RIP JAY REATARD

January 19th, 2010

RIP Jay.

Last week on January 12th, the sad news that garage rocker Jay Reatard had died suddenly in his sleep shocked music fans everywhere. Speculations that this 29-year-old legend had passed away was at first deemed to be a rumor, but to everyone;s dismay the tragic death has been confirmed. Now rumors of homicide are beginning to surface and it is being reported that the Memphis police are currently searching for a possible suspect pertaining to his death.

Regarded highly for his near perfect album Blood Visions (2006) and recent hit Watch Me Fall (2009), Jay Reatard was responsible for reviving lo-fi garage punk. With his prolific career spanning 22 full length albums, there is no doubt of Jay’s talent as a performing artist. Playing nearly a thousand shows all over the world as a solo artist and member of numerous bands by the age of 29, there is no telling what more he could have accomplished in his lifetime.

On Jay’s official website, one of the last tracks he recorded, a cover of Nirvana’s “Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle” has been posted. (Download Here) Furthermore musicians and fans alike have begun paying homage to the rocker’s short life. Beck has begun streaming Jay’s cover of his song “Gamma Ray” (Listen Here), No Age have posted a photo tribute on their blog (See Here) and online music publication Pitchfork have posted a collection of reactions to the death (Read Here).

As a result of these artists commemorating Jay, I thought a tribute of our own was in order. In remembrance, here are some significant moments of Jay Reatard’s too short career. R.I.P.!

A testimony to Jay’s energetic presence whilst rocking out on his Flying V: [watch]

“D.O.A.” video from the album Matador’s Singles ’08: [watch]

His newest video for “It Ain’t Gonna Save Me” from Watch Me Fall: [watch]

A bloody “Always Wanting More” video off of Matador Singles ’08: [watch]

Performing up close and personal courtesy of Pitchfork TV (personal
fave: Hammer I Miss You): [watch]

What are your favourite Jay Reatard moments?

Tags: correspondents, deaths, in memoriam, Jay Reatard, music, rip