Junkyard singer David Roach dead at 59
David Roach, the singer for the 1980s hard rock band Junkyard, has died at the age of 59.
Roach had been diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer, an aggressive squamous cell carcinoma, just five months ago in March.
Announcing his passing on August 3rd, the rest of Junkyard wrote on Instagram: “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.”
They continued: “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.”
It comes just weeks after Roach reportedly married his long-term partner, as fans also donated to a fundraising page set up in aid of his treatment for the disease.
Formed in 1987 and quickly becoming a popular staple of the Los Angeles rock scene, Junkyard became known for their similarity to the early sound of Guns N’ Roses, after the two bands started out being signed to the same label, Geffen Records.
The band experienced turbulent periods over the years, being dropped by the label after the release of their first two albums, but still maintaining their popularity through regular slots on the local live circuit, especially through songs such as ‘Simple Man’ and ‘Hollywood’.
Enduring various line-up changes, breakups and reformations throughout the 1990s and the 2000s – including putting out their two records Joker and XXX in 1998 independently – Junkyard’s most recent and final effort featuring Roach was the album High Water, which was released in 2017.
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