Friday, May 26, 2017
Celebrities turn out for funeral of rock icon Cornell
LOS ANGELES, United States - A host of celebrities turned out in Los Angeles on Friday for a private funeral service for grunge rock icon Chris Cornell, who was found dead in his hotel room last week.
Among those who gathered at Hollywood Forever Cemetery to pay their respects as the singer's ashes were buried were actors Brad Pitt and Josh Brolin, singer Pharrell Williams and Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie Presley.
Billboard.com said the service included eulogies by guitarist Tom Morello and Brolin.
Cornell, one of the most recognizable voices of Seattle's grunge scene, was found hanging in his hotel room in Detroit on May 18 shortly after he finished a show with his main band Soundgarden.
The coroner's office has ruled the death a suicide but his wife said the 52-year-old may have overdosed on anti-anxiety medication.
The singer's attorney Kirk Pasich said fans would be allowed to visit his grave Friday afternoon following the funeral service.
Cornell is survived by his wife of 13 years Vicky and their two teenage children, a boy and a girl.
He is also survived by another child from a previous marriage.
Cornell, who had a vocal range of nearly four octaves, was one of the most versatile singers in grunge, the subgenre that blended the rough edges of punk with dark introspection.
His death closed another chapter in the Seattle-based grunge scene. Kurt Cobain, who defined grunge with his band Nirvana, shot himself in 1994 and Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland died on a tour bus in 2015 from a drug overdose.
His widow Vicky, a Greek music publicist whom he met when she was working in Paris, wrote a moving tribute to her late husband this week in which she expressed her heartbreak.
"You were the best father, husband and son-in-law," she said in the letter published by Billboard.com. "Your patience, empathy and love always showed through."
"We had the time of our lives in the last decade and I'm sorry, my sweet love, that I did not see what happened to you that night," she added. "I'm sorry you were alone, and I know that was not you, my sweet Christopher. Your children know that too, so you can rest in peace."
source: news.abs-cbn.com
Thursday, April 16, 2015
What Alice Cooper says about Jay R's performance
MANILA - American rock icon Alice Cooper was apparently impressed with Jay R's impersonation on "Your Face Sounds Familiar" that he urged his more than half a million followers on Twitter to check out his performance.
On Tuesday, the 67-year-old Cooper posted a link to the R&B singer's performance with the caption: "Check out Jay R channeling his inner Alice Cooper on the Manila show @yourfacesounds! #AliceCooper."
Asked for his reaction, Jay R said in an interview aired on "Aquino & Abunda Tonight" on Wednesday: "I feel very proud that the 'Godfather of Shock Rock' made a comment about the performance."
"Kasi iniisip ko din that if he didn't like it baka negative pa 'yung masabi, pero at least, walang negative na lumabas. I'm very happy," he continued.
Jay R, one of the eight celebrity contestants of ABS-CBN's version of the hit show, has already won twice --one for his impersonation of Pinoy rock icon Pepe Smith and another for his performance as iconic country singer Kenny Rogers.
Cooper, whose decorated career spans more than five decades, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last 2011. He has been credited for having invented theatrical rock.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Morrissey asks PNoy to free Manila Zoo elephant

MANILA, Philippines – Rock icon Morrissey called on President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday, ahead of a Manila concert, to send what the star described as Manila Zoo’s long-suffering elephant into retirement.
The British ex-singer of alternative rock group The Smiths said Mali, 37, deserved a reprieve from a lifetime of confinement.
“I ask that you send Mali to a sanctuary, where she would have room to roam and be able to be among other members of her own species,” Morrissey wrote ahead of his concert at the World Trade Center on Sunday.
Aquino’s office received the letter Thursday and is evaluating it, his spokeswoman Abigail Valte told reporters.
Echoing allegations by the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Morrissey, a renowned vegetarian, said Mali had been unable to roam and socialize unlike her cousins in the wild.
“Her life consists of extreme loneliness, boredom and isolation in an area that is a fraction of the size of her natural habitat,” he said, suggesting this could drive her to insanity.
PETA, which Morrissey supports, wants Mali shipped to a US sanctuary for old, sick or needy elephants that have been retired from zoos and circuses.
It was not the first time Aquino’s intervention had been sought over conditions at the nearly 53-year-old zoo.
Last year a college student’s blog about apparently mistreated zoo animals provoked an instant Internet global furore and forced Aquino to call on officials to look into their welfare.
Manila Zoo chief veterinarian Donald Manalastas insisted Thursday that contrary to allegations Mali, donated by Sri Lanka in 1980 after its parents were poached, was well and fit.
“We have expanded the enclosure of Mali and increased her food with more nutrients. We have proof and papers of what we feed her. We do not torture her,” Manalastas told AFP.
source: interaksyon.com
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
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

