RIP Ikey Owens of The Mars Volta

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   http://jackwhiteiii.com/we-love-you-ikey/
http://https://twitter.com/cedricbixler_/status/522168383585144832

Isaiah 'Ikey' Owens, founding member and keyboardist for The Mars Volta and more recently Jack White's live band, among many others, has died overnight, reportedly of a heart attack, aged 38.

Much loved by Volta fans as a wonderfully talented and humble person, according to Cedric Bixler-Zavala's emotional speech at an Antemasque show today, Ikey joined De Facto (the band that became Volta) when, at a Long Beach party De Facto were playing, he showed up to the party with a melodica and just got up on stage and played with them. Ikey's classic organ and electric piano was a critical part of The Mars Volta's sound, playing on their first four albums, and live from 2001-2010, being especially important to the sound on the debut Deloused in the Comatorium, and live, where his passionate all-in performances were loved. Ikey's decreasing prominence on later records (with Omar and Marcel also covering keyboards in studio), fan in-jokes about his low volume live, and his eventual failure to be called invited back due to no longer fitting the band's sound (for the 'electronic' Noctourniquet album) caused a great deal of consternation for Volta fans, for whom he was essential to the band, and we missed the early days of a smaller band where his parts were in the foreground. Though of course Volta is no longer together, Ikey had always wanted to rejoin (this now heartbreaking tweet https://twitter.com/freemoralagents/status/294279962737922049 ) and there had been a general belief, both by fans and to some extent from Cedric and Omar, that The Mars Volta would reform at some point in the future. For most fans, the death of Ikey is the permanent end of The Mars Volta.

Ikey also led his own band, Free Moral Agents (http://buyfma.bandcamp.com/), and became quite a prolific producer. Recently, he also joined Jack White's live band, gaining him a lot of widespread recognition.

RIP to a phenomenal, passionate humble musician and the most heartfelt hammond player of the 21st century. I still cannot believe that I am writing this.

Edited by Kazza3 - October 14 2014 at 23:01

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Kazza3 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: November 29 2009 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 557	Topic: RIP Ikey Owens of The Mars Volta Posted: October 14 2014 at 22:54
	http://jackwhiteiii.com/we-love-you-ikey/ http://https://twitter.com/cedricbixler_/status/522168383585144832 Isaiah 'Ikey' Owens, founding member and keyboardist for The Mars Volta and more recently Jack White's live band, among many others, has died overnight, reportedly of a heart attack, aged 38. Much loved by Volta fans as a wonderfully talented and humble person, according to Cedric Bixler-Zavala's emotional speech at an Antemasque show today, Ikey joined De Facto (the band that became Volta) when, at a Long Beach party De Facto were playing, he showed up to the party with a melodica and just got up on stage and played with them. Ikey's classic organ and electric piano was a critical part of The Mars Volta's sound, playing on their first four albums, and live from 2001-2010, being especially important to the sound on the debut Deloused in the Comatorium, and live, where his passionate all-in performances were loved. Ikey's decreasing prominence on later records (with Omar and Marcel also covering keyboards in studio), fan in-jokes about his low volume live, and his eventual failure to be called invited back due to no longer fitting the band's sound (for the 'electronic' Noctourniquet album) caused a great deal of consternation for Volta fans, for whom he was essential to the band, and we missed the early days of a smaller band where his parts were in the foreground. Though of course Volta is no longer together, Ikey had always wanted to rejoin (this now heartbreaking tweet https://twitter.com/freemoralagents/status/294279962737922049 ) and there had been a general belief, both by fans and to some extent from Cedric and Omar, that The Mars Volta would reform at some point in the future. For most fans, the death of Ikey is the permanent end of The Mars Volta. Ikey also led his own band, Free Moral Agents (http://buyfma.bandcamp.com/), and became quite a prolific producer. Recently, he also joined Jack White's live band, gaining him a lot of widespread recognition. RIP to a phenomenal, passionate humble musician and the most heartfelt hammond player of the 21st century. I still cannot believe that I am writing this. Edited by Kazza3 - October 14 2014 at 23:01

Horizons Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: January 20 2011 Location: Somewhere Else Status: Offline Points: 16952	Posted: October 14 2014 at 23:00
	Quite saddening, i read this earlier today and was thinking of making a thread. Great write up man. My favorite work of his was on Amputechture. Killer throughout.
	Crushed like a rose in the riverflow.

