Ex-Mars Volta keyboardist dies on tour with Jack White in Mexico

Isaiah “Ikey” Owens, who played with Mars Volta from 2001-’09, has died while on tour with Jack White in Mexico.

A cause of death has not been announced and it is being investigated.

Third Man Records, White’s record label, released the following statement:

“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.”

Owens has played with White’s band since 2012.

Owens was a member of Mars Volta when the group won a Grammy Award for “Wax Simulacra” at the 51st Grammy Awards in the Best Hard Rock Performance category.

“I am proud to have played with Ikey Owens. I will miss him dearly. Let’s keep his mother and brothers close 2 our hearts & in our prayers,” Cedric Bixler Zavala, former bandmate of Owens’, tweeted.

Owens is the second member of Mars Volta to die. Jeremy Michael Ward died on May 25, 2003 of a heroin overdose at 27 years old.

Mars Volta was founded in 2001 by El Pasoans Bixler and Omar Rodriguez Lopez after the break up of At the Drive-In.

Mars Volta broke up in early 2013.

Watch an interview with Owens from 2012 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FCveNEstOs