The Roches were an American vocal trio of sisters Maggie, Terre and Suzzy Roche, from Park Ridge, New Jersey.

Career

In the late 1960s, eldest sister Maggie (October 26, 1951 – January 21, 2017) and middle sister Terre (pronounced "Terry", born April 10, 1953) attended

Park Ridge High School Park Ridge High School is a six-year comprehensive community public high school with an integrated two-year middle school located in the borough of Park Ridge in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in seventh through tw ...

, but dropped out of school to tour as a duo. Maggie wrote most of the songs, with Terre contributing to a few. The sisters got a break when

Paul Simon Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and actor whose career has spanned six decades. He is one of the most acclaimed songwriters in popular music, both as a solo artist and as half of folk roc ...

brought them in as backup singers on his 1973 album '' There Goes Rhymin' Simon''. They got his assistance (along with an appearance by

the Oak Ridge Boys The Oak Ridge Boys are an American country and gospel vocal quartet originating in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The group was founded in the 1940s as the Oak Ridge Quartet. They became popular in Southern gospel during the 1950s. Their name was chang ...

) on their only album as a duo, '' Seductive Reasoning'' (1975). Reviewing ''Seductive Reasoning'' in '' Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies'' (1981),

Robert Christgau Robert Thomas Christgau ( ; born April 18, 1942) is an American music journalist and essayist. Among the most well-known and influential music critics, he began his career in the late 1960s as one of the earliest professional rock critics and ...

said, "Female singing duos must function as mutual support groups; last time a women's sensibility this assured, relaxed, and reflective made it to vinyl was Joy of Cooking. These folkies manque are a little flat here, a little arch there, but in general the shoe fits; no ideological feminism, but plenty of consciousness." Later in the 1970s youngest sister Suzzy (rhymes with "fuzzy", born September 29, 1956) joined the group to form the Roches trio. Around this time, they parlayed bartending jobs at the Greenwich Village folk venue Gerde's Folk City into stage appearances, an experience they commemorated in their song "Face Down at Folk City" (from ''Another World'', 1985). There they met many of their future singing and songwriting collaborators. Terre was now writing songs as well, and by the time of their first album as a trio, '' The Roches'' (1979), Suzzy had also begun writing.

Robert Fripp Robert Fripp (born 16 May 1946) is a British musician, songwriter, record producer, and author, best known as the guitarist, founder and longest-lasting member of the progressive rock band King Crimson. He has worked extensively as a sessio ...

produced the album. Maggie's "The Married Men" from this album was eventually to become the songwriting trio's biggest hit—not for them, but for

Phoebe Snow Phoebe Snow (born Phoebe Ann Laub; July 17, 1950 – April 26, 2011) was an American roots music singer-songwriter and guitarist, known for her hit 1974 and 1975 songs " San Francisco Bay Blues", " Poetry Man", "Harpo's Blues", and her credited ...

. After Snow and

Linda Ronstadt Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15, 1946) is a retired American singer who performed and recorded in diverse genres including rock, country, light opera, the Great American Songbook, and Latin. She has earned 11 Grammy Awards, three American ...

performed the song in a duet on ''

Saturday Night Live ''Saturday Night Live'' (often abbreviated to ''SNL'') is an American late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC and Peacock. Michaels currently serves ...

'', the Roches were invited to perform on the show a few months later in 1979 at Simon's behest. They did two songs, both unreleased at the time: "Bobby's Song" and "The Hallelujah Chorus". Throughout the 1980s, the Roches continued to release their music to small audiences, little or no air play, and only modest record sales. A 1983 episode of the PBS concert series ''

Soundstage A sound stage (also written soundstage) is a soundproof, large structure, building, or room with large doors and high ceilings, used for the production of theatrical film-making and television productions, usually located on a secured movie or ...

'' was devoted to an hourlong performance by the trio, and they appeared on ''

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' was an American late-night talk show hosted by Johnny Carson on NBC, the third iteration of the ''Tonight Show'' franchise. The show debuted on October 1, 1962, and aired its final episode on May 22, ...

