Photo: Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyJay Jay Phillips, a heavy metal musician who appeared onAmerica’s Got Talenton season 4 in 2009 and season 12 in 2017, has died. He was 30.His band Mettal Maffia announced Phillips' death on Instagram Tuesday.“It is with great sadness we inform you all of the loss of our bandmate/brother/and friend @jayjayrocks. It still doesn’t feel real and we would give anything to change it. Please respect the family, as well as our wishes as we take our time to grieve and process this detrimental loss,“a statement from Phillips' bandsaid.“We miss you brother, every second of every minute, of every day. Thank you for teaching us all to laugh a little more,” the statement continued. “Rock in Paradise.“Seph Lawless, a close friend of Phillips, toldThe Wrapthat the musician was battling the COVID-19 virus over Thanksgiving, and that his girlfriend had found him unresponsive “in the fetal position” in bed.“He was battling covid like so many quietly at home the only difference was his soul was larger than most and so we all knew he was struggling,” Lawless wrote in an email to the outlet, adding that the musician was allegedlyunvaccinated.Phillips, who represented his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio while competing onAGTand was known just as much for his wild hairstyle as his talent, had a passion for music.According tohis last Instagram poston Oct. 13, the keyboardist was looking forward to making and playing music with his band in the coming months.“So in case anyones wondering where I’ve been or what i’ve been up too [sic] here it is!!!! My band METTAL MAFFIA is making huge moves and anyone that’s a fan of me IT’S A MUST you check us out,” he wrote, adding, “I’m 50 million more times exited [sic]about this than the whole AGT thing and i’m so grateful to rock out with my brothers and sister and dude I love this band and them so much it’s rediculous [sic], check out our insta and follow us at @mettalmaffiaofficial so you can catch a show.“Phillips competed on season 4 ofAGTin 2009 but was eliminated early on. Eight years later, Phillips returned to theAGTstage during season 12 in 2017, but was eliminated just before the quarterfinals.As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
Photo: Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Jay Jay Phillips, a heavy metal musician who appeared onAmerica’s Got Talenton season 4 in 2009 and season 12 in 2017, has died. He was 30.His band Mettal Maffia announced Phillips' death on Instagram Tuesday.“It is with great sadness we inform you all of the loss of our bandmate/brother/and friend @jayjayrocks. It still doesn’t feel real and we would give anything to change it. Please respect the family, as well as our wishes as we take our time to grieve and process this detrimental loss,“a statement from Phillips' bandsaid.“We miss you brother, every second of every minute, of every day. Thank you for teaching us all to laugh a little more,” the statement continued. “Rock in Paradise.“Seph Lawless, a close friend of Phillips, toldThe Wrapthat the musician was battling the COVID-19 virus over Thanksgiving, and that his girlfriend had found him unresponsive “in the fetal position” in bed.“He was battling covid like so many quietly at home the only difference was his soul was larger than most and so we all knew he was struggling,” Lawless wrote in an email to the outlet, adding that the musician was allegedlyunvaccinated.Phillips, who represented his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio while competing onAGTand was known just as much for his wild hairstyle as his talent, had a passion for music.According tohis last Instagram poston Oct. 13, the keyboardist was looking forward to making and playing music with his band in the coming months.“So in case anyones wondering where I’ve been or what i’ve been up too [sic] here it is!!!! My band METTAL MAFFIA is making huge moves and anyone that’s a fan of me IT’S A MUST you check us out,” he wrote, adding, “I’m 50 million more times exited [sic]about this than the whole AGT thing and i’m so grateful to rock out with my brothers and sister and dude I love this band and them so much it’s rediculous [sic], check out our insta and follow us at @mettalmaffiaofficial so you can catch a show.“Phillips competed on season 4 ofAGTin 2009 but was eliminated early on. Eight years later, Phillips returned to theAGTstage during season 12 in 2017, but was eliminated just before the quarterfinals.As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
Jay Jay Phillips, a heavy metal musician who appeared onAmerica’s Got Talenton season 4 in 2009 and season 12 in 2017, has died. He was 30.
His band Mettal Maffia announced Phillips' death on Instagram Tuesday.
“It is with great sadness we inform you all of the loss of our bandmate/brother/and friend @jayjayrocks. It still doesn’t feel real and we would give anything to change it. Please respect the family, as well as our wishes as we take our time to grieve and process this detrimental loss,“a statement from Phillips' bandsaid.
“We miss you brother, every second of every minute, of every day. Thank you for teaching us all to laugh a little more,” the statement continued. “Rock in Paradise.”
Seph Lawless, a close friend of Phillips, toldThe Wrapthat the musician was battling the COVID-19 virus over Thanksgiving, and that his girlfriend had found him unresponsive “in the fetal position” in bed.
“He was battling covid like so many quietly at home the only difference was his soul was larger than most and so we all knew he was struggling,” Lawless wrote in an email to the outlet, adding that the musician was allegedlyunvaccinated.
Phillips, who represented his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio while competing onAGTand was known just as much for his wild hairstyle as his talent, had a passion for music.
According tohis last Instagram poston Oct. 13, the keyboardist was looking forward to making and playing music with his band in the coming months.
“So in case anyones wondering where I’ve been or what i’ve been up too [sic] here it is!!!! My band METTAL MAFFIA is making huge moves and anyone that’s a fan of me IT’S A MUST you check us out,” he wrote, adding, “I’m 50 million more times exited [sic]about this than the whole AGT thing and i’m so grateful to rock out with my brothers and sister and dude I love this band and them so much it’s rediculous [sic], check out our insta and follow us at @mettalmaffiaofficial so you can catch a show.”
Phillips competed on season 4 ofAGTin 2009 but was eliminated early on. Eight years later, Phillips returned to theAGTstage during season 12 in 2017, but was eliminated just before the quarterfinals.
As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
source: people.com
