Latest news with #Geffen
Yahoo
3 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
Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Tributes pour in as rock icon dies aged 59
The band were popular amongst the glam/hard rock scene in Los Angeles David Roach, the singer of the 1980s hard rock band Junkyard, has died aged 59. Roach was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, in March. His bandmates announced the singer's death on Sunday via Instagram. 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Roach,' read Junkyard's post. '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.' Upon his diagnosis, Roach's fiancée stepped away from her full-time job to become his primary caregiver. According to reports, Roach got married to his fiancée only a few weeks ago. In March, a GoFundMe was set up to help the musician with his medical expenses. The GoFundMe is still active, and all donations made will go to settling the singer's medical fees. Roach co-founded Junkyard in 1987 with guitarist Chris Gates, who paid tribute to Roach on social media: '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 loved 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.' Junkyard were popular in the Los Angeles Sunset Strip area for their hard rock sound. The band released two albums via Geffen record label before their split in 1992. In 2000, when the band got back together, they released Shut Up- We're Tryin To Practice! This album was recorded live in 1989, at Hollywood Palace and included their big hit Hollywood. Following this, Junkyard toured the album for many years. In 1991, they went on tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd for the band's headline tour. Roach is survived by his wife Jennifer, along with his son, brother and sisters.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
David Roach, Junkyard Vocalist and Frontman, Dies at 59
David Roach, the vocalist of veteran East Hollywood rock band Junkyard, has passed away at the age of 59 following a battle with cancer. News of Roach's passing was confirmed by Junkyard's official social media account in a post made on Saturday (Aug. 2). More from Billboard Jelly Roll Brings Grit & Heart to In-Ring Debut at WWE SummerSlam 2025 Jerry Garcia Has Childhood Street Named for Him in San Francisco Cardi B Kicks Off Night One of WWE SummerSlam 2025: 'We're Making History Tonight' 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Roach,' the post read. '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.' Originally hailing from Austin, Texas, Roach rose to fame as the frontman for Junkyard, which formed in Los Angeles in 1987 out of the ashes of the short-lived Texas outfit Strappados. Initially boasting the likes of influential skateboarder Tony Alva in the lineup, the group released its self-titled debut on the Geffen label in 1989, with its membership also including the likes of former Minor Threat guitarist Brian Baker, just years prior to his joining Bad Religion. The group's debut was a modest success, peaking at No. 105 on the Billboard 200, and spawning singles such as 'Blooze,' 'Hollywood,' and 'Simple Man,' with the latter reaching No. 47 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay charts. Though 1991's Sixes, Sevens & Nines wouldn't chart, the group's final record as part of the Geffen stable did result in the single 'All the Time in the World,' which outperformed its predecessor when it reached No. 24 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay charts. The group would be dropped by Geffen soon after and they split in 1992, with their unreleased third album later being issued independently in 1998. Junkyard would reform in 1999, performing regularly and issuing a handful of releases ahead of a new studio album in 2017 called High Water. Their final record, it reached the top 25 of Billboard's Hard Rock Album Sales Chart and put an end to years of requests from fans for new music. 'There's a diehard fan base that never stopped digging us,' guitarist Tim Mosher told Billboard in 2017. 'During our sporadic touring we would always come across fans asking us when we would release a proper full-length.' In March 2025, Junkyard announced that Roach had been battling 'aggressive squamous cell carcinoma affecting his head, neck, and throat,' and launched a GoFundMe campaign to aid in his treatment. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
New York Times
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Hypergamy? David Geffen's Divorce Gives New Meaning to an Old Term
