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Jay Reatard Obituary
Memphis police said Reatard - whose given name was Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr. - was found dead in his bed early Wednesday. Police are investigating the death, but police spokeswoman Jennifer Robinson said foul play is not necessarily suspected.
Friends of Reatard's told The Commercial Appeal that the singer had been complaining of flulike symptoms. An autopsy was performed on Wednesday and the results are pending.
Reatard started recording songs in his bedroom as a teenager and was playing Memphis clubs by age 15. Soon after, local independent label Goner Records began releasing his singles. He would go on to release more than 70 records, with some of the rarer ones now fetching hundreds of dollars on eBay.
He also gained a reputation for raucous, fast-paced live performances with acts the Reatards and the Lost Sounds, before recording and performing under the solo moniker Jay Reatard.
According to his biography on the Matador Records Web site, "Shows frequently featured 18 songs (or more) in 25 minutes (or less), often running through his catalog at double or triple speed, and announcing the next song title before the first song ended."
Reatard was beginning to find mainstream success. Beck asked him to record a cover of Beck's "Gamma Ray" to be used as the B-side of the original and to open one of the star's Los Angeles performances, the Matador biography said.
Reatard had recently signed a multi-album contract with the revered indie label after being courted by major labels Universal and Columbia. He released the album "Watch me Fall" on Matador in August to positive reviews.
Just before its release, Reatard was profiled in The New York Times. Speaking of his "rough, spontaneous" recording style, he said, "'I'm just trying to get the idea out before the inspiration is gone. Everything I do is motivated by the fear of running out of time.'"
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press
41 Entries
Harry Simpson
January 13, 2018
Godspeed Jay....
April 2, 2010
For Jay...at 29 and with an
enormous talent we weep
at you sudden departure.
WEEP NOT FOR ME
Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.
Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.
I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of need, I will be there to comfort you. I will share your tears, your joys, your fears, your disappointments and your triumphs.
Do not weep for me, for I am cradled
in the arms of God. I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars.
Do not weep for me, for I am within you;
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers. I am the calm that follows a raging storm. I am an autumns leaf that floats among the garden of God, and I am pure white snow that softly falls upon your hand.
Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, as long as you remember me...
with a smile and a sigh.
© Joe Fazio
~
[email protected] /Joe Fazio,
Beverly Hills, California
L
March 15, 2010
This is kinda weird for me, as I do not know him nor his music, but I am acquainted with his mom and sister. I acturally currently live in the town he grew up in. My thoughts and payers are with them!
How you can show support
Monica /,,Henry
February 18, 2010
Dear Lindsey Family,
Jay touched many lives with his music because of its universal appeal and ability to soothe those under anxiety. We live in very stressful times and it seems our sources of comfort shrinks day by day.
But the ultimate source is still God and his word the Bible. So, I hope you gain a measure of relief from the promise he has laid out for us here:
“And in the days of those kings [ human rulerships now existing ] the God of heaven will set up a kingdom [ in heaven ] that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, [ human rulerships ] and it itself will stand to times indefinite.
(Daniel 2:44)
What does this mean for you and me? It means that God is listening to our cries of pain and sorrow, “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3)
My condolences on Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr.'s death.
Contact at, [email protected].
Steve Pope, Sr.
February 14, 2010
May God rest your soul, Jay. May your friends and family find comfort and peace. God Bless.
CHARLES SIMMONS
January 23, 2010
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY DURING THIS DIFFCULT TIME.
Gwin Marshall
January 23, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
January 22, 2010
relatives of jay,he will be greatly miss,he grew up in a little place called Lilbourn Mo who would imagine someone doing this great would be from such small town,
Shirley & Jerry Murphy
January 21, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
January 20, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with the Reatard Family in their time of grief.
The Bible promises that God is "near to those that are broken in heart, and those crushed in spirit he saves." (Psalm 34:18) I hope this will bring the family a measure of comfort.
A Friend
(Chicago, IL)
Tom 707
January 19, 2010
RIP Jay - "Ain't gonna save me!"
april l
January 19, 2010
Im truly sorry for your lost and best wishes to the family. Losing a loved one is hard to swallow especially one with so much talent and dreams for themself. Hope you make it thru the days and god bless.
Therese Guccione
January 19, 2010
To young, to soon. You did a great job while you were here.
MARY HADRICK
January 19, 2010
I AM TRULY SO SAD TO HEAR HE HAS DIED. TO HAVE SO MUCH TALENT AND THEN DIE IS BREAKING OUR HEARTS.
peter dunn
January 18, 2010
he will be sorely missed
sarah
January 17, 2010
Many of us lull through life and we lack inspiration, but it seems this musician was able to escape this and exercise his gift for developing melodies and lyrics. what he is quoted as saying in the last sentence of his Obituary "I'm just trying to get the idea out before the inspiration is gone. Everything I do is motivated by the fear of running out of time." really means a lot because we do not have allot of time and we all have to face situations Ecclesiastes 9:11 Brings out that "time and unforeseen occurrences befall them all" it is so sad that we have to face this reality death but the Bible also provides a hope in Job 14:14-15. I offer my condolences to all those who have been impacted by this mans life and his life’s work.