'' in November 1985, performing their song "Mr. Sellack". In 1990, they returned to their Christmas-caroling roots with the release of the 24-track ''We Three Kings'', which included the ''

a cappella ''A cappella'' (, also , ; ) music is a performance by a singer or a singing group without instrumental accompaniment, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. The term ''a cappella'' was originally intended to differentiate between Ren ...

'' "Star of Wonder", written by Terre. After another pop album (''A Dove'', 1992), they recorded an entire album of children's songs, ''Will You Be My Friend?'', featuring a song by brother David and various young backup singers, including Suzzy's daughter Lucy Wainwright Roche. After a tour interrupted by the death of their father, the Roches released ''Can We Go Home Now'' (1995), the last original recording they released as a trio until 2007. In 1997, the sisters formally put their group on long-term hold. They continued to work on solo projects and often collaborated on albums and performances. Terre teaches guitar workshops and has released a solo album. Suzzy, who has acted on the stage and in several movies, released two of her own albums and two with Maggie, with whom she toured. All three sisters periodically participated in New York-area events. At the end of 2005, the three Roches (with brother Dave) reunited for a short but successful holiday tour. Several more appearances in the U.S. and Canada took place in 2006–07, and in March 2007, after a 12-year hiatus, the Roches released a new studio album, ''Moonswept''. After the tour for ''Moonswept'', the Roches announced that they would no longer be touring, but they continued to make isolated appearances individually and as a group, mostly in and around New York City. On January 21, 2017, Maggie Roche died from

breast cancer Breast cancer is cancer that develops from breast tissue. Signs of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, milk rejection, fluid coming from the nipple, a newly inverted nipple, or ...

at the age of 65. In a statement on Facebook, Suzzy wrote that Maggie "was a private person, too sensitive and shy for this world, but brimming with life, love, and talent. She was smart, wickedly funny, and authentic — not a false bone in her body — a brilliant songwriter, with a distinct unique perspective, all heart and soul." She was survived by her partner Michael McCarthy and son Edward "Felix" McTeigue. The Roches were among hundreds of artists whose material was destroyed in the

2008 Universal fire On June 1, 2008, a fire broke out on the backlot of Universal Studios Hollywood, an American film studio and theme park in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles County, California. The fire began when a worker used a blowtorch to warm asph ...

Family

Maggie Roche had an "unusual"

contralto A contralto () is a type of classical female singing voice whose vocal range is the lowest female voice type. The contralto's vocal range is fairly rare; similar to the mezzo-soprano, and almost identical to that of a countertenor, typica ...

voice—"almost a baritone". Terre provides a

soprano A soprano () is a type of classical female singing voice and has the highest vocal range of all voice types. The soprano's vocal range (using scientific pitch notation) is from approximately middle C (C4) = 261 Hz to "high A" (A5) = 880& ...

that brackets the upper range of the sisters, while Suzzy fills in the middle range. While touring, the sisters accompanied themselves with guitars and keyboards, occasionally with additional musicians. Terre Roche continues to perform publicly in New York City, and since 2016 has led a "Sunset Singing Circle" at Battery Park in Manhattan under the auspices of the Parks Department. Brother David is also a singer-songwriter with his own solo album, and often backed up the trio on their recordings. Maggie's son,

Felix McTeigue Edward "Felix" McTeigue was a Grammy Award-nominated record producer and songwriter. Career Notable songs by McTeigue include Platinum selling and number one Mediabase hit "Anything Goes" for the band Florida Georgia Line. In 2017 McTeigue was ...

, has recorded three albums (one with his group Filo). Suzzy's daughter, Lucy Wainwright Roche, has also contributed vocals on the Roches' and McTeigue's albums, and in 2007 produced an EP of her own, '' 8 Songs'', followed by ''

8 More 8 (eight) is the natural number following 7 and preceding 9. In mathematics 8 is: * a composite number, its proper divisors being , , and . It is twice 4 or four times 2. * a power of two, being 2 (two cubed), and is the first number o ...

'' in 2008 and tours opening for acts such as Amos Lee and the

Indigo Girls Indigo Girls are an American folk rock music duo from Atlanta, Georgia, United States, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. The two met in elementary school and began performing together as high school students in Decatur, Georgia, part o ...

