John Michael Dexter “Dex” Romweber, died on Friday, Feb. 16 at the age of 57. Best remembered as one-half of the roots rock garage act Flat Duo Jets, he also found success performing with his sister, Sara, as the Dex Romweber Duo. A defining figure of the Chapel Hill, NC music scene, he was also immortalized within Athens cultural history via the 1987 documentary Athens, GA: Inside/Out. Romweber is the subject of Two Headed Cow, a 2006 film following the difficult life of a trailblazing artist.
The following tribute was shared by his family on Facebook.
From the Romweber Family,
“It is our sad duty to inform the world that our beloved youngest brother John Michael Romweber II – you know him as Dexter — died at home on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. He was 57 years old, and found by his sister Monica. It is believed he died of natural causes; a medical exam is pending.
Singer, guitarist, artist and bon vivant, Dexter Romweber was one of the most acclaimed artists of the roots-rock underground, going back to his time with the Kamikazes. But the band that put him on the map was Flat Duo Jets, the guitar/drums duo he started in 1983 with Chris “Crow” Smith(and later with Tony Mayer on bass). While the Jets never broke through commercially, their fiery sturm and twang was a major influence on artists including the White Stripes, X, Cat Power and Neko Case.
After the Jets broke up in the late 1990s, Dexter played in a variety of acts including The New Romans and Dex Romweber Duo with his sister Sara. He released more than a dozen group and solo albums over the years, playing everything from wild-eyed rockabilly to Rachmaninoff-styled classical piano. His most recent album was “Good Thing Goin’,” released in 2023.
Romweber was preceded in death by his sister Sara; brothers Joe and Luke; and most recently his mother Sara.
We will have more to say soon, but ask for privacy at this time.”
TWO-HEADED COW from Charles F. Wing on Vimeo.
Like what you just read? Support Flagpole by making a donation today. Every dollar you give helps fund our ongoing mission to provide Athens with quality, independent journalism.
