Deaths: Drummer Brian Keats, rocker Jay Reatard

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briankeats-rayonRock drummer Brian Keitz (often credited as Keats) died Tuesday after a battle with liver cancer. He was 46. The L.A.-based musician played with myriad artists, including Jason Falkner, Dave Vanian, Sylvain Sylvain, Susanna Hoffs, Teddy Thompson and AM, and manned the skins for the bands Wink, 3 Day Wheely, Low Pop Suicide, Princess Pang, Rayon and Genocide, among others.

“He was the hardest-hitting and most consistent drummer I ever played with, but it wasn’t just the way he played,” said guitarist Casey Dolan, his bandmate in 3 Day Wheely. “He was a brilliant guy, just an all-around brilliant guy.”

Said AM, whose debut album “Troubled Times” featured the work of Keitz: “He was not only a great drummer, but he had a terrific dry sense of humor which made him fun to work with. He will be missed.”

Keitz is survived by his wife Tomoko and son Tristan.

Also: Memphis garage rocker Jay Reatard has died at age 29. Details at Rollingstone.com.