David Roach, the vocalist and founding member of the Los Angeles hard rock band Junkyard, died Friday, August 1, at his home following a battle with aggressive squamous cell carcinoma. He was 59.
The band announced Roach’s death on social media Saturday, stating that he passed away peacefully at home in the arms of his wife Jennifer. The singer had been diagnosed with the aggressive form of skin cancer affecting his head, neck and throat in January 2025, according to multiple reports.
Roach’s death came just two weeks after he married Jennifer on July 19, 2025, in a ceremony attended by his bandmates. The band posted wedding photos on July 20 showing Roach in a wheelchair surrounded by his fellow musicians, along with an image of the couple exchanging rings at the altar.
The band described their late frontman as “a gifted artist, performer, songwriter, and singer—but above all, a devoted father, husband, and brother.” Band members indicated that their thoughts remain with the entire Roach family and everyone who loved him.
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Roach co-founded Junkyard in Los Angeles in 1987. The group quickly established itself within the city’s Sunset Strip hard rock scene, though they distinguished themselves from the typical hair metal bands of the era with their blues-based sound and biker aesthetic.
The band’s lineup initially included guitarist Chris Gates and, briefly, skateboarding pioneer Tony Alva on bass. Guitarist Brian Baker, who later joined Bad Religion, became part of the group in 1989. That same year, Junkyard released their self-titled debut album on Geffen Records, the same label that housed Guns N’ Roses.
The debut album achieved modest commercial success, peaking at number 105 on the Billboard 200. The record spawned several singles, including “Hollywood,” “Blooze,” and “Simple Man,” with the latter reaching number 47 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay charts. The band gained early exposure through MTV’s Headbangers Ball with their video for “Hollywood.”
In 1991, Junkyard opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd on the Southern rock legends’ headlining tour. That same year, the band released their second album “Sixes, Sevens & Nines,” produced by Ed Stasium, who had worked with the Ramones, Talking Heads, and Motorhead.
The album featured the single “All the Time in the World,” which performed better commercially than previous releases, reaching number 24 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay charts. The acoustic track “Slippin’ Away” showcased the band’s country influences and featured songwriter Steve Earle providing harmony vocals.
However, 1991 also marked the release of Nirvana’s “Nevermind,” which fundamentally shifted the music landscape away from Los Angeles hard rock. Junkyard became a casualty of this musical sea change, with Geffen dropping the band shortly after their second album release. The group disbanded in 1992.
The band had already recorded a third album before their split, which was later released independently in 1998 across two separate issues titled “XXX” and “The Joker.” In 2000, Junkyard reunited and released the live album “Shut Up – We’re Tryin’ to Practice!,” which captured a 1989 performance at the Hollywood Palace during the band’s prime.
After years of sporadic touring, Junkyard released “High Water” in 2017, their first new studio album in more than 25 years. The record reached the top 25 of Billboard’s Hard Rock Album Sales Chart, satisfying longtime fans who had requested new material for decades. The band released a standalone single titled “Lifer” in 2021.
Roach’s cancer diagnosis became public in February 2025 following an illness that began with a fever and a persistent cough. A GoFundMe campaign launched by Jennifer and close friends raised approximately $35,000 to help cover medical expenses. Jennifer had stepped away from full-time employment to serve as Roach’s primary caregiver during his treatment.
Former bandmate Chris Gates paid tribute to Roach on social media, reflecting on their relationship that began when they first met as teenagers in Texas. Gates noted that he loved Roach like a little brother and that, despite their ups and downs over the years, that bond never changed. He expressed that he would miss making music with Roach but that the singer would always remain an important part of him.
Riki Rachtman, former host of MTV’s Headbangers Ball, remembered Roach on Instagram, describing him as the singer of a true rock and roll band and encouraging fans to play some Junkyard music in his memory.