‘Guilty By Association’ songwriter dies

Songwriter Vic Chestnutt, whose song ‘Guilty By Association’ Madonna covered with her brother Joe Henry on the fundraising compilation album “Sweet Relief II: Gravity Of The Situation” has died following a suspected overdose according to his record label.

The troubled songwriter had attempted suicide a number of times in the past and is suspected of having overdosed on Christmas Day at his home in Atlanta, Georgia.

Madonna’s recording of his track was the first time she publicly worked with her brother-in-law Joe Henry and their cover of ‘Guilty By Association’ was heralded as the stand-out track on the covers compilation at the time, its ethereal smokiness coming as something of a surprise to Madonna fans who had heard little of it before the album’s release in summer 1996.