Lawyer Roy on rocker cousin Karl: We were never approval seekers

MANILA, Philippines—Defense lawyer Jose Roy III on Tuesday night remembered his first cousin, rocker Karl Roy, who earlier succumbed to complications from pneumonia and drew a massive outpouring of grief and sympathies from millions of Filipino rock fans all over the world.

With his voice shaking, Roy told in an exclusive interview with INQUIRER.net’s videographer Noy Morcoso III, who was covering the Corona impeachment trial, that Karl was very close to him.

“Some of the earliest legal works I did for the legal needs of Karl. I continued to be his lawyer up to now,” Roy said.

“He would come to me for all sorts of things,” he added.

On Karl’s music, Roy said he continues to be a believer of his music and “inspired by his creativity.”

Being part of the band boom of the 1990s as vocalist of his earliest band, Advent Call, Karl was a contemporary of what many consider now as rock icons like Ely Buendia, Rico Blanco, Raimund Marasigan, Basti Artadi, Dong Abay, among others.

Karl eventually left Advent Call to form the funk rock-oriented P.O.T and the more diverse, Kapatid.

“Karl and I were never approval seekers,” Roy said. “We don’t believe in conforming for the sake of conformity.”

As for Karl’s fans, Roy hoped they will never forget him.

“I hope they continue to remember him as we continue to miss him. His music remains with those who followed him.”

For more, watch the attached video clip from INQUIRER.net