Former Mars Volta keyboardist Isaiah ‘Ikey’ Owens dies aged 38

Isaiah ‘Ikey’ Owens, former keyboard player in The Mars Volta and member of Jack White’s live band, has died while on tour with the White Stripes vocalist in Mexico. Owens was 38.

According to the BBC, Owens was found dead in his hotel room in Puebla, with Pitchfork reporting that Owens died of a heart attack.

White’s label Third Man Records said in a 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.”

Owens was a member of The Mars Volta line-up from 2001 to 2010, and made guest appearances on records by El-P, Saul Williams and Mastodon among others. Owens also released a number of EPs under the name Free Moral Agents.

On Twitter, El-P paid tribute to Owens, writing: "What a gentle, generous, brilliant musician we lost today. thank you ikey. we will miss you. I'm just glad i got to work with you one more time, brother. #ikey"

Jack White’s remaining shows on his Mexican tour have been cancelled as a mark of respect for Owens.