop-2002>{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/specials/pazznjop/02/ |title=Pazz & Jop 2002 |work=[[The Village Voice]] |access-date=December 26, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030220134654/http://www.villagevoice.com/specials/pazznjop/02/ |archive-date=February 20, 2003 }}</ref> The album became the biggest hit of Jeff Tweedy's career and was certified gold by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] for selling over 500,000 copies.<ref name=RIAA-DBsearch-2006>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gp/database/default.asp |title=Gold and Platinum Database Search |website=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |access-date=December 26, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061221102221/http://www.riaa.com/gp/database/default.asp |archive-date=December 21, 2006 }}</ref>

==== ''A Ghost Is Born'' ====
[[File:Jefftweedyps07.jpg|alt=|thumb|Tweedy in 2007]]
[[Scott McCaughey]] contacted Tweedy about recording an album together for a [[The Minus 5]] release. They scheduled a meeting for September 11, 2001, but were reluctant to enter the recording studio after the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|terrorist attacks]]. At night, McCaughey and Tweedy decided to begin recording songs as a way to calm down. A few more tracks were later added to the album with the rest of Wilco, and it was released with the name ''[[Down with Wilco]]'' in 2003.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|220–222}}

In November 2003, Wilco began recording a fifth studio album. Unlike their previous albums, all of the songs were originally performed in the studio and then later adapted for playing at concerts. Wilco released ''[[A Ghost Is Born]]'' on June 22, 2004, and it attained a top ten peak on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref name=MTVNews-Charts-2004>{{cite web|last=D'Angelo|first=Joe|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1489256/20040707/story.jhtml|title=Lloyd Banks' Hunger Debuts At #1; Brandy Settles For #3|work=[[MTV News]]|date=July 7, 2004|access-date=November 29, 2012|archive-date=December 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220232139/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1489256/20040707/story.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album was awarded with Grammy Awards for [[Best Alternative Music Album]] and [[Best Recording Package]] in 2005.<ref name=AP-Grammys-2005>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2005-grammy-award-winners/|title=2005 Grammy Award Winners: Complete List Of 47th Annual Grammy Awards Winners|agency=Associated Press|date=February 13, 2005|work=[[CBS News]]|access-date=December 28, 2006|archive-date=June 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620131904/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/14/in_depth_showbiz/main673822.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> A few weeks before the album's release, Tweedy released a book of forty-three poems entitled ''Adult Head'' on Zoo Press.<ref name=ChicagoSunTimes-Poetic-2004>{{cite news|last=DeRogatis|first=Jim|url=http://www.jimdero.com/News2004/May9RockPoetry.htm|title=Poetic license or verbal abuse?|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=May 9, 2004|access-date=November 29, 2012|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162803/http://www.jimdero.com/News2004/May9RockPoetry.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, the band released their first live album, a two-disc set entitled ''[[Kicking Television: Live in Chicago]]'', recorded at [[The Vic Theater]].<ref>''Kicking Television: Live in Chicago'' liner notes</ref>

==== Later Wilco albums ====
Wilco recorded twelve tracks for a sixth studio album entitled ''[[Sky Blue Sky]]'', which was released on May 15, 2007.<ref name="Billboard-SBS-2007">{{cite news|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|url=http://billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003534789|title=Wilco Soars Into 'Blue Sky' In May|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=January 18, 2007|access-date=November 29, 2012|archive-date=December 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229001122/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003534789|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Sky Blue Sky'' debuted at number four on the ''Billboard'' 200, the band's highest debut yet. It sold over 87,000 copies in its first week of release.<ref name="Billboard-Chart-2007">{{cite news|last=Hasty|first=Katie|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1051972/linkin-park-scores-years-best-debut-with-midnight|title=Linkin Park Scores Year's Best Debut With 'Midnight'|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=May 23, 2007|access-date=November 29, 2012|archive-date=January 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101062240/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1051972/linkin-park-scores-years-best-debut-with-midnight|url-status=live}}</ref>

