Former Weezer bassist Mikey Welsh has been found dead in a Chicago hotel room. The original announcement was made on Twitter - "We are deeply saddened to announce that Mikey Welsh passed away unexpectedly. He will forever be remembered as an amazing father, artist, and friend. May he rest in peace."

The current members of Weezer paid tribute to Walsh on their own Twitter accounts, saying: "We are shocked and deeply saddened to hear the awful news, our friend and fellow Weezer rocker @mikeywelsh71 has passed away. We love you Mikey."

According to reports, Welsh was found unconscious on his hotel room floor at 2:50pm on Saturday and the cause of death has yet to be determined.

Welsh joined Weezer in 2000 after Matt Sharp, the original bass player, left the band in 1998 and played on the self-titled Weezer (known as the 'Green Album'). That same year Welsh has a nervous breakdown and attempted suicide. He had been working as an artist up until his death.