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Wilco is an American rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed by musician and songwriter Jeff Tweedy in 1994 after the breakup of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo. While originally playing a musical style similar to Uncle Tupelo’s previous recordings, Wilco is now mostly known for its rock, alternative rock and, sometimes, experimental style. The band current line-up also features bassist John Stirratt, guitarist Nels Cline, drummer Glenn Kotche, multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone and pianist Mikael Jorgensen. The band has released six studio albums, a live album, and two tribute albums to American folk musician Woody Guthrie in collaboration with English musician Billy Bragg. Their fifth studio album A Ghost Is Born won two Grammy Awards for the best alternative album and for best recording package in 2005.

Roots of the band

Primary songwriter/singer Jeff Tweedy was a member of the seminal 1980s and 1990s alternative country group Uncle Tupelo. Tweedy shared songwriting and singing duties with bandmate Jay Farrar, who later formed Son Volt. Tweedy formed Wilco with the last incarnation of Uncle Tupelo : drummer Ken Coomer, bassist John Stirratt, and string player Max Johnston. They had been featured on the last Uncle Tupelo recording “Anodyne”. The band was named after the aviation term “Wilco”, an expression that means “Will Comply”.