“All who knew him understood that he was an anomaly”
Tiger Merritt, vocalist and guitarist of psychedelic rock band Morning Teleportation, has died.
Aged just 31, the news of his passing was announced by the band on Thursday (April 4). A cause of death is yet to be revealed.
“All who knew him understood that he was an anomaly; we’ve never met someone like him in our lifetime,” Morning Teleportation wrote in a statement. “His musicianship inspired us. His smile was contagious. He was one of the kindest souls that we’ve ever come across, and it hurts to think about how he won’t be a hard-to-reach phone call away.”
Merritt co-founded Morning Teleportation in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 2009. Signing to Glacial Pace Recordings that same year, they released their debut album, ‘Expanding Anyway’, in 2011. It was produced by Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock. Their second album, ‘Salivating for Symbiosis’, arrived in 2017.
Morning Teleportation.
“We want to thank everyone who has supported Tiger and our project, every fan and every friend,” the band added in their statement. “We’ve always been more than a band; we’ve been a family. Tiger and Travis have been best friends since childhood. Tiger was always someone capable of such beauty in his music, and we wish he could have continued to share that with you. Stay close to your loved ones while they’re here. Let them know what they mean to you. You all have meant the world to him, and you mean the world to us.”
Tributes have been pouring in for Merritt, including from by Cage the Elephant, who wrote: “Can’t believe I’m typing this, but we lost another dear friend today. Tiger was an inspiration for us. Such a sensitive, kind, loving soul. Heartbreaking doesn’t even describe this loss.”
Can’t believe I’m typing this, but we lost another dear friend today…. Tiger @amteleportation was an inspiration for us. Such a sensitive, kind, loving soul. Heartbreaking doesn’t even describe this loss pic.twitter.com/9KuKf6zwbi
— Cage The Elephant (@CageTheElephant) April 4, 2019
“Heartbroken to hear the news of Tiger Merritt of @amteleportation,” tweeted Audiotree. “We are honored to have spent time with him in our studio. Thank you, Tiger. We’ll never forget you.”
Heartbroken to hear the news of Tiger Merritt of @amteleportation. We are honored to have spent time with him in our studio. Thank you, Tiger. We’ll never forget you. pic.twitter.com/CPg8lTkAzA
— Audiotree (@audiotreemusic) April 4, 2019
Tiger Merritt brought profound joy into this world. Perhaps because he always seemed on the astral plane, his death hits harder. Tiger loved so fully. He will be missed, deeply and daily. In solidarity w/ @amteleportation we grieve, with immense gratitude for the gifts they gave- pic.twitter.com/8eR9Oc6jQ4
— Tim Jensen (@anokaydane) April 5, 2019
RIP Tiger Merritt. It was an honor to have shared the stage with you. You were an incredible songwriter and a gentle kind soul. Praying for the Bowling Green community, all of the families & friends ❤️?
— Bad Cop (@BadCopMusic) April 5, 2019
One fan wrote: “Tiger was a sweet, gentle guy and it makes me incredibly sad to know that he’s gone,” while another added simply: “I’m heartbroken… R.I.P. Tiger.”
I’m heartbroken… R.I.P. Tiger ?https://t.co/bEKg4RdgZK
— doobz (@damndooby) April 5, 2019
This is incredibly sad news. Tiger was a sweet, gentle guy and it makes me incredibly sad to know that he’s gone and that so many of my friends who were close to him are hurting right now. https://t.co/HePClRR1qW
— Theodora Karatzas (@theokaratzas) April 5, 2019
RIP Tiger Merritt
thank you for this music, it came at an important time for young me.
rest. https://t.co/K7ZJgmCmwj— aidan (@aidannandrews) April 6, 2019
I love you and I will miss you. You changed my life. I will never forget you. R.I.P. Tiger Merritt pic.twitter.com/5ffrHZLEzH
— Chris Rutledge (@chriseanovich) April 6, 2019
tiger merritt fucking died bro what is even happening right now
— ¯_(ツ)_/¯ (@pewpsc00p) April 4, 2019
Such a genuine soul. He was a one-of-a-kind human and one of the best musicians and songwriters I ever had the privilege of meeting.
Your music will live on forever. Rest easy, Tiger Merritt. https://t.co/YOOQBuvdUv
— Trent Singer (@SINGERMAN_) April 4, 2019
@JasonIsbell I mentioned the other day that the BG music community had another tradegy with the death of Dylan Graves. Today oh today…today we lost Tiger Merritt of Morning Teleportation. Call that friend. Hug your band mate. We are gutted.
— Franne Jennings (@frannej) April 5, 2019
Truly saddened to hear of the passing of Tiger Merritt. Dude was extremely talented. @amteleportation became one of my favorite bands of the past few years. I was fortunate to see them a couple times. #morningteleporation #tigermerritt pic.twitter.com/QuXAT98hqO
— Ty Goodwin (@TyGoodwin) April 5, 2019
I saw Tiger Merritt play at Mellow Matt’s a few months ago. One of the best acoustic sets I’ve ever seen. So much talent. R I P
— jake (@2009etnies) April 5, 2019
I was fortunate enough to see Morning Teleportation live in Vegas a couple years back. The news on Tiger Merritt is such a huge loss. Incredible artist @amteleportation pic.twitter.com/AgHs3sdDgV
— alexis (@lerma_alexis) April 5, 2019
Very sad to hear about the death of Tiger Merritt from @amteleportation. He left us with some great music. Here’s one of my favorites. https://t.co/KKislEhRfi
— Matt (@MajinTrunkz) April 4, 2019
tiger merritt was talented in a way few will ever be. RIP friend, i will never stop missing you. pic.twitter.com/qrby2NNyAA
— Gary Herman (@geeherman) April 5, 2019
it’s a shame when you don’t discover someone until they’re gone. This guy was phenomenal playing and lyrically. RIP https://t.co/ODP0HDQ18x
— John King (@kentuckysinger) April 5, 2019
Holy fuck, Tiger Merritt died
— Jack Torrance ? (@Shanilla8) April 5, 2019
Absolutely gutted by this news. RIP Tiger Merritt. I hope you find the peace you so longed for. Thanks for the music ? https://t.co/pzAaTcDNVM
— Sara Ricupito (@Sara_Charliee) April 5, 2019
RIP Tiger Merritt
— Mike Farmer dba Mikesosoft (@kentuckyprophet) April 4, 2019
