According to a coroner report, Isaiah "Ikey" Owens died of a heart attack Tuesday (Oct. 14).
Owens, who was a talented musician and best known for his recent gig as Jack White's keyboardist, passed away in Mexico. NME reports that while a small amount of marijuana was found in his hotel room, drugs did not play a role in the musician's death. "The coroner has determined that Ikey Owens died from a heart attack the morning of October 14 at approximately 4 a.m.," a statement read.
News of Owens' death spread Tuesday after the Periodico Digital reported the story and White's label, Third Man Records, posted a message on its website. "It is with great sadness that we tell the world of the passing of the incredible musician Isaiah 'Ikey' Owens," the message read. "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," it continued. "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."
Owens is credited on White's most recent release, Lazaretto, in addition to albums by Mars Volta and Free Moral Agents. He occasionally produced records as well.
In June, Owens spoke with the Orange County Register about moving to Nashville to become a session musician as opposed to staying around his native Long Beach. "Now that I'm getting older, it's really hard to try and professionally make records in Long Beach," Owens told the newspaper. "I don't want to live in L.A.; I'm not really interested in New York. Nashville has been really good to me and kind of developing my career more in the studio."
