We don't have a lot of information yet, but the Memphis Commercial Appeal and other news outlets are reporting that Jay Reatard died in his sleep last night.
Memphis musician Jimmy Jay Lindsey Jr., better known as Jay Reatard, was found dead in his Midtown home this morning, according to family and friends. He was 29.
Memphis police have opened a death investigation, spokesman Jennifer Robinson said. Lindsey was found around 3:30 a.m. at his home, Robinson said.
I've only been tuned into Reatard for a little over a year. But the two albums he's released in that time really made me think he had a bright future ahead of him. Sad to find out that's not to be the case. Here's a nice roundup from the Village Voice.
MP3s:
• Jay Reatard - "Wounded"
• Jay Reatard - "It Ain't Gonna Save Me"
• Jay Reatard - "Always Wanting More"
• Jay Reatard - "See/Saw"
Jay Reatard: iTunes, Amazon, Insound, wiki
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Video: Waiting For Something - a short documentary about Jay Reatard
Comments
No f'ing WAY! You've gotta be kidding me!
wow that really sucks - only 29. He was truly unique.
Very sad. He really came into his own these last few years, and was one of my favorite new artists of this past decade.
Fuck.
Fuck fuck fuck.
Fuck, indeed. Fat fuck.
I was only familiar with a handful of Jay Reatard's songs (all of which I really dug) but watching this video really makes me sad. I see now why his fans are as dedicated as they are.
Godspeed, Jay!
Damn! That's horrible. I'm so glad now that I got to see him live two months ago when he opened for The Pixies in Chicago. The guy could really rock in a way that most new "indie" bands don't understand these days.
Homicide?
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2010/01/14/record-label-confirms-garage-rock-musician-jay-reatard-has-died.aspx