In early May 2009, former Wilco member [[Jay Bennett]] sued Tweedy for breach of contract.<ref name="MemphisFlyer-LivingLife-2009">{{cite news |last=Lisle |first=Andria |date=2009-05-14 |title=Is Wilco's Jeff Tweedy Living the Life He Sings About? |work=[[Memphis Flyer]] |url=http://www.memphisflyer.com/SingAllKinds/archives/2009/05/14/is-wilcos-jeff-tweedy-living-the-life-he-sings-about |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512084255/https://www.memphisflyer.com/is-wilcos-jeff-tweedy-living-the-life-he-sings-about |archive-date=2021-05-12}}</ref> Bennett died later that month of an apparent accidental overdose of the painkiller [[fentanyl]].<ref name="ChicagoTribune-JayBennett-2009">{{cite news|last1=Kot|first1=Greg|last2=Associated Press|title=Coroner: Painkiller killed ex-Wilco member|url=http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/06/coroner-painkiller-killed-ex-wilco-member.html|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625053327/http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/06/coroner-painkiller-killed-ex-wilco-member.html|archive-date=June 25, 2009}}</ref> In June 2009 Wilco released their seventh studio album ''[[Wilco (The Album)]]'', followed by ''[[The Whole Love]]'' in 2011, [[Star Wars (Wilco album)|''Star Wars'']] in 2015, ''[[Schmilco]]'' in 2016, ''[[Ode to Joy (Wilco album)|Ode to Joy]]'' in 2019, ''[[Cruel Country]]'' in May 2022, and ''[[Cousin (album)|Cousin]]'' in 2023.

=== Other work ===
Jeff Tweedy has performed several solo tours, on which he typically plays acoustic music.  He also recorded the song "Simple Twist of Fate" for the soundtrack to ''[[I'm Not There]]''.<ref name=RollingStone-LoungeAx-1998>{{cite news|last=Josephson|first=Issac|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5920882/jeff_tweedy|title=Jeff Tweedy: Lounge Ax, Chicago, March 26, 1998|work=[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]|date=March 31, 1998|access-date=November 29, 2012}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> On October 24, 2006, Nonesuch Records released ''[[Sunken Treasure: Live in the Pacific Northwest]]'', a live DVD by Tweedy. The disc includes performances and conversations gathered over five nights on Tweedy's February 2006 solo acoustic tour, with footage from concerts at Seattle's Moore Theater, Portland's [[Crystal Ballroom (Portland, Oregon)|Crystal Ballroom]], Eugene's McDonald Theatre, Arcata's Humboldt State University, and [[The Fillmore]] in San Francisco. The DVD was directed by Christoph Green and [[Fugazi]]'s Brendan Canty, the creators of the documentary series ''[[Burn to Shine (DVD series)|Burn to Shine]]''.<ref>''Sunken Treasure: Live in the Pacific Northwest'' liner notes.</ref>