. Lucy has released three full-length albums: ''Lucy'' (2010), ''There's a Last Time for Everything'' (2013), and ''Little Beast'' (2018). Her father is Loudon Wainwright III, and she is the half-sister of singers

Martha Martha (Hebrew: מָרְתָא‎) is a biblical figure described in the Gospels of Luke and John. Together with her siblings Lazarus and Mary of Bethany, she is described as living in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem. She was witness ...

and

Rufus Wainwright Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright (born July 22, 1973) is a Canadian-American singer, songwriter, and composer. He has recorded 10 studio albums and numerous tracks on compilations and film soundtracks. He has also written two classical operas and set ...

Discography

Maggie and Terre Roche

* '' Seductive Reasoning'' (Columbia, 1975) * ''I Gave My Love a Kerry'' (Earth Rock Wreckerds, 2004)

The Roches

* '' The Roches'' (Warner, 1979) * '' Nurds'' (Warner Bros., 1980) * '' Keep On Doing'' (Warner Bros., 1982) * '' Another World'' (Warner Bros., 1985) * '' No Trespassing'' (Real Live Records, 1986) * '' Speak'' (MCA, 1989) * '' We Three Kings'' (MCA, 1990) * '' A Dove'' (MCA, 1992) * '' Will You Be My Friend?'' (Baby Boom, 1994) * '' Can We Go Home Now'' (Rykodisc, 1995). * '' The Collected Works of the Roches'' (Warner Bros./Rhino/Atlantic, 2003) * '' Moonswept'' ( 429 Records, 2007) * '' Rhino HiFive: The Roches'' (Warner Bros./Rhino/Atlantic, 2007)

Suzzy Roche

* '' Holy Smokes'' ( Red House, 1997) * '' Songs from an Unmarried Housewife and Mother, Greenwich Village, USA'' (Red House, 2000)

Terre Roche

* ''The Sound of a Tree Falling'' (Earth Rock Wreckerds, 1998) * ''Imprint'' (Earth Rock Wreckerds, 2015)

Suzzy and Maggie Roche

* '' Zero Church'' (Red House, 2002) * ''Why The Long Face'' (Red House, 2004)

Suzzy Roche and Lucy Wainwright Roche

* ''Fairytale and Myth'' (2013) * ''Mud and Apples'' (2016) *''I Can Still Hear You'' (2020)

Terre Roche, Sidiki Conde and Marlon Cherry (as Afro-Jersey)

* ''Afro-Jersey'' (2013)

Other appearances

*'' There Goes Rhymin' Simon'' (1973). Maggie and Terre are credited on "Was a Sunny Day" on Simon's second solo album. *''

'' (1979). The Roches were the musical guest on , singing "Bobby's Song" and their a cappella "Hallelujah Chorus". *'' Exposure'' (1979), a Robert Fripp album featuring vocals by Terre. *''

'' (1983). The Roches were the featured group in one episode of this televised music series. *''

'' (). The Roches performed "Mr. Sellack" and "Another World". *'' Songs from Liquid Days'' (1986). The Roches are featured in two songs in this collection of music by

Philip Glass Philip Glass (born January 31, 1937) is an American composer and pianist. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential composers of the late 20th century. Glass's work has been associated with minimalism, being built up from repetitive ...

, the title track and "Forgetting" (with

). *''

Crossing Delancey ''Crossing Delancey'' is a 1988 American romantic comedy film starring Amy Irving and Peter Riegert. Joan Micklin Silver directed it, drawing upon a play by Susan Sandler, who also wrote the screenplay. The film also features performances fro ...

'' (1988), starring

Amy Irving Amy Davis Irving (born September 10, 1953) is an American actress and singer, who worked in film, stage, and television. Her accolades include an Obie Award, and nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award. Born in Palo Alto, Ca ...

. Suzzy played Marilyn, a friend of Isabelle (Irving). The Roches provided several songs for the soundtrack. One of the songs that was featured in the film, ''Nocturne'', is also featured on the group's 1989 album ''Speak''. An earlier arrangement of their cover of ''

Come Softly to Me "Come Softly to Me" is a popular song recorded by The Fleetwoods, composed of Gretchen Christopher, Barbara Ellis, and Gary Troxel, who also wrote it. The original title was "Come Softly", but was changed en route to its becoming a hit. Bob Reisdo ...

