Seems like a domino effect's in motion. Adam Adamowicz - Ralph Mcquarrie - Jean Giraud (Moebius) - And now local rock icon Karl Roy...

We used to watch his band "Advent Call" at the local rock bar/fire trap "Red Rocks." When their set was on my friends and I, along with the majority of the Friday crowd, would rush up the already congested stairway. Entering that tiny space, where the bands would play at an intimate distance to the audience, we were guaranteed a performance, via their frontman Karl Roy, so highly charged that dehydration was a risk and a cigarette was a need - especially if you're female.

The few times I got to meet him he always had a gorgeous woman. I doubt if he ever remembered me during those moments when we were introduced (usually by "Color it Red" bassist Hank P.), but if you're a rock god with a goddess entwined around you, then that's to be expected. As I remember he moved like a three-way hybrid Mick Jagger-Jim Morrison-Mike Patton packed into a tiny, lithe, wiry body that looked like a beginning canvas by Kat Von D. His performances were adaptable like mercury; feral, fiery and bleeding testosterone when the songs had to smash walls, or serene, graceful, almost spiritual when the pace had to slow. He is a Pinoy Rock God and it was effortless and real.

The next time I was introduced to him he was with another goddess, in a dance club. At that time "Advent Call" was no more and he was fronting "P. O. T." On the request of the goddess he hesitatingly showed us a new tattoo he had on the right side of his chest - the ink was clearly multiplying. I vaguely recall that it was some tribal pattern, but what was distressingly clear was the scar that stretched from below his sternum to just above his belly button. What went around then was he had an open heart procedure a few months back. We were in our twenties, life went on...

And I just received a text message tonight from a friend stating Karl Roy had moved on, at 43. That his name was the hottest trending topic on Yahoo Philippines and all the major network and Philippine news sites. God, it's been ages since those glorious live performances at "Red Rocks" and "Club Dredd." Yet what I best remember is that Karl Roy is a Pinoy Rock God, and the goddesses were finally calling him to burn the skies.

Thanks for the music...          

Links to this fantastic performer:

Pinoy rock legend Karl Roy dies at 43

Pinoy rock icon Karl Roy dies

The Resurrection of Karl Roy - Very touching account of a 2009 performance.

Damn! My journal entries are on a very disturbing trend.