It was a small detail amid a torrent of salacious accusations in the ongoing divorce drama between entertainment mogul David Geffen, 82, and his estranged husband, David Armstrong. Last week, Mr. Armstrong, a 32-year-old former exotic dancer who has also used the name Donovan Michaels, filed a lengthy civil suit in Los Angeles, filled with allegations that Mr. Geffen used drugs and was abusive, and calling Mr. Geffen 'an exploiter, masquerading as a white knight while hiding behind wealth, philanthropy, and fame.' And tucked into that litany of accusations — which Mr. Geffen's lawyer blasted, calling it a 'false, pathetic lawsuit' — is the assertion that the couple met on the dating website now known as which describes itself as 'a space for love and luxury to meet,' through a mutual commitment to hypergamy, something it mentions and promotes repeatedly on its website. Hyperga-what? Hypergamy is broadly defined by dictionaries as marrying or becoming involved with someone who has more financial resources or social status than you. 'Marrying up' was an old, somewhat polite way of putting it; there are less polite ways, as well. — formerly known as — has been considered a major player in the 'sugar dating' world, where sites connect romantic partners interested in exchanging gifts or money for companionship, sometimes with sexual overtones. Sites have been accused of fostering manipulative and transactional emotional relationships, and monetizing dating in a way that occasionally borders on prostitution. For its part, describes hypergamy in rosy fashion as 'a romantic relationship with someone whose strengths complement your weaknesses, enhancing both partners' growth, success, and social status through the relationship.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Perth Now
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Billionaire film mogul David Geffen sued by estranged husband Donovan Michaels
David Geffen is being sued by his estranged husband. The 82-year-old film producer is accused of treating Donovan Michaels, 32, like a "living social experiment" during the couple's two-year marriage in a lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Michaels has accused Geffen of breach of contract and alleges that the record executive kicked him out of their New York while he attended Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos's wedding to Lauren Sanchez in Venice last month and went back on a promise to give him lifelong financial support. The lawsuit alleges that Geffen – who has an estimated net worth of $8.8 billion – used a "toxic mix of seduction, control, promises of love and lavish displays of wealth to entrap" Michaels in a loop of "dependency, submission and humiliation". Patty Glaser, a partner at the law firm representing the film mogul, said: "There was no contract – express, written, oral or implied – that has ever existed. We will be vigorously and righteously defending against this false, pathetic lawsuit." The complaint says that Geffen met Michaels on the dating site in 2016 and paid him $10,000 for sex. The couple married in a private Beverly Hills ceremony in 2023 and the complaint claims that Geffen did not seek a prenuptial agreement. The DreamWorks co-founder filed for divorce in May, citing irreconcilable differences, and the pair had kept details of their separation private until Michaels filed his lawsuit. The dancer – whose real name is David Armstrong – described himself in the lawsuit as a vulnerable young gay black man who had been exploited by a "wealthy, powerful white gay billionaire who believed himself untouchable". Geffen is alleged to have criticised "every aspect of Michaels's appearance" and body hygiene that required him to get "painful" laser and dental treatments. Michaels claims that he was frequently subjected to "back-handed insults and put-downs" about his "past and lack of sophistication". He likened the pair's relationship to the plot of the movie Trading Places and alleges that Geffen treated him like "a living social experiment – a trophy to show off to his wealthy friends, under the guise of benevolence". The lawsuit states: "Geffen told Michaels he loved him, and the two agreed to treat each other as life partners, share all assets equally and that Geffen would support Michaels financially for life. "Michaels gave up his dreams – his modelling career, his independence – to dedicate himself fully to this promise." The suit also alleges that Geffen ordered Michaels to "immediately vacate" the couple's New York home as he partied aboard his $400 million Rising Sun superyacht in the lead-up to the Bezos wedding. It states that Michaels was left homeless as Geffen was "decadently and extravagantly partying and dancing the night away in Venice, Italy with the other 0.0001 per cent of the wealthiest people on the planet". The complaint says: "While Geffen holds himself out to the public as an extraordinarily charitable man whose foundation gives millions and millions of dollars to advocacy and support groups for the homeless and disadvantaged populations, he is simultaneously endeavouring to render Michaels impoverished and homeless."
