Latest news with #ChrisGates
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
David Roach, Singer of Eighties Hard-Rock Band Junkyard, Dead at 59
David Roach, singer and founding member of the late-Eighties hard-rock band Junkyard, died Friday after a battle with cancer. The group announced Roach's death in a post on social media on Saturday. He was 59. 'After a courageous battle with cancer, David passed away peacefully last night at home, in the loving arms of his wife,' the statement read. 'He was a gifted artist, performer, songwriter, and singer — but above all, a devoted father, husband, and brother.' More from Rolling Stone Loni Anderson, Emmy-Nominated Star of 'WKRP in Cincinnati,' Dies at 79 Jeannie Seely, Razor-Sharp Country Singer Known as 'Miss Country Soul,' Dead at 85 Flaco Jiménez, Global Tejano Music Ambassador, Dead at 86 While a niche band on Los Angeles' jam-packed Sunset Strip scene of the 1980s, Junkyard stood out for their edgy, blues-based sound and biker look. They were more in line with early Guns N' Roses, both in music and aesthetic, and even the Black Crowes, who'd later open for Junkyard, than make-up and hairspray groups like Poison or Warrant. And Roach's raspy voice — a mix of Southern drawl (he was from Dallas, Texas), cigarette smoke, and a lot of attitude — was the driving force. Junkyard formed in Los Angeles in 1987, with Roach as frontman, Chris Gates on guitar, and, for a brief moment, skateboarding pioneer Tony Alva on bass. Guitarist Brian Baker, who'd go on to play in Bad Religion, joined in 1989 and, that same year, the group released their self-titled debut album on Geffen, also label home to the likeminded GN'R. Despite being more of a blues-rock band than heavy metal, the group gained early traction on MTV's Headbangers Ball with its video for 'Hollywood,' a tale of desperation and hustling in one of America's most mythologized neighborhoods. 'See the boy on the corner/he's only 12 years old/every night he's out there doing his best/to get his goodies sold,' Roach sneered to kick off the song. 'What Hollywood was to us when we were all living there together,' is how Roach described the track in the album's press materials. 'Prostitutes, crack-dealers on the front porch. It wasn't culture shock exactly, but it was a learning experience.' The power ballad 'Simple Man' followed as the next single and underscored the Southern-rock vibes of the group: In 1991, Junkyard would open for Lynyrd Skynyrd on that band's headlining tour. Roach and the group returned to the studio, with Ramones and Living Colour producer Ed Stasium, to record 1991's Sixes, Sevens & Nines. Singles like 'All the Time in the World' doubled down on Junkyard's blues-rock, but added an element of punk, while the acoustic lament 'Slippin' Away' revealed a country influence and featured songwriter Steve Earle on harmony vocals. But 1991 was also the year of Nirvana's Nevermind — released just a few months after Sixes, Sevens & Nines — and the hard rock of L.A. quickly fell out of fashion. Junkyard were a victim of that sea change and Geffen dropped the band, who split up in 1992. In 2000, Junkyard reunited and released the live album Shut Up – We're Tryin' to Practice!, a 1989 recording of the band in its prime at the Hollywood Palace. Live tours followed, and in 2017 the group issued the comeback album High Water, its first new studio LP in more than 25 years. A standalone single titled 'Lifer' dropped in 2021. Along with blues-rock groups like the Four Horsemen, Junkyard stand to many as an underrated alternative to the hair metal of the era. Riki Rachtman, former host of Headbangers Ball, remembered Roach on Instagram. 'We lost a singer of a true rock & roll band,' he said. 'If you want to hear some good rock and roll, play some Junkyard right now.' Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked Solve the daily Crossword
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
NextNav to Participate in the Oppenheimer 28th Annual Virtual Technology, Internet & Communications Conference
RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NextNav Inc. (Nasdaq: NN), a leader in next generation positioning, navigation, timing (PNT) and 3D geolocation, today announced that Chief Executive Officer, Mariam Sorond, and Chief Financial Officer, Chris Gates, will participate in the Oppenheimer 28th Annual Virtual Technology, Internet & Communications Conference, held August 11-13, 2025. NextNav will present from 9:05-9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13, and will host meetings with investors on all three days. To schedule a meeting with NextNav, please reach out to your Oppenheimer representative. A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the NextNav investor relations website at About NextNav NextNav Inc. (Nasdaq: NN) is a leader in next-generation 3D Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions. As the nation's largest license holder in a spectrum band expressly designated for terrestrial positioning services, NextNav is uniquely positioned to enable a widescale terrestrial complement and backup to GPS. Leveraging licensed low-band spectrum and the global 5G ecosystem, NextNav is focused on delivering an accurate, reliable, and resilient 3D PNT solution to protect national security, public safety, and the economy. Learn more at