Tweedy has partnered with [[Mavis Staples]] on three acclaimed albums. In 2010 they released ''[[You Are Not Alone (Mavis Staples album)|You Are Not Alone]]'', in 2013, ''[[One True Vine]]'', and in 2017 ''[[If All I Was Was Black]]''. Tweedy played an array of instruments on these albums and wrote many of the songs.<ref name="RollingStone-OneTrueVine-2013">{{cite news|last1=Gross|first1=Joe|title=One True Vine Mavis Staples|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/one-true-vine-20130625|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]|date=June 25, 2013|archive-date=December 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228000311/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/one-true-vine-20130625|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Tweedy worked with the psychedelic-influenced garage rock group [[White Denim]] on their record ''[[Corsicana Lemonade]]'', recording some songs at Wilco's Chicago studio The Loft.<ref name="Relix-WhiteDenim-2013">{{cite news|last1=Greenhaus|first1=Mike|title=White Denim Working on New Studio Album With Jeff Tweedy|url=http://www.relix.com/news/2013/04/02/white-denim-working-on-new-studio-album-with-jeff-tweedy|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=[[Relix Magazine]]|date=April 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130405051252/http://www.relix.com/news/2013/04/02/white-denim-working-on-new-studio-album-with-jeff-tweedy|archive-date=April 5, 2013}}</ref> In 2015 the album ''[[Still (Richard Thompson album)|Still]]'' by [[Richard Thompson (musician)|Richard Thompson]] was released. The album was produced by Tweedy in The Loft Studios and features Tweedy on guitar, keyboards and backing vocals.<ref name="Aqua">{{cite web|url=http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2015/04/28/richard-thompson-beatnik-walking/|title=Richard Thompson :: Beatnik Walking|last=Wilcox|first=Tyler|date=28 April 2015|publisher=Aquarium Drunkard|access-date=29 April 2015|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162806/https://aquariumdrunkard.com/2015/04/28/richard-thompson-beatnik-walking/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Tweedy has appeared as a fictional singer-songwriter on 2014 episodes of ''[[Parks and Recreation]]'' and ''[[Portlandia (TV series)|Portlandia]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/54740-wilcos-jeff-tweedy-reunites-his-fictional-band-on-parks-and-recreation/|title=Wilco's Jeff Tweedy Reunites His (Fictional) Band on "Parks and Recreation" {{!}} Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com|date=April 11, 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-11-20|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162808/https://pitchfork.com/news/54740-wilcos-jeff-tweedy-reunites-his-fictional-band-on-parks-and-recreation/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 4, 2014, it was announced that he had formed a new band called [[Tweedy (band)|Tweedy]] with his son Spencer. The band's debut album ''[[Sukierae]]'' was released on September 16. The release was followed by a world tour in which half of the set consisted of new songs off ''Sukierae'' performed by a touring band including Spencer. The latter half of the set Tweedy plays solo, typically performing Wilco and Uncle Tupelo classics.<ref name="Pitchfork-Sukierae-2014">{{cite news|last1=Pelly|first1=Jenn|last2=Camp|first2=Zoe|title=Wilco's Jeff Tweedy Forms Band With Son, Announces New Album Sukierae, Shares "I'll Sing It"|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/55323-wilcos-jeff-tweedy-announces-new-album-sukierae-shares-ill-sing-it/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606180816/http://pitchfork.com/news/55323-wilcos-jeff-tweedy-announces-new-album-sukierae-shares-ill-sing-it/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 6, 2014|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]|date=June 4, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Grantland-Sukierae-2014">{{cite news|last1=Hyden|first1=Steven|title=How to Fight Loneliness: Why Jeff Tweedy set aside his Wilco responsibilities for his first solo project, which features his drumming son, Spencer|url=http://grantland.com/features/jeff-tweedy-wilco-sukierae-spencer-tweedy/|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=[[Grantland]]|date=August 19, 2014|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162805/http://grantland.com/features/jeff-tweedy-wilco-sukierae-spencer-tweedy/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2017 Jeff Tweedy released a solo acoustic album of eleven songs spanning his career from [[Wilco]], [[Loose Fur]], and [[Golden Smog]] titled ''[[Together at Last]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/jeff-tweedy-together-at-last/|title=Jeff Tweedy: Together at Last Album Review {{!}} Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-30|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162808/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/jeff-tweedy-together-at-last/|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2018 Jeff Tweedy released a memoir titled ''[[Let's Go (So We Can Get Back)]]'' and his first solo album of new material, titled ''[[Warm (Jeff Tweedy album)|Warm]]''.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=2018-09-24|title=Wilco's Jeff Tweedy Previews New Solo LP 'Warm' With First Single 'Some Birds'|language=en-US|magazine=Rolling Stone|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/wilco-jeff-tweedy-warm-some-birds-728227/|access-date=2018-11-26|archive-date=November 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108224627/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/wilco-jeff-tweedy-warm-some-birds-728227/|url-status=live}}</ref> A companion album to ''Warm'' titled ''[[Warmer (Jeff Tweedy album)|Warmer]]'' was released on April 13, 2019, as a [[Record Store Day]] exclusive.