Dean Fertita, piano and keyboard player for Queens of the Stone Age, will be taking the late Isaiah “Ikey” Owens’ spot in Jack White’s touring band.
Owens, previously of Mars Volta, died earlier in October, while White and his touring band were on tour in Mexico. According to NME, White cancelled the remainder of his Mexican tour dates after the passing of Owens, but will resume touring in the U.S. and Europe in November.
In a statement, White said, “Although it is impossible to replace Ikey, the incredibly talented Dean Fertita will be joining the band to play piano and keyboard for all of Jack’s currently announced tour dates.”
This won’t be the first time the Queens of the Stone Age musician has worked with Jack White – the two play together in The Dead Weather, along with Alison Mosshart and Jack Lawrence. White will continue his tour next month in Europe, only playing shows in the U.S. again in January 2015.