Luna Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: July 28 2010 Location: Funky Town Status: Offline Points: 12794	Posted: October 14 2014 at 23:00
	Terrible news. RIP.


Man With Hat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166183	Posted: October 15 2014 at 00:46
	Sad. Very sad. RIP
	Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

ole-the-first Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: January 03 2012 Location: Russia Status: Offline Points: 1534	Posted: October 15 2014 at 02:00
	R.I.P
	This night wounds time.

sleeper Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: October 09 2005 Location: Entropia Status: Offline Points: 16449	Posted: October 15 2014 at 06:12
	Damn, a heart attack at 38! RIP Ikey, a fine contributor to one of my favourite bands.
	Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005

Svetonio Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: September 20 2010 Location: Serbia Status: Offline Points: 10213	Posted: October 15 2014 at 06:38
	RIP

irrelevant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: March 07 2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 13382	Posted: October 15 2014 at 08:59
	Very sad... Way, way too soon. RIP
	New album! http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385

rushfan4 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: May 22 2007 Location: Michigan, U.S. Status: Offline Points: 66842	Posted: October 15 2014 at 09:12
	Definitely way to young. I guess he is sort of an unsung hero of the band, as I did not recognize the name. You always hear about Cedric and Omar and even the drummers Theodore and Pridgen, but I can't say that I remember ever seeing mention of the keyboard player or for that matter the bass player. Nonetheless, it is a sad loss. RIP.


tboyd1802 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: June 01 2012 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 898	Posted: October 15 2014 at 12:38
	Very sad news indeed...

The Bearded Bard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: January 24 2012 Location: Behind the Sun Status: Offline Points: 12859	Posted: October 15 2014 at 13:07
	Very sad. RIP


Polymorphia Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: November 06 2012 Location: here Status: Offline Points: 8856	Posted: October 15 2014 at 13:48
	I'm not a huge TMV fan, but Ikey's keys were the one thing I consistently liked about every album of theirs that he was on. RIP. Edited by Polymorphia - October 15 2014 at 13:49
	My Music

lazland Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: October 28 2008 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 13905	Posted: October 15 2014 at 14:35
	RIP. Shockingly young......
	Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time!

someone_else Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member VIP Member Joined: May 02 2008 Location: Going Bananas Status: Offline Points: 24881	Posted: October 15 2014 at 16:44
	RIP. Way too young...


M@X Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum & Site Admin Group Co-founder, Admin & Webmaster Joined: January 29 2004 Location: Canada Status: Online Points: 4078	Posted: October 15 2014 at 17:59
	RIP dude
	Prog On !

twosteves Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: May 01 2007 Location: NYC/Rhinebeck Status: Offline Points: 4098	Posted: October 15 2014 at 19:11
	RIP---way too young indeed---hope it wasn't drug related ----but my friend works in a heart unit of a hospital and it can happen more than you think on a 38 year old. It's all in the genes and or how you take care of yourself.

richardh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: February 18 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 30583	Posted: October 16 2014 at 01:37
	RIP , far too young as already said I have found The Mars Volta one of the most challenging bands I have ever come across but neverthless they are the epitomy of modern truly progressive rock. I will play Amputecture later as my own little tribute.

Kazza3 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: November 29 2009 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 557	Posted: October 16 2014 at 04:50
	Combination of genes and weight it unfortunately seems- he had been trying to lose weight for exactly this reason- no drugs. From 4:30 on, watch this great solo from Ikey, it just gets better and better: Edited by Kazza3 - October 16 2014 at 04:53

Guldbamsen Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Retired Admin Joined: January 22 2009 Location: Magic Theatre Status: Offline Points: 23179	Posted: October 16 2014 at 07:10
	This is so sad. 38!?!?!?!??? My heart goes out to his family.
	“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams

odinalcatraz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: July 12 2010 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 347	Posted: October 16 2014 at 13:04
	Bloody hell! I am speechless really.
	http://www.corvusstone.com