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jeff Tweedy: WARMER|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/jeff-tweedy-warmer/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Pitchfork|language=en|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162808/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/jeff-tweedy-warmer/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020 during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] Susan Tweedy and her family created a recurring video series on [[Instagram]] dubbed ''The Tweedy Show'' featuring Jeff and their sons performing original and cover songs.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Baker|first=Peter C.|title=The Talented Tweedy Family|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-talented-tweedy-family|access-date=2020-10-06|magazine=The New Yorker|date=June 25, 2020|language=en-us|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162809/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-talented-tweedy-family|url-status=live}}</ref> During the shelter-in-place Jeff Tweedy also wrote and recorded his third solo album titled ''[[Love Is the King]]'' which was announced to release on October 23, 2020<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ruiz|first=Matthew Ismael|title=Wilco's Jeff Tweedy Announces New Album Love Is the King, Shares New Songs|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/wilcos-jeff-tweedy-announces-new-album-love-is-the-king-shares-new-songs-listen/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Pitchfork|date=September 15, 2020|language=en-us|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162810/https://pitchfork.com/news/wilcos-jeff-tweedy-announces-new-album-love-is-the-king-shares-new-songs-listen/|url-status=live}}</ref> and wrote his second book titled ''How to Write One Song'' which was announced to release on October 13, 2020, on the [[E. P. Dutton]] publishing label.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Blistein|first=Jon|date=2020-08-11|title=Jeff Tweedy Details New Book 'How to Write One Song'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jeff-tweedy-book-how-to-write-one-song-release-1042471/|access-date=2020-10-06|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162809/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jeff-tweedy-book-how-to-write-one-song-release-1042471/|url-status=live}}</ref> His third book, ''World Within a Song'', will be released in November 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Within a Song by Jeff Tweedy: 9780593472521 {{!}} PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714352/world-within-a-song-by-jeff-tweedy/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=PenguinRandomhouse.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Musical style ==
[[File:Tweedy Kotche 2012.jpg|left|thumb|Jeff Tweedy and Glenn Kotche Wilco at Susquehanna Bank Center XPoNential Music Festival 2012]]
Tweedy's musical style has varied over his music career. Tweedy's vocal style is considered nasal, emotional, and raspy, and has been compared to that of [[Neil Young]].<ref name=NYTimes-LHTD-2004 /><ref name=BBC-AGIB-2002>{{cite news|last1=Jones|first1=Chris|title=Wilco – A Ghost Is Born|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/m34h/|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=[[BBC]]|date=November 20, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530034932/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/m34h/|archive-date=May 30, 2008}}</ref> His first exposure to music was through [[gramophone record]]s that his siblings left behind when they attended college, and he particularly liked [[The Beatles]]' [[The Beatles (album)|White Album]]. Tweedy would frequently read issues of magazines such as ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', and began to purchase [[punk rock]] albums such as [[The Clash]]'s ''[[London Calling]]'' and [[X (U.S. band)|X]]'s ''[[Wild Gift]]''. Belleville crowds did not respond well to punk music, so while Tweedy was a member of The Primitives they played covers of [[country music|country]] songs at much faster tempos.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|13–19}}  When Uncle Tupelo formed, the band began composing its own songs influenced by [[Jason & the Scorchers]] and [[The Minutemen (band)|The Minutemen]].<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 /> Wilco's first album shared many musical similarities with the four previous Uncle Tupelo albums, but on ''Being There'', Tweedy began introducing more experimental themes into his music. He claims that he wanted to rebel against the belief spread by the ''No Depression'' magazine that Wilco was primarily a country band.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|110–111}} One of the most influential albums for Tweedy was ''[[Bad Timing (Jim O'Rourke album)|Bad Timing]]'' by Jim O'Rourke, which helped to inspire ''Yankee Hotel Foxtrot'' and ''A Ghost Is Born''.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|176–177}} Tweedy uses a 1957 Gibson J-45 acoustic guitar, as well as a 1965 Fender Jazzmaster, at least three different Telecasters, an Epiphone Casino, a Rickenbacker 360, and a Gibson SG Standard. He has vintage SGs from '62 and '65 as well as a 2007 Custom Shop model and a 2008 Custom Shop Vintage Original Spec (V.O.S.) that are all rigged with Maestro tremolo bars.<ref name=Gibson-Sound-2009>{{cite news|last=Drozdowski|first=Ted|url=http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/ProductSpotlight/Tone-Tips/how-to-get-wilcos-live-420/|title=How to Get Wilco's Live Guitar Sound|work=[[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson]]|date=April 20, 2009|access-date=November 29, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907150018/http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/ProductSpotlight/Tone-Tips/how-to-get-wilcos-live-420/|archive-date=September 7, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> He also has been known to use a Breedlove 000<ref name=GuitarWorld-RadioHead-2002>{{cite news|last=Beaujour|first=Tom|title=Radio Head|work=[[Guitar World]]|date=June 2002}}</ref> and even designed a limited edition 000 for Breedlove in 2007.<ref name=PremierGuitar-Breedlove-2007>{{cite news|title=Breedlove's Jeff Tweedy Guitar|work=[[Premier Guitar]]|date=November 20, 2007}}</ref> His amplifier of choice is a Vox AC30.

