Nov
12
UPDATE: RIP: Performer-Musician-Activist Joe Romero
November 12, 2007 |
[UPDATE: 11/13/07]
Gay Porn Times has confirmed the death of performer-activist-musician Joe Romero. He died October 30 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Mr. Romero’s partner, who notified the industry of his passing, told me he passed of “HIV complications; his body just couldn’t handle everything.” Although quiet in recent years, for a time Joe Romero was one of gay adult’s most colorful, and prolific, personalities. He made dozens of films between 1994-2006 and carved out an alternative career as a musician as well as an outspoken activist for HIV/AIDS organizations and the leather community. He is survived by his partner, father and two sisters. Read on for additional details (we’re working to confirm other pertinent information)…
“I am absolutely devastated. I cannot express the depth of my grief. I knew Joe really well…he starred in MARRIED COPS DO for me and I starred in films with him. I am absolutely obliterated by this news,” said director Blue Blake. “I’m in shock. How sad. We were all buddies,” helmer Gino Colbert told my colleague, Mark Adams.
Apart from his prolific adult video career, Joe Romero toured the U.S. and Europe in support of his two CDs, “Heavy Metal Porno Star” and “Sexpig” which he self-released on his own label, MotoRock Records. He dubbed himself the “Shock Rock Pornstar” and was embraced in particular by the leather community. “His persona as a hellraiser was his public image,” Mr. Romero’s partner wrote in his obituary. “Privately, he volunteered for organizations such as PAWS LA, AIDS Project Los Angeles and The Tom of Finland Foundation. (He) was an uncommon and vibrant spirit. He will be missed.”
Joe Romero appeared in nearly 100 films as a performer, for nearly every major studio and director. Here are some of his better known titles: BIKER PIGS FROM HELL 1-2 (Wildcat Productions, 1999-2000); COCKPIT (Catalina Video, 2001); COURTING LIBIDO (HIS Video Gold, 1995); EROTIKUS (Catalina Video, 1996); DREAM LOVER (Catalina Video, 1995); HOT COPS (Centaur Films, 1996); HOW TO GET A MAN IN BED (Forum Studios, 1995); LEATHER OBSESSION (Forum Studios, 1995); MARRIED COPS DO (Big Blue Productions, 2001); MOTEL SEX (Gino Pictures, 2002); TECHNICAL ECSTASY (Men of Odyssey, 1999). His final film appears to have been LEATHER DADDIES GANG-BANGING BRAD BENTON (U.S. Male) in 2006.
[Top photo © Mark Adley.]
Contact JC Adams at JCAdamsXXX@aol.com
Comments
14 Comments so far
That’s insane. I came over here to read about Haus Weston’s passing, and now this.
RIP, Joe. You will be missed and remembered forever by this porn fan.
[...] article from GayPornTimes.com … “He passed of √¢‚Ǩ≈ìHIV complications; his body just couldn√¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t handle everything.√¢‚Ǩ¬ù [...]
[...] · Sad news, RIP: Haus Weston, 1978-2007. And RIP: Joe Romero. [...]
RIP , you were a great performer with that wonderful thick black hair. you brought some joy to this guy from over the ocean. God bless you and thanbks for all those good movies and u won’t be forgotten!
Just an unknown porn fan here. I saw so many Joe Romero movies over the years and I do wonder sometimes what they’re doing now. They’re human just like the rest of us. It’s sad that he’s gone. But his movies live on, he practiced his music and got to travel (which I never have done), and he obviously had people who cared and respected his life enough to take the effort to let his fans and the people who knew him what happened. He had a good life and brought a lot of pleasure to people. That is worth remembering.
I will just say you gave a lot to the community Joe you’ll be missed,
Dave, I’ll miss our email exchanges. Rest in peace and thanks for being my friend. -Brian
joe (dave) i meet you Oct.31ST 2005. at the tudoor. manchester.i was so happy to meet you . you are my biggest star. i will always have a part of you in my heart .i wish i had the time to know you . r.i.p. my heart crys for you. you gave me joy for years. love steve.xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxo
R.I.P. Joe Romero was one of the Hunkiest Men to ever be in the Porn Industry! Also a very dedicated Guy to causes he believed in. He will be missed!
As the year comes to a close, I want to convey my good wishes and positive thoughts to Joe’s family and friends and his partner during this holiday season. I don’t know if they’ll ever see this, but Joe will always be remembered by this fan. RIP, Joe.
This is most shocking to me as well. It’s typical for me to buy or rent any xxx movie with Joe Romero in it. I loved his body, face —-and yes feet. I have an intense foot fetish & Joe starred in a movie a few years back just for us foot fans. The title of the film was “Suck Ten”. The scene he did in the movie was EXPLOSIVE. His feet were so large & sexy & he was really into the scene in the same way he performed in all of his films. I will miss his natural presence on film.
No lo puedo creer, siempre mantuve la esperanza de un día conocerlo en persona, y qué pena.
my name is dale j romero joe romero was my uncle thank u to everyone who has been his fan we miss him dearly. he will always be in our hearts.