LOS ANGELES–One of Jack White’s band members, keyboardist Isaiah “Ikey” Owens, died on Tuesday while on tour in Mexico. He was 38.
Mexican officials are investigating the death of the GRAMMY award-winning musician, and have not released the cause of death. Reports from local Mexican newspapers said Owens was found dead in his hotel in Puebla.
White’s record label, Third Man Records, released a statement confirming the news of Owen’s passing.
“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.
Ikey Owens was an astounding keyboard player in Jack White’s backing band. He also played with Mars Volta, Free Moral Agents, and many other projects.
Out of respect for Ikey, the remaining shows of the Jack White Tour in Mexico have been cancelled. We will all miss you Ikey. You were and are an incredible artist.”
Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy, called Owens a multitalented organist, keyboardist and producer.
“Our music community has lost a gifted and creative artist all too soon, and our thoughts go out to his family, his friends and the many musicians with whom he collaborated,” said Portnow in a statement released on Tuesday.
Owens began his career in Long Beach, California, playing with bands including the Long Beach Dub Allstars and Crystal Antlers, along with his own band, Free Moral Agents.
Owens’ performance with Mars Volta earned him a GRAMMY Award for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 51st annual GRAMMY Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on February 8, 2009.
More recently, Owens joined Jack White’s backing band, the Buzzards, in 2012, appearing on both of White’s solo albums, as well as performing with him on tour.