== Personal life ==
Tweedy has been prone to having [[migraines]] throughout his life; he has missed as many as forty days of elementary school in one year with the condition.<ref name=Kot-LHTD-2004 />{{rp|50}}<ref name=IATTBYH-Documentary-2006 /> While he attempted to regulate the use of painkillers, he was never able to stop using them for more than five weeks. He attributes that to a [[comorbidity]] with [[major depressive disorder]] and severe [[panic attacks]].<ref name=NYTimes-Migraine-2008>{{cite news | url= http://migraine.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/05/shaking-it-off/ | last= Tweedy | first= Jeff | title= Shaking It Off | work= [[The New York Times]] | date= March 5, 2008 | access-date= May 6, 2010 | archive-date= June 12, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100612015646/http://migraine.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/05/shaking-it-off/ | url-status= live }}</ref> In 2004, he entered a [[dual diagnosis]] rehabilitation clinic in order to receive treatment for an addiction to prescription [[painkiller]] [[Vicodin]].<ref name=Filter-Interview-2004>{{cite news|last=LaGambina|first=Gregg|url=http://www.filter-mag.com/features/interior.46.html|title=The Wilco Interview|work=[[Filter (magazine)|Filter]]|date=August 30, 2004|access-date=November 29, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905165630/http://www.filter-mag.com/features/interior.46.html|archive-date=September 5, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=RollingStone-Rehab-2004>{{cite news |last=Devenish|first=Colin|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5937295/wilcos_jeff_tweedy_in_rehab|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061109084011/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5937295/wilcos_jeff_tweedy_in_rehab/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 9, 2006|title=Wilco's Jeff Tweedy in Rehab|work=[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]|date=April 6, 2004|access-date=November 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Barton|first=Laura|date=2018-11-30|title=Wilco's Jeff Tweedy on addiction, obsession and politics: 'White men are very fragile'|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/nov/30/wilco-jeff-tweedy-addiction-obsession-politics|access-date=2021-03-22|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203050110/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/nov/30/wilco-jeff-tweedy-addiction-obsession-politics|url-status=live}}</ref> Tweedy quit smoking the next year; [[John Stirratt]] claimed afterward that significantly improved the focus of the band.<ref name=ChicagoTribune-Simpler-2007>{{cite news|last=Kot|first=Greg|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/arts/chi-0705111528may13,1,6133788.story?ctrack=1&cset=true|title=Wilco pares down for simpler, more intimate work|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=May 13, 2007|access-date=November 29, 2012|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205162811/https://www.chicagotribune.com/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/featured/wilco-jeff-tweedy-a-ghost-is-born-july-2004-interview-a-ghost-story/|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191127212530/https://www.spin.com/featured/wilco-jeff-tweedy-a-ghost-is-born-july-2004-interview-a-ghost-story/|archive-date = November 27, 2019|title = Wilco: Our 2004 Interview with Jeff Tweedy|date = November 18, 2019}}</ref>