David J Bhaltazhar Esq
January 16, 2010
I'm so sorry for your lost.
Rev Dewitty & Nashiea Snowball
January 16, 2010
Now he on that Glory Road;
He not dead like some po toad;
He marchen up to be with Mr. God;
He be singin and dancein-big great cat;
With all the hip and hop, an like dat!
Not in next room, but up on roof;
We going there too, by hand or hoof;
Now we prays, fo his happy day;
When we all be together like in May.
God rest our poor brother Jammin Jay-Bo
January 16, 2010
Please accept my condolences for your loss. May you all find comfort in the wonderful memories you all shared together. May God give you the strength to endure during your hour of need for he care for us (1Peter 5:7)
Mr. & Mr(s) Bruce & Oscar Lightstep
January 16, 2010
We simply could not beleive this terrible news, when we heard Jay honey had left us.
We will be saying a lot of little prayers, rather than just one big paryer, the next hour or two.
Remember Jay honey: You are not dead, just in the next room. Exodous IV & CCX
KEN & MARY O'DANIEL
January 16, 2010
WE ARE SENDING OUR LOVE,PRAYERS,& CONDOLENCES TO MR. REATARD'S FAMILY,FRIENDS,FANS,&ALL WHO WORKED WITH HIM.
S. Griffin
January 16, 2010
To the family of Jay I am sorry for your loss may the God of all comfort and tender mercies be with you in your time of grief.
2corinthians 1:3,4
Beth Proctor
January 16, 2010
Jay’s Journey Has Just Begun
Don’t think of Jay as gone away
His journey’s just begun
Life holds so many facets
This earth is only one
Just think of Jay as resting
From the sorrows and the tears
In a place of warmth and comfort
Where there are no days and years
Think of how Jay must be wishing
That we could know today
How nothing but our sadness
Can really pass away
And think of Jay as living
In the hearts of those he touched
For nothing loved is ever lost
And Jay was so special and loved so much
Rev & Mrs Willie Snowball
January 15, 2010
Weep not for me, I am in the next room. Romans II 3&7
RIP Dear Jay-bo
beemer
January 15, 2010
To the family, friends,and fans of Jay Reatard:
Our prayers, thoughts, and heartfelt sympathy to you in the sudden loss of Jay. May God surround you with His angels and hold you in HIS loving arms in the days ahead.
M M
January 15, 2010
This comes as quite the shocker. Very sad news indeed. I'm very sorry to hear it.
F G
January 15, 2010
Reatard, you will be missed. All local and non local institutions near and far send there reguards to you. fans will agree that Reatards rule. Long live special people such as you.
J Russek
January 15, 2010
You will be missed, Jay. Rest in peace
sam david
January 15, 2010
another great musician gone your music will live with me for along time
Mark Hakullaa
January 15, 2010
On behalf of Reatards everywhere, I wish you peace.
January 15, 2010
How very sad he will be missed. Prayers to his family and friend's. May we keep his memory alive within us
Linette Rutledge
January 15, 2010
How very sad he will be missed. Prayers to his family and friend's. May we keep his memory alive within us
Anita Wilkerson
January 14, 2010
My sincere sympathy to Jay's family for their loss. He was my sons' "big brother" and there is a very deep hole is their hearts at his loss. God bless and keep Jay in his loving care.
January 14, 2010
For Jay...
WEEP NOT FOR ME
Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.
Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.
I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of need, I will be there to comfort you. I will share your tears, your joys, your fears, your disappointments and your triumphs.
Do not weep for me, for I am cradled
in the arms of God. I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars.
Do not weep for me, for I am within you;
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers. I am the calm that follows a raging storm. I am an autumns leaf that floats among the garden of God, and I am pure white snow that softly falls upon your hand.
Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, as long as you remember me...
with a smile and a sigh.
© Joe Fazio
R Golay
January 14, 2010
To the the family of Jay Reatard - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow,I know that Jay will be missed by many.
January 14, 2010
U kept trying to get the idea out before the inspiration was gone. Everything u did was motivated by the fear of running out of time. But time is done. God Speed.
January 14, 2010
We were sorry to read about your loss. Please be comforted in knowing that Jay is now in God's memory and will have an opportunity to be restored to life under righteous, peaceful conditions.
Sincerely,
Vern
January 14, 2010
May happy memories and warm thoughts comfort you in this time of sorrow.
John 5:28, 29.
Liz
January 14, 2010
What a sad loss of a talented young guy. I enjoyed the music he produced in his short career and am sorry there won't be more.
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