Melbourne/Naarm-based rock’n’roll band Romero have shared the sad news that guitarist Adam Johnstone died of cancer in mid-October. He was 32. The band’s drummer, Dave Johnstone, posted a lengthy tribute to his late brother and bandmate on Romero’s social media channels. “I am left incomplete now that he is gone,” said Dave Johnstone.
Johnstone had been battling cancer since 2019 and passed away at home, with family and friends by his side, on Tuesday, 17th October. “He was my brother, bandmate and best friend for my whole life,” said Dave. Johnstone was also a member of the band Summer Blood and recorded solo under the alias Boredwalk.
Romero – ‘Halfway Out the Door’
Romero released their debut album, Turn It On!, in April 2022. It caught the attention of US tastemakers Pitchfork, who called it “a perfect soundtrack to sweltering drives to the beach and sweaty times at the bar.”
Pitchfork‘s Evan Minsker summed up Romero’s sound as “equal parts joyous power pop, scuzzy punk, and early ’00s NYC indie sleaze—with some Thin Lizzy-ass ’70s hard-rock guitar solos to turn up the excitement a few more notches.”
In his statement, Dave Johnstone revealed that Adam had “recorded the Romero album and 7” while in various stages of treatment, and remained tough (and vegan) until the very end.” Johnstone “fought so hard over the past 5 years,” said Dave, and “[he] deserves the peaceful rest and eternal sunshine of whatever lies beyond.”
Further Reading
Jamie Tiller, DJ and Music From Memory Co-Founder, Has Died
