David Roach, singer of ’80s hard rock band Junkyard has died, aged 59

David Roach, singer of 1980s hard rock band Junkyard has died, aged 59.

Roach’s death was announced yesterday (August 3) via his bandmates on social media. It comes after the singer was diagnosed with aggressive squamous cell carcinoma in late March.

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.

“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.”

According to news reports, David Roach had gotten married just a few weeks ago.

A GoFundMe fundraiser was launched in late March in support of the musician’s medical fees, as he required around-the-clock care and supervision. His fiancé stepped away from her full-time job to serve as his primary caregiver. The fundraiser is still active, and donations made will go towards settling the musician’s fees.

Roach co-founded Junkyard in 1987, who quickly became a big name in Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip scene, which was popular among up-and-coming glam and hard rock acts. They were often compared to early Guns ‘N Roses, and like GNR, were also signed to Geffen.

Junkyard’s core line-up consisted of Roach on vocals, guitarists Chris Gates and Brian Baker, bassist Clay Anthony and drummer Patrick Muzingo. Muzingo had also played in early iterations of Minor Threat and Dag Nasty.

The band released their first two albums via Geffen, before being dropped by the label, but continued to gain traction through shows like Headbanger’s Ball for their hit songs ‘Hollywood’ and ‘Simple Man’. In 1991, they would tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd on the latter band’s headlining tour.

They split up in 1992, but already had an unreleased album ready to go. They released the album across two issues in 1998 while remaining broken up: ‘XXX’ and ‘The Joker’.

Junkyard reunited in 2000 and released the live album ‘Shut Up – We’re Tryin’ To Practice!’, which was recorded in 1989 at the Hollywood Palace. They would continue to tour for several years, and in 2017 released their comeback album ‘High Water’.

In 2000, Junkyard reunited and released the live album Shut Up – We’re Tryin’ to Practice!, a 1989 recording of the band in its prime at the Hollywood Palace. Live tours followed, and in 2017 the group issued the comeback album High Water, its first new studio LP in more than 25 years. A standalone single titled “Lifer” dropped in 2021.

David Roach’s bandmate Chris Gates wrote following the news of his passing: “I loved him like a little brother. We had our ups and downs, but that never changed. My condolences to his brother and sisters, v and to ask the people who lived him or were touched by his/or songs. I’ll miss playing music with him, but he’ll always be an important part of me.”