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Legendary 80s rock singer David Roach dies aged 59 following a battle with skin cancer - just weeks after getting married
Legendary rock singer David Roach has died at the age of 59. The star, who co-founded the rock band Junkyard in 1987, passed away after a battle with skin cance r. He had suffered from an aggressive squamous cell carcinoma that affected his head, neck and throat, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser. In a statement shared on social media by the band, it said: 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Roach. 'After a courageous battle with cancer, David passed away peacefully last night at home, in the loving arms of his wife. 'He was a gifted artist, performer, songwriter, and singer—but above all, a devoted father, husband, and brother. Our thoughts are with the entire Roach family and everyone who loved him. - Junkyard.' His bandmate Chris Gates shared a moving tribute, writing: 'I loved him like a little brother. We had our ups and downs, but that never changed. 'My condolences to his brother and sisters, v and to ask the people who lived him or were touched by his/or songs. 'I'll miss playing music with him, but he'll always be an important part of me. (sic)' Just two weeks ago, Roach married his wife Jennifer, with the couple said to be shattered by his cancer diagnosis. Jennifer wrote on a social media post: 'It's devastating and life-altering, and we're trying to navigate through the emotions and uncertainty that come with it. 'David is showing such incredible strength and resilience, and even in the midst of this darkness, he's still managing to keep his sense of humor. It's a reminder of how amazing he is. 'But we know this journey ahead will be extremely tough, David made it clear he is not giving up hope and we're going to need all of your love and prayers.' Known for his gravelly voice and gritty stage presence, David led his band through the highs and lows of a turbulent career. In June, David admitted that recent results 'completely shattered our world' with the band starting a Go Fund Me to help with medical costs Signed to Geffen Records in 1988, they released their self-titled debut the following year, featuring breakout tracks like Hollywood and Simple Man. They became favourites of the Sunset Strip scene in Los Angeles in the late 1980s, alongside the likes of Mötley Crüe, Guns N' Roses, Poison and Ratt. In 1992, the band was dropped by Geffen, and disbanded soon after. A third album - recorded but unreleased - later surfaced in 1998 under the titles XXX and The Joker. Junkyard got back together in 2000 and went on to release a series of live and studio projects. This included 2003's Tried and True and 2017's comeback album High Water. Their most recent release was the single Lifer in 2021. Junkyard toured with Lynyrd Skynyrd and were regulars on MTV's Headbanger's Ball. WHAT IS SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA? Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the upper layers of the skin. It often looks like scaly red patches, open sores, elevated growths with a central dip or warts, all of which may crust or bleed. They can become disfiguring or life-threatening if allowed to grow. More than one million people are diagnosed with SCC every year in the US. Its UK prevalence is unclear. SCC is mainly caused by overexposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds. People are more likely to suffer if they: Have fair hair or skin Work outdoors Are over 50 Have a personal or family history of the disease Have a suppressed immune system, such as chemotherapy or AIDS patients Squamous cell carcinoma often looks like scaly red patches or open sores Although SCC can occur anywhere on the body, it is most common on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face and hands. SCCs spotted at an early stage and removed promptly are mostly curable and cause minimal damage. Treatment typically includes surgery to remove the growth, as well as radiotherapy and topical drugs. People can reduce their risk of developing the disorder by:
