David Roach, the gravel-throated front man of Los Angeles hard rock outfit Junkyard, has died at the age of 59 following a harrowing battle with cancer.
Known for his raspy voice, unfiltered stage presence and gritty charm, Roach passed away peacefully at home, only a fortnight after marrying his longtime partner, Jennifer.
The band confirmed his passing in a heartfelt statement shared across social media platforms, writing, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Roach. After a courageous battle with cancer, David passed away peacefully last night at home, in the loving arms of his wife. He was a gifted artist, performer, songwriter and singer but above all, a devoted father, husband and brother. Our thoughts are with the entire Roach family and everyone who loved him.”
Roach had been diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of squamous cell carcinoma that affected his head, neck and throat. Despite the devastating prognosis, those closest to him described his unwavering strength and sense of humour as he faced the illness head-on.
Jennifer, his wife, described the experience in a personal post shared online, saying, “It’s devastating and life-altering, and we’re trying to navigate through the emotions and uncertainty that come with it. David is showing such incredible strength and resilience, and even in the midst of this darkness, he’s still managing to keep his sense of humour. It’s a reminder of how amazing he is.”
Though he was in pain, Roach actually chose not to retreat into silence. Instead, he embraced his final weeks with as much spirit as he could muster, marrying Jennifer despite his condition.
His bandmate has since Chris Gates paid tribute to him, writing, “I loved him like a little brother. We had our ups and downs, but that never changed. My condolences to his brother and sisters, and to the people who loved him or were touched by his songs. I’ll miss playing music with him, but he will always be an important part of me.”
For those who followed Junkyard from the dive bars of the Sunset Strip to stages across the world, Roach was a voice of defiance and grit. He will certainly be missed.
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