Pinoy rock icon Joey 'Pepe' Smith dies

MANILA -- Legendary Pinoy rock icon Joey "Pepe" Smith has passed away. He was 71.

The sad news was shared online by his daughter Daisy Smith-Owen on Monday morning.

"Thank you for everything papa bear ko. Thank you for being the best dad in the world. I know you're in the best place now, no more pains papa.. i will see you in few days. I love you to the moon and back," Smith-Owen wrote in her Facebook page.

Smith-Owen said Smith was rushed to the hospital early Monday. The musician suffered a stroke in November 2017 and also recently underwent eye operation.

Before his successful solo career, Smith was part of the iconic Juan dela Cruz band with Wally Gonzalez and Mike Hanopol.

"Juan dela Cruz" band is known for their hits "Beep Beep," "Balong Malalim," "Titser's Enemy No. 1," "Himig Natin," "No Touch" and "Kahit Anong Mangyari."

In an interview in December 2017, Smith said he would like to believe that his songs were his biggest legacy.

"Yung mga kantang ginawa ko. Yung tinugtog ko at ng bandang Juan dela Cruz. Siyempre kapag pinakinggan nila yan, parang bumabalik sila doon. That's the only connection to it," he said.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

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 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