Tweedy is married to former bookkeeper Sue Miller and lives in the [[Irving Park, Chicago|Irving Park]] area of Chicago.<ref name=":1">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/nov/28/wilco-jeff-tweedy-home-shot-chicago|title='A bullet lodged in the door': shots fired at Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy's home|last=Beaumont-Thomas|first=Ben|date=2019-11-28|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-11-28|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205163411/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/nov/28/wilco-jeff-tweedy-home-shot-chicago|url-status=live}}</ref> He first met Miller when he was trying to get Uncle Tupelo booked at [[Cubby Bear]], where Miller worked. Miller also worked in a club in Chicago named [[Lounge Ax]] in 1989, and booked [[Uncle Tupelo]] for 16 shows over four years. They began dating in 1991 and were married on August 9, 1995.<ref name="Kot-LHTD-2004" />{{rp|53,96}} She was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. During a 2015 interview with ''Rolling Stone'', Tweedy said "she's doing great now." 

Tweedy also said that music is a healthy distraction in such difficult times.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Doyle |first1=Patrick |title=Jeff Tweedy on 'Star Wars,' Bob Dylan and Wilco's Next LP |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/jeff-tweedy-on-star-wars-bob-dylan-and-wilcos-next-lp-20150819 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 19, 2015 |access-date=September 1, 2017 |archive-date=October 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006205135/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/jeff-tweedy-on-star-wars-bob-dylan-and-wilcos-next-lp-20150819 |url-status=live }}</ref> They have two sons: [[Spencer Tweedy|Spencer]] and Sam. Spencer was the drummer for pre-teen rock band The Blisters and a new band called Tully Monster.<ref name="ChicagoTribune-EricZorn-2005">{{cite news|last=Zorn|first=Eric|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ericzorn/weblog/archives/2005/05/blisstered.html|title=Eric Zorn's Notebook: Blisstered|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=May 2, 2005|access-date=November 29, 2012|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205163415/https://www.chicagotribune.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2008, Spencer joined Wilco on stage at [[Madison Square Garden]] to play drums on their song "The Late Greats," while opening for [[Neil Young]].<ref name="RollingStone-BoyGenius-2008">{{cite news|last1=Scaggs|first1=Austin|title=Spencer Tweedy, Boy Genius|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/smokingsection/2008/12/spencer-tweedy-boy-genius.php|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]|date=December 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404161151/http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/smokingsection/2008/12/spencer-tweedy-boy-genius.php|archive-date=April 4, 2010|url-status=dead|location=Smoking Section}}</ref> Tweedy has [[Conversion to Judaism|converted]] to Judaism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radio.wpsu.org/post/not-my-job-we-quiz-wilcos-jeff-tweedy-yankee-hotel-and-foxtrot|title=Not My Job: We Quiz Wilco's Jeff Tweedy On 'A Yankee, A Hotel, And A Foxtrot'|website=Radio.wpsu.org|date=August 11, 2018|access-date=November 30, 2018|archive-date=August 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813004448/http://radio.wpsu.org/post/not-my-job-we-quiz-wilcos-jeff-tweedy-yankee-hotel-and-foxtrot|url-status=live}}</ref> His wife is [[Jewish people|Jewish]]; their sons both had [[Bar Mitzvah]] ceremonies.<ref name=Uncut-Audience-2013>{{cite news|title=An Audience With… Wilco's Jeff Tweedy|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/wilco/an-audience-with-wilco-s-jeff-tweedy-feature|access-date=December 20, 2014|work=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]|date=February 2013|archive-date=December 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220212609/http://www.uncut.co.uk/wilco/an-audience-with-wilco-s-jeff-tweedy-feature|url-status=live}}</ref> During the ceremony for his older son, Tweedy played an acoustic version of [[Bob Dylan]]'s "[[Forever Young (Bob Dylan song)|Forever Young]]".<ref name=NYT-RockofAges-2009>{{cite news|last1=Solomon|first1=Deborah|title=Questions for Jeff Tweedy: Rock of Ages|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/magazine/05fob-q4-t.html|access-date=December 20, 2014|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 1, 2009|archive-date=December 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220213758/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/magazine/05fob-q4-t.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2019 Tweedy's home in Irving Park was shot at least seven times in an attack described by his son as "not targeted".<ref name=":1" /> No injuries were reported.

