Music was today mourning the passing of one of its rising stars. Memphis garage rocker Jay Reatard was found dead at his home in the Cooper-Young neighbourhood of Midtown by his roommate at around 9am, according to reports, and nothing could be done to save him. Although there are no suggestions of foul play at this time, an investigation has been opened to determine cause of death.

It all sounds so clinical when put like that but it is all too real for the British fans of the rocker who had the opportunity to see him perform live as recently as November, Jay Reatard, real name Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., was just 29 but had been around the industry since the age of 15. Having been a member of The Reatards and Lost Sounds, he was one of the best musicians to have come out of Memphis in some years and had attracted quite a following. His punk sounds as a member of The Reatards made him a prominent name in the 1990s and the synth punk he produced with the Lost Sounds took his music to a whole new level, but many critics considered him to be in the prime of his career as a result of the success of his debut solo album, Watch Me Fall, last August.

Gone Records, his previous label with The Reatards released a statement announcing that Jay ha died in his sleep overnight, with current label, Matador Records, releasing the following statement: “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.”

Rest In Peace Jay. You will be sadly missed.