Karl Roy's final journey

MANILA, Philippines -- Pinoy rock icon Karl Roy, who passed away early Tuesday morning, March 13, was laid to rest Sunday.

After a mass early this afternoon at Mount Carmel church in New Manila Quezon City, Roy's ashes were brought to the family mausoleum at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina at 5:30 PM.

Friends, fellow musicians, loved ones and fans celebrated Roy's last night at the small chapel of the church where an impromptu tribute concert took place outside.

Music artists including Cynthia Alenxander, Johnny Alegre, Dong Abay, Cookie Chua, Mike Villegas not to mention a "reunited" Kapatid -- Ira Cruz, Nathan Azarcon and J-Hoon Balbuena -- with Razorback frontman and younger brother Kevin Roy, provided the songs and sounds that evening.

Karl Joseph Gregory S. Roy, who fronted alternative rock bands Advent Call, P.O.T and later Kapatid, died from cardiac arrest due to complications brought about by pneumonia. He was 43.

Roy is an iconic figure in the Pinoy rock scene and became one of the purveyors of the emerging alternative music scene in the '90s.

source: interaksyon.com

Karl Roy according to Romeo Lee

MANILA, Philippines - He’s a familiar figure in the art and music scene. Anyone who’s in a band knows Romeo Lee (or at least should know him) especially at a time when the alternative music scene was just about to explode in the late ‘80s to early ‘90s—and before recording companies took notice.

Romeo Lee, who made his hyperactive rendition of “Wild Thing” famous on campus and in various rock concert gigs, is also an artist, punk hero, UP icon, concert organizer, mountaineer, and ukay-ukay connoisseur. He is also the chronicler of the alternative music and art scene. Wherever there is a concert or art opening, you’ll most likely see Lee taking snapshots with his camera. A Facebook group, Paano Mo Nakilala si Romeo Lee, has been created with various people answering the question and featuring hundreds of photos taken by Lee (or Lee posing with various people) throughout the years.

In the ‘90s, in his trademark Doc M’s, tattered Levi’s jeans and t-shirt, and his wild hair, Lee was already herding bands and staging concerts all over the country. And most of the time, even a small budget will do. But Lee and the band didn’t mind. It was all about being able to play their music, having fun, and reaching out to an audience.

Lee first met Karl Roy during those times when the latter was still doing the lead vocals for new wave band Advent Call. But even then, Roy already showed signs of being a good vocalist.

He would get Roy and his next band, P.O.T., at the now legendary ‘Elvis’ concert series hosted by Lee and organized by the UP Mountaineers. The yearly concert, a Christmas treat of sorts every December, has been going on every year for the past two decades now. It’s said to be the Woodstock of the UP Diliman campus as certified rock stars and legends (yes, Pepe Smith) along with other emerging bands would converge and just have fun with their music and audience. The most recent Elvis concert was held last year, titled Elvis Rides Again, revived after a five-year absence.

Lee found a kinship in Roy as both would get the chance to perform together onstage, Lee with his Mick Jagger-like wild dance and Roy with his equally animated movements and soulful voice would excite the audience and bring them to loud cheers and delighted howls. The natural rapport was palpable.

Off stage, however, Lee also saw another side of Roy—a compassionate and kind person who cared deeply about his music and other people. Once, Lee relates, he found Roy sleeping on a bench in Vinzons’ Hall in UP after an ‘Elvis’ concert. It was 4 a.m. He woke up Roy and brought him out to have coffee. Down with his last buck, Lee surmises, Roy even managed to give a child some money. Beyond the fierce onstage performances, his tattooed skin and body piercings, Roy says Lee, was really a good guy with a lot of heart. “Natural na mabait talaga siya,” he said, “Mami-miss ko din siya.”

Here’s a video of Romeo Lee as he remembers his happy times with Karl Roy.

source: interkasyon.com

Karl Roy to be cremated, family says

MANILA, Philippines - (UPDATE 3:30 p.m.) Pinoy rock icon Karl Roy, who passed away early Tuesday morning, will be immediately cremated, said Kevin Roy, Karl's younger brother and frontman of the band Razorback.

He died from complications due to pneumonia, according to Jay Alviar, Roy's ex-drummer for Advent Call, in a text message to InterAksyon.com

Interment will begin on Wednesday at the Mount Carmel Church in New Manila, Quezon City.

In his Facebook page post, Kevin wrote: "Right now our phones are exploding with messages of sympathy and condolences. Thank you all but our phones are still exploding. Right now we are claiming the body and are prepping for immediate cremation. We will let you know when and where the services and parties will take place... Remember... Karl would've wanted it this way."

Karl Roy, lead vocalist of the band Kapatid and P.O.T., was 44.

Roy's death was announced by his sister, Kathryn Roy, on Facebook. He was said to have passed away in his home surrounded by members of his family, including his daughter Arianna. He is survived by his wife Dena.

Roy is an iconic figure in the Pinoy rock scene and became one of the purveyors of the emerging alternative music scene in the '90s. Whether he was singing a new wave song as he did when he first started out, a funk jazz or reggae piece, or a Pinoy rock song he penned himself, Roy's soulful and intense performances always stood out from the rest.

In an interview with Rogue Magazine in 2009, he said that his grandfather originally wanted him to become a soldier and run for president of the country; but all Karl wanted, he said, was to play and create music.

In the early '90s, he became recognized as the lead vocalist for Advent Call. After it disbanded, he formed P.O.T. and later Kapatid with the scene's heavyweights such as J-Hoon Balbuena on drums, Ira Cruz on guitars, Nathan Azarcon on bass, Chico Molina on guitars, and Paul Zialcita on percussions. The members left the band one at a time until Karl was the only original member left. But with determination to continue with the music, Karl got together new members like Louie Talan on bass, Paolo Rosal on drums, and Anjones Elemos on guitars.

In 2008, a benefit concert was mounted for Roy who had suffered from multiple strokes.

Fans have been inundating a Facebook fan page for Roy with tributes.

Kevin, said their family will be releasing an official statement within the day.

source: interaksyon.com

Rock icon Karl Roy passes away

MANILA, Philiipines -- (4rd UPDATE 3:30 p.m.) Karl Roy, lead vocalist of the band Kapatid and P.O.T., passed away early morning Tuesday, March 13, at 1:01 a.m. He was 44.

The news was announced by Karl's sister, Kathryn Roy, on Facebook. He was said to have passed away in his home surrounded by members of his family, including his daughter Arianna. He is survived by his wife Dena.

He died from complications due to pneumonia, according to Jay Alviar, Roy's ex-drummer for Advent Call, in a text message to InterAksyon.com

Roy is an iconic figure in the Pinoy rock scene and became one of the purveyors of the emerging alternative music scene in the '90s. Whether he was singing a new wave song as he did when he first started out, a funk jazz or reggae piece, or a Pinoy rock song he penned himself, Roy's soulful and intense performances always stood out from the rest.

source: interaksyon.com