Following an influential music career, commitment to local music and his death in February, Friday is being recognized as Dexter Romweber Day in the Town of Carrboro.
Romweber, a long-time Carrboro resident, was honored by the local government as the Carrboro Town Council passed a resolution this week declaring March 22 as a day to remember the rock pioneer and mourn his passing. The guitarist is known for his work with the Flat Duo Jets, but saw his musical career begin in Carrboro leading several local bands while growing up in the area as the youngest of seven siblings. Romweber was 57 years old.
“Residents are urged to continue to celebrate the life and legacy of Dexter Romweber and his important contributions to the artistic life of North Carolina, the nation, and the world,” said Carrboro Mayor Pro Tem Danny Nowell, who read the resolution.
Tuesday’s council meeting had several friends and fans of Romweber in attendance, with his sister Monica Romweber and friend Julia Taylor Walters there to receive the resolution. The full measure reads:
WHEREAS, on Friday, February 16, the town of Carrboro and the music world at large suffered a grievous loss with the sudden and unexpected death of John Michael “Dexter” Romweber II. The youngest of the Romweber family’s seven children, Dexter was just 57 years old, and
WHEREAS, Dexter was 11 years old when the Romwebers moved to Carrboro in 1977. They were a musical family – sister Sara played drums in legendary bands Let’s Active and Snatches of Pink, while brother Joe led the band UV Prom – so it was natural that Dexter was playing guitar by his teenage years, and
WHEREAS, young Dexter playing on various local street corners was a familiar site back then, and his early bands included I Married a Monster, The Remainz, and Crash Landon and the Kamikazes. But where he truly made his mark was with Flat Duo Jets, a hugely acclaimed band in the 1980s and ’90s, and
WHEREAS, formed in 1983, Flat Duo Jets started out as a guitar-drums duo when that was a rarity. The Jets played roots rock faster, louder and more intense than just about any other band on the planet. Dexter was a monster guitarist, and a singer with a voice for the ages. White Stripes, Black Keys and Cat Power were just a few of the popular acts who owe a big stylistic debt, and
WHEREAS, after Flat Duo Jets broke up, Dexter continued on as the Dex Romweber Duo with a series of drummers, including sister Sara. Together they made glorious music, and
WHEREAS, for all the critical acclaim, Dexter never achieved mainstream commercial success. But he maintained his artistry with unimpeachable integrity. He made his home in Carrboro and was widely beloved here and elsewhere, and
WHEREAS, the past five years have been tragic and difficult for the Romweber family, starting with sister Sara Romweber’s death in 2019. Two brothers, Joe and Luke Romweber, subsequently passed within weeks of each other. And their mother Sara Romweber, the family matriarch, died in October 2023, and
WHEREAS, Dexter’s passing represents another sad chapter. But the music he made and the inspiration he provided will live on. He meant the world to his friends, loved ones, listeners, and the Carrboro community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Carrboro Town Council expresses its deep appreciation for Dexter Romwebers’ talent, commitment to the local music community, and towering legacy, as well as our sincerest condolences to the loved ones mourning his loss.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Carrboro Town Council directs Town staff to develop a fitting public remembrance of Dexter, his sister Sara, and the Romweber family, reflecting their lifelong work to bring music into community spaces where it could be shared with all their neighbors.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Carrboro Town Council declares Friday, March 22, 2024 to be Dexter Romweber Day in Carrboro and urges all residents to continue to celebrate the life and legacy of Dexter Romweber and his important contributions to the artistic life of North Carolina, the nation, and the world.
Video of Tuesday’s Carrboro Town Council meeting can also be watched on the town government’s YouTube page.
The Romweber family has also shared they are holding a public memorial event for the rock musician at the Haw River Ballroom on Sunday, April 7. The community gathering is free and open to everyone, but requires an RSVP. The event starts at 2:30 p.m. and will have a program of “reflection, memories and music” to celebrate Romweber’s life and legacy. A Facebook and YouTube livestream of the ceremony will also be shared on the Dex Romweber official Facebook page.
Featured photo via Dex Romweber on Facebook.
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