There’s not a substitute for you.

So as many know (especially my twitter followers) one of my favorite musicians passed away early this morning. Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., also known as Jay Reatard, was one of the most talented garage rockers of all time. And I can’t even describe to you how much his 2006 album, Blood Vision, influenced my life. Some of those songs got me through some really hard times. As cliché as that sounds, it’s true. Jay Reatard was a mastermind musician and although his life was cut so short, I am sure his music will live on for ages.

One regret I must share: I never did see one of Reatard’s live shows. Back in the summer of 2008 (college! woo!!) I went down to Red 7 to meet my boyfriend for a Jay Reatard show. I had just finished my late night copy editing shift at the Texan (again! college!!) and rushed downtown for the show. I was pumped, but I had been feeling under the weather all day and could only feel myself getting sicker and feeling worse about being out. I toughed it out for, oh, maybe 20 minutes and went home before Reatard came on.

“I’ll always have the chance to see him again,” I told myself. “He comes to Austin all the time and I’ll have thousands more opportunities to see him.” Yeah, no. I never did get to see him.

I hope we can all learn from my idiotic decision and trust me, never pass up a great show! It may be your last chance.

If you haven’t heard Jay Reatard’s music you really should give it a listen — Blood Visions is seriously an iconic album. You won’t be sorry you did. You’ll just be sorry you never got to see him live when you had the chance.

I will always cherish the music Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr. did produce over the years, I’m just so sad there’s no more to come. This really is so tragic for the music world. Goodbye, Mr. Reatard!