The Sault Metal Scene would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of veteran local rock singer/guitarist Jason "Jugga" Roy, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 53, as per numerous personal Facebook postings. A native of Geraldton, Ontario, Jason is best known from SMS coverage as the frontman and only constant member of local classic/hard rock cover band Havadder, who were active off and on from 2009-2016. You may recognize Havadder as regulars at venues like The Rockstar Bar, Foggy Notions, and The Nicolet Tavern, while they also played at Toystock in 2015 and various other venues as a headliner or featured attraction, and opened for Lou Gramm and Chilliwack at 2012's Rock N' Roar Festival in Spanish. From 2011-2012, Havadder pulled a "Gates of Ypres" when they absorbed most members of contemporary classic/hard rock cover band Turner Up, with Jason playing rhythm guitar in that band then as well.
Jason was not active in new bands after 2016, and while I'm not at liberty to go into detail about the personal struggles that he endured in the past decade, I did notice that postings on his personal Facebook page drastically decreased in that time (unfortunately, he also took down Havadder's Facebook page after their final breakup). I knew Jason a bit from friendly interactions at concerts, and he was a good guy with a strong voice and real guitar skill, and he had a keen eye for talent, based on the notable artists that filled out Havadder's ranks across their seven year run. We'll let you know when the obituary and details on services are publicized, but keep the Roy family in your thoughts at this time. R.I.P. Jason!
