Photo Galleries - R.I.P. Jay Reatard

Sad news came on Wed., Jan 13 when Memphis, Tenn. garage-punk icon Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., better known as Jay Reatard was found dead in his home at the age of 29. In August of 2009 Jay released what would be his final album, Watch Me Fall for Matador Records. It was his breakthrough record that saw his songwriting move beyond the confrontational Ramone’s style speedy and abrasive melancholy punk blasts, to a more refined blend of noisy pop songs. Nevertheless, he was an irreverent performer known for the frenzied energy he released during his shows. On-stage he couldn’t get through his songs fast enough, while his band mates fought desperately to keep up. No cause of death has been cited yet, though police have reportedly opened an investigation.

The photos by Perry Julien, in which Jay is wearing a red shirt, were shot during a Criminal Records in-store performance on the afternoon of Thurs., Dec. 3 while Reatard was touring in support of Watch Me Fall. The photos by Chad Radford, (Jay is wearing a white T-shirt) were taken at Lenny’s Bar on Oct. 15, 2007 while the band was touring in support of Jay’s debut full-length, Blood Visions.