Dubai: The Philippine music industry has lost one of its most iconic stars with the death of Karl Roy, the rockstar many looked up to for his music, his memorable performances and his life.
Roy died of cardiac arrest Tuesday morning in his home in Manila surrounded by members of his family. He was 43. He is survived by wife Dena and daughter Arianna.
The outpouring of grief in both mainstream and social media is understandable - Roy was one of the singers who made a mark in the 1990s when he and a group of friends started a rock band called Advent Call. After it disbanded, he formed P.O.T. and later Kapatid with other heavyweight names in the Pinoy rock scene, with J-Hoon Balbuena on drums, Ira Cruz on guitars, Nathan Azarcon on bass, Chico Molina on guitars, and Paul Zialcita on percussions. It was with Kapatid that he recorded and performed perhaps his most memorable hit, "Luha".
On stage, Roy was a livewire act - he was so prolific he could play more than three sets in one gig. Off of it, he lived the rockstar lifestyle, courting danger with his bouts of alcoholism and drug use. He suffered a stroke back in 2007, and although he recovered, he continued with his rockstar ways until it finally took a toll on his life.
Younger generations of rock stars and other artists tweeted and recounted their experience jamming with the rock icon. KC Montero, a well-known radio jock and supporter of rock music, said, "God is headbanging. RIP Karl Roy. You're one of the best."
Singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid, also the head of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit (Organisation of Filipino Musicians), tweeted "Rest in peace Karl Roy".
In one of his rare interviews, Roy admitted to a magazine in 2009 (when he had completed recovery from his stroke two years earlier) that his grandfather originally wanted him to become a soldier, and then president. But he said all he ever wanted was to play and create music. And so with his music, he led his own little nation of fanatics that professed undying love for music.