== Selected discography ==
{{main|Jeff Tweedy discography}}

=== Solo ===
* ''[[Together at Last]]'' (2017)
* ''[[Warm (Jeff Tweedy album)|Warm]]'' (2018)
* ''[[Warmer (Jeff Tweedy album)|Warmer]]'' (2019)
* ''[[Love Is the King]]'' (2020)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gilbertson|first=Jon M.|date=2020-10-29|title='Love Is the King' By Jeff Tweedy (dBpm Records)|url=https://shepherdexpress.com/api/content/4c411cb6-19f3-11eb-8848-1244d5f7c7c6/|access-date=2021-03-22|website=Shepherd Express|language=en-us|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205163415/https://shepherdexpress.com/music/album-reviews/love-is-the-king-by-jeff-tweedy-dbpm-records/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== With Uncle Tupelo ===
* ''[[No Depression (album)|No Depression]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Still Feel Gone]]'' (1991)
* ''[[March 16–20, 1992]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Anodyne (album)|Anodyne]]'' (1993)

=== With Wilco ===
* ''[[A.M. (Wilco album)|A.M.]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Being There (Wilco album)|Being There]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Summerteeth]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]]'' (2001)
* ''[[A Ghost Is Born]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Sky Blue Sky]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Wilco (The Album)]]'' (2009)
* ''[[The Whole Love]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Star Wars (Wilco album)|Star Wars]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Schmilco]]'' (2016)
* ''[[Ode to Joy (Wilco album)|Ode to Joy]]'' (2019)
* ''[[Cruel Country]]'' (2022)
* ''[[Cousin (album)|Cousin]]'' (2023)
* ''[[Hot Sun Cool Shroud]]'' (2024)

=== With Tweedy ===
* ''[[Sukierae]]'' (2014)

== Works or publications ==
* Tweedy, Jeff. ''Adult Head: Poems.'' Lincoln, Neb: Zoo Press, 2004. {{ISBN|978-1-932-02316-9}}
* Tweedy, Jeff (''Narrator)''. ''[[Lincoln in the Bardo]],'' Audiobook. Random House Audio, 2017 ASIN: B01N1NU4K2
* Tweedy, Jeff. ''[[Let's Go (So We Can Get Back): A Memoir of Recording and Discording with Wilco, Etc.]]'', autobiography, Dutton Books, 2018. {{ISBN|9781101985267}}
* Tweedy, Jeff. ''How to Write One Song,'' Dutton Books, 2020. {{ISBN|0593183525|}}
* Tweedy, Jeff. ''World Within a Song'', Penguin Random House, 2023. ISBN 9780593472521

== See also ==
* ''[[I Am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco]]''
* ''[[Wilco: Learning How to Die]]''
* [[Uncle Tupelo]]
* [[Wilco]]
* [[New Multitudes]]

== Notes and references ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* Buchanan-Smith, Peter, and Daniel Nadel. ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/56805104 The Wilco Book.]'' New York: Kaput, 2004. {{ISBN|978-0-971-36703-6}}
* Grierson, Tim. ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/851700923 Wilco: Sunken Treasure.]'' 2013. {{ISBN|978-1-780-38548-8}}
* Kot, Greg. ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/54959618 Wilco: Learning How to Die.]'' New York: Broadway Books, 2004. {{ISBN|978-0-767-91558-8}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q1686370|c=Category:Jeff Tweedy|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|s=no|species=no}}
* [https://archive.org/details/WhoOwnsCulture Who Owns Culture?] – Jeff Tweedy and [[Lawrence Lessig]] in conversation with [[Steven Johnson (author)|Steven Johnson]], New York Public Library on April 7, 2005. [[Internet Archive]], Community Audio.
* [http://www.wilcoworld.net/ Wilco] (official website)

{{Jeff Tweedy}}
{{Uncle Tupelo}}
{{Wilco}}
{{Golden Smog}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tweedy, Jeff}}
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American rock guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American rock singers]]
[[Category:American rock songwriters]]
[[Category:Jewish American musicians]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Illinois]]
[[Category:People from Belleville, Illinois]]
[[Category:People with mood disorders]]
[[Category:Drag City (record label) artists]]
[[Category:Wilco members]]
[[Category:Uncle Tupelo members]]
[[Category:The Minus 5 members]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Illinois]]
[[Category:DBpm Records artists]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:Dutch East India Trading artists]]
[[Category:Sire Records artists]]
[[Category:Reprise Records artists]]
[[Category:Nonesuch Records artists]]
[[Category:Golden Smog members]]
[[Category:Converts to Judaism]]
[[Category:20th-century American singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:Belleville High School-West alumni]]
[[Category:Autobiographies]]