R.I.P. JAY REATARD

Memphis garage rocker and one of underground music's most engaging personalities Jay Reatard  passed away in his sleep last night, according to a post on the website for Goner Records. The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that he was found early this morning in his Tennessee home, following a troubling 2009 that saw him loss his band members and get attacked by two fans in Austin, Tex. Jay was 29 years old.
CMJ is reporting that he may have died of an overdose but nothing has been announced officially. Reatard's current label Matador said:
We are devastated by the death of Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., aka Jay Reatard. Jay was as full of life as anyone we’ve ever met, and responsible for so many memorable moments as a person and artist. We’re honored to have known and worked with him, and we will miss him terribly. [Matador Records]
A fairly cryptic message from Reatard's Twitter feed on Jan. 9th stated: "If I don't get well soon I'm gonna eat myself into pig champion/tad teritory." His last Twitter message, delivered on Monday, January 11th, was also somewhat cryptic, but did not hint at any indication of what he meant two days earlier about apparently not being "well."

It said: "I will give anyone a hundred bucks per tire that they pop on the band liquor stores van! Yes I'm serious". Perhaps in true Jay fashion, that was apparently his last public statement to his fans worldwide.
He didn’t get a lot of attention around this blog, but regardless of whether you liked him or not, 29 is way too young to go. Rest in peace Jay

Posted in: R.I.P.