Karl Roy Speaks About Fame and Life

[ Ed's note: The following interview ran in the August 2007 issue of FHM Philippines. Karl Roy passed away this morning, 13 March 2012 at 1:01am. He was 43]

How does it feel to be among rock legends included in this project?
I don't even know what to say because I don't even know what makes a legend. 'Pag tinawag naman kaming "rockstar" ano ba dating noon? Parang diva ba yun? Ha ha!

Was your Aortic Valve Replacement operation your life-changing moment?
Not really. I think what mellowed me down was more spiritually. Kasi even after the operation, wild pa rin ang buhay ko. You name it. I've done it.

How aggressive can your female fans get?
Siguro those women who ask for your numbers at mga makukulit ng tawag ng tawag sa iyo. Obviously, they're trying to get into your pants. Kapag ganoon, I tell them that I don't have a phone.

But what if you like the woman?
Dati siguro I'd give in to temptation. Now it's all about resistance.

You've already been with three bands. How do you know that it's time to move on?
There are a lot of reasons why bands disband. But you will feel it's time when even though all the members tried to make it work, dysfunctional pa rin.  

But are you in good terms with your former band mates?
Yes, I still see them. What happened to is sacrifice rin in order to still make good music. Kaya my life now focuses on the band, Kapatid and music. Period.

Do the vices really have to come with the job description?
It doesn't have to be that way. Pero in my case, noon nakita ko yun sa surroundings ko, I got curious. Curiousity brought me here. But as I've said, hinay-hinay na ako ngayon.

How much does being a family man account for this mellowing?
I don't know. Parang tatamaan ka na lang ng kidlat and you'll realize that the fame comes with a responsiblity— to my kids and to those na nakikinig sa aking musika, bata, matanda, pati yung mga ka-edad ko. I got to practice what I preach. I got to be myself.

How challenging it is to stay clean in your world?
It's very hard. Madaming lason diyan. But I'm trying to go straight now. Music na lang and band. Gusto ko pa kasi abutin nang todo talaga ang top. Stretch my career further, pati na rin yung buhay ko.

THIS INTERVIEW WAS FIRST PUBLISHED AT RED HORSE'S PINOY ROCK LEGENDS ARTICLE IN THE AUGUST 2007 ISSUE