Tag Archives: Death

Death, Hip Hop, Music News, Punk, The Suck

RIP Adam Yauch (aka MCA)

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My heart seriously just sunk a few moments ago when I learned that Adam Yauch, also known as MCA of the Beastie Boys, passed away today after a 5-year battle with cancer.  He was 47.

When I heard he was not attending the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony a few weeks back, I knew something was up, but I figured he was just getting treatment again.

At the ceremony, Ad- Rock (Adam Horovitz) and Mike D. (Michael Diamond) read a letter from Yauch in response to being inducted to the Rock Hall:

“I’d like to dedicate this to my brothers Adam and Mike. They walked the globe with me. It’s also for anyone who has ever been touched by our band. This induction is as much ours as it is yours.”

I think “touched” is an understatement.  The Beastie Boys are one of the most important bands of my lifetime.  Love them or hate them, the B-Boys changed music in a good good way and Yauch had a big part in that.

Yauch at the 2007 Virgin Mobile Festival

Currently the website / blog for the Beastie Boys is down, so I am waiting to see what the rest of the band has to say about this unfortunate loss. (UPDATE – The site is now up and there is an amazing piece about Yauch on it.  Head over to the Beastie Boys site if you would like to check it out.)

All I know is that when I found out, I was sad – really sad.  Maybe some people do not care, but I do…

I have been a fan of the Beastie Boys since I picked up Licensed To Ill in a Gold Circle store in 1986.  I remember hearing them once on MTv when it was a cable channel that actually played music videos all the time.  My Mom caved in and bought it for me.  The way I looked at music changed the moment I ripped off that cellophane wrapper.

I grew up with them and wanted to be like them as a youth.  My Paul’s Boutique cassette was played so much that it disintegrated.  I have caught them a handful of times including when they headlined at Bonnaroo in 2009.

I was lucky enough to have met Yauch, and the rest of the B-Boys, in 2007 at the Virgin Mobile Music Festival in Baltimore.  I interviewed the band for about 7 minutes and laughed more than anything.  They were cool guys and I remember specifically  Yauch just laughing hard while Ad-Rock stood ever so close to me while I rifled off some questions to them.  It was a memory I will never forget, and now plan on cherishing for the rest of my life.

Yauch was always the bad ass of the group.  He was an inspiration, an icon, a legend.  He will be missed.

Death, Eye Opener, Indie, Live Shows, Music, Music News, Punk, Random, Review, Rock

Jay Reatard Homicide?

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In a recent blog, I posted the news about Jay Reatard‘s death.  At the time it was undetermined about how he died but apparently his death is now being investigated as a homicide.  According to The L.A. Record Memphis Police are looking for a possible suspect in the musician’s death.

Hearing this I decided to so some internet surfing and found out some interesting info…

It appears as if Jay Reatard had some hate towards someone according to Exclaim.ca.  Reading though the article it stated that Reatard had beef with New Jersey band Liquor Store.The garage punk outfit allegedly slashed the tires on Reatard’s tour van recently and Reatard did not take it lightly.

What is crazier is I read the last Twitter posted by Jay Reatard on 01/11/2010 at 3:24PM:

@jayreatard – “I will give anyone a hundred bucks per tire that they pop on the band liquor stores van ! Yes I’m serious”

So who is this Liquor Store band and why did they slash Reatard’s tires in the first place?  Not trying to be CSI BHP here but looking at their MySpace page I noticed they just so happened to be in Tennessee for a couple of shows…right around the time Reatard was discovered dead.

Coincidence?  Only time will tell…

Regardless the world lost a good artist who may not have been well known but really made in impact with his style.

UPDATE:
According to a post on the Terminal Boredom message board, Reatard threatened members of Liquor Store with a chainsaw and hit a band member in the face with a disco ball.

Wait… did you say a chainsaw and a disco ball?  Well no wonder they slashed his tires!  Still the cause on the initial brawl is still unknown at this time as well as there is no proof that foul play has been involved.

Nashville Scene posted funeral information as well as supplied a Fox News cache to a story that was pulled off the internet.

Matador Records posted funeral information as well as well a personal entry from Matador co-owner/Matablog blogger Gerard Cosloy:

I was on a flight to NY this afternoon and when I landed there were about two dozen text messages about Jay Reatard’s passing. It is the height of understatement to say I’m upset, confused and deeply saddened by the loss of one of the more amazing people I’ve been fortunate to know.  In record company parlance, yeah, we’ve lost (let’s go down the checklist) a phenomenal performer, songwriter, and insatiable music lover.  But we’ve lost a great friend as well, and that’s the part that hurts the most.

We’re not the only ones feeling that way right now, obviously. Jay’s friends all over the country, heck, all over the world are dealing with this. I know his various scrapes over the years have made for cheap internet fodder, but the people who cared about him are gonna remember a real person that mattered to them.  Our thoughts are with that very large group of people this evening.

Check out this well done short documentary on Jay Reatard:

Waiting For Something – a short documentary about Jay Reatard

Jay Reatard | MySpace Music Videos

Death, Indie, Music, Music News, Music Video, Punk, Rock, The Suck

RIP – Jay Reatard (1980 – 2010)

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Sad news in the punk / rock / indie music world.  According to The Commercial Appeal garage rocker Jay Reatard was found dead in his home today.  He was 29 years old.

RIP Jay Reatard 1980-2010
RIP Jay Reatard 1980-2010

Matador Records had this to say:

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.

Death & Taxes Magazine confirmed with:

Jay Reatard, Memphis rocker and current cover feature of Death + Taxes Magazine, has been reported dead.  He was found at approximately 3:30 a.m. in his bed this morning.  This statement has been posted on the website of Goner Records: “It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our good friend Jay Reatard. Jay died in his sleep last night. We will pass along information about funeral arrangements when they are made public.”

Rest in Peace, Jay.  Thank you for the insane memories and incredible music; we’ll miss you, and we’re very grateful for having had the chance to speak with you.

This is one of my favorite songs by Jay Reatard…

RIP Jay.

00's, Death, Metal, Music, Music News, The Suck

Avenged Sevenfold Drummer Found Dead

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I just learned that Avenged Sevenfold‘s drummer James Owen Sullivan, aka The Rev, was found dead.  He was only 28 years old.

He was a talented drummer.  I was lucky enough to see him play live a handful of times and his drumming always impressed me.  Shame to hear about this…

Direct from the band’s website:

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan. Jimmy was not only one of the world’s best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy’s family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time.

Jimmy you are forever in our hearts.
We love you.

M Shadows, Synyster Gates, Zacky Vengeance and Johnny Christ

 For more info visit FoxNews.com or Drummer World.