Jack White's tour in support of this year's Lazaretto has been struck by tragedy, as keyboardist Isaiah "Ikey" Owens has died. He was reportedly 38 years old.
Mexican publication Periódico Digital [via Consequence of Sound] reports that Owens was found dead in his hotel room in Puebla, Mexico, this morning (October 14). Based on Google's translation of the Spanish-language article, it seems that drugs and alcohol were found at the scene, but the cause of death is currently unconfirmed.
UPDATE: According to reports, Owens is said to have died of a heart attack.
An announcement on Third Man's website explains, "It is with great sadness that we tell the world of the passing of the incredible musician Isaiah 'Ikey' Owens. He will be missed and loved forever by his family, friends, bandmates and fans."
White and his band are currently on tour in Mexico; however, the rest of the Mexican dates have been cancelled "out of respect for Ikey." (The tour is scheduled to resume next month in Europe.)
In addition to playing with White, Owens was a longtime member of the Mars Volta. He joined the group at their inception and played on numerous albums before leaving their ranks in 2010. He also had a solo project called Free Moral Agents, and his resume includes guest appearances with Mastodon, Sublime and many more.
In recent years, he was a member of White's all-male touring band the Buzzards. He played on this year's Lazaretto and has remained a member of the live lineup.
Mexican publication Periódico Digital [via Consequence of Sound] reports that Owens was found dead in his hotel room in Puebla, Mexico, this morning (October 14). Based on Google's translation of the Spanish-language article, it seems that drugs and alcohol were found at the scene, but the cause of death is currently unconfirmed.
UPDATE: According to reports, Owens is said to have died of a heart attack.
An announcement on Third Man's website explains, "It is with great sadness that we tell the world of the passing of the incredible musician Isaiah 'Ikey' Owens. He will be missed and loved forever by his family, friends, bandmates and fans."
White and his band are currently on tour in Mexico; however, the rest of the Mexican dates have been cancelled "out of respect for Ikey." (The tour is scheduled to resume next month in Europe.)
In addition to playing with White, Owens was a longtime member of the Mars Volta. He joined the group at their inception and played on numerous albums before leaving their ranks in 2010. He also had a solo project called Free Moral Agents, and his resume includes guest appearances with Mastodon, Sublime and many more.
In recent years, he was a member of White's all-male touring band the Buzzards. He played on this year's Lazaretto and has remained a member of the live lineup.
