Junkyard frontman David Roach dies two weeks after marriage

The frontman of the California rock band Junkyard , David Roach, has died at the age of 59, two months after announcing that he had been diagnosed with aggressive skin cancer in January. "First and foremost, we want to thank you all for the overwhelming support and love you have shown us during this incredibly difficult time," the band wrote on social media. "After a courageous battle with cancer, David passed away peacefully last night at home, in the loving arms of his wife."

It was in June when the band's fan community was shocked by the news of their vocalist's serious illness, communicated by his group. "First and foremost, we want to thank you all for the overwhelming support and love you've shown us during this incredibly difficult time. We wish we could respond to each and every one of you, but honestly, there are no words right now. We're still struggling to process the news we received on Tuesday," the Los Angeles band wrote. Roach had a "continuous fever and cough," which led him to be admitted to the emergency room , where he received "results that have completely shattered our world."

Since then, Roach had been receiving treatment for an "aggressive squamous cell carcinoma affecting his head, neck, and throat," but nothing has been able to stop the disease's progress. Despite everything, the artist decided to marry his partner, Jennifer, just two weeks ago . "Congratulations to the happy couple: Mr. and Mrs. David Patrick Roach," his group announced on Instagram on July 20, sharing photos of the ceremony, including one of them gathered around Roach sitting in a wheelchair. In another, the late singer exchanged rings with his new wife at the altar.

His bandmates have described him as "a gifted artist, performer, songwriter, and singer, but above all, a devoted father, husband, and brother," and conclude their farewell letter: "Our thoughts are with the entire Roach family and all those who loved him."

Junkyard formed in 1987 with former members of Minor Threat, Big Boys, Decry, and Dag Nasty . A few months later, they signed to Geffen Records, and in 1988, they released their self-titled debut album. After releasing their second album, Sixes, Sevens & Nines, they were dropped and disbanded in 1992, only to reunite in 2000.

Since then, they have toured non-stop throughout the United States and Europe (they have come to Spain many times, sometimes headlining rock festivals), and in 2008 they released an album of previously unreleased material, originally recorded for the demo that helped them sign with Geffen, entitled 'Put It on Ten and Pull the Knobs Off!'. In 2017 they released their first studio album in almost 20 years, 'High Water', and in 2019 a studio album recorded in 1992, 'Old Habits Die Hard', ultimately their swansong, was released.