'' is featured on their album ''Another World''. *'' Stay Awake'' (1988). The Roches contributed to two tracks on this

tribute album An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early 20th century as individual 78 rpm records c ...

. *''

Tiny Toon Adventures ''Tiny Toon Adventures'' is an American animated comedy television series that was broadcast from September 14, 1990, to December 6, 1992. It was the first collaborative effort of Steven Spielberg's Amblin Television and Warner Bros. Animation a ...

'', episode "New Character Day" (). The Roches played a trio of singing cockroaches also called "the Roches." *''

Princesses Princess is a regal rank and the feminine equivalent of prince (from Latin ''princeps'', meaning principal citizen). Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or for the daughter of a king or prince. Princess as a subst ...

'' (1991). The trio performs the short-lived TV series' theme song "Someday My Prince Will Come". *''A Weekend in the Country'' (1994). The trio play themselves, performing "Pregnant Pause" at a concert. *'' The Land Before Time II: The Great Valley Adventure'' (December 1994). The band wrote the songs "Peaceful Valley", "Eggs" and "You're One of Us Now". *''A Family Concert'' ( K-tel VHS, 1995). Includes performances by the Roches and the Music Workshop for Kids. *''Anthem'' (Intersound, 1996), by the Desolation Angels, a supergroup consisting of the Roches,

Karla DeVito Karla DeVito (born May 29, 1953) is an American singer and actress. Early life and education DeVito was born in suburban Chicago in Mokena, Illinois. She attended Willow Crest Grade School in Mokena and Lincoln-Way High School in New Lenox. She ...

Kit Hain Kit Hain (born 15 December 1956) is a British musician, songwriter and writer. She was a member of the rock duo Marshall Hain and had a solo career as a performer and songwriter. Musical career Hain met Julian Marshall while they were pupils ...

, Deborah Berg, the Blister Sisters, and Jane Kelly Williams. *''Christmas Songs'' (One Voice/Satellites Records, 1996), by the Carolling Carollers, another supergroup consisting of the Roches, Ilana Iguana, Margaret Dorn, Libby Mclaren, and Bonnie Mann. *'' Tracey Takes On...'', episode "Music" (). *''Time and Love: The Music of

Laura Nyro Laura Nyro ( ; born Laura Nigro; October 18, 1947 – April 8, 1997) was an American songwriter, singer, and pianist. She achieved critical acclaim with her own recordings, particularly the albums ''Eli and the Thirteenth Confession'' (1968 ...

'' (Astor Place Records, 1997) – "Wedding Bell Blues". *'' What's That I Hear?: The Songs of Phil Ochs'' (Sliced Bread Records, 1998) – "The Bells" (Poem by

Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe (; Edgar Poe; January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. He is wid ...

adapted & set to music by

Phil Ochs Philip David Ochs (; December 19, 1940 – April 9, 1976) was an American songwriter and protest singer (or, as he preferred, a topical singer). Ochs was known for his sharp wit, sardonic humor, political activism, often alliterative lyrics, and ...

). *'' Live at the World Café: Volume 9'' (1999) – "Hammond Song" *''Moms That Cook'' (Baby Boom, 1999), by the Music Workshop for Kids. Suzzy produced as well as performed on this album by various artists. *'' Rites of Passage'', fourth album by the

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,7 ...

, Georgia duo

. Maggie, Terre, and Suzzy sing backing vocals on "Virginia Woolf" and "Airplane". *''Nod to Bob: An Artist's Tribute to Bob Dylan on His 60th Birthday'' (Red House, 2001). Suzzy and Maggie perform "Clothes Line Saga" from ''

The Basement Tapes ''The Basement Tapes'' is the sixteenth album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and his second with the Band. It was released on June 26, 1975, by Columbia Records. Two-thirds of the album's 24 tracks feature Dylan on lead vocals backed by ...

''. *''Some Assembly Required'' (Shanachie, 2002), by the Four Bitchin' Babes. Suzzy was one of the latter-day Babes in this rotating-membership pop-folk group founded by

Christine Lavin Christine Lavin (born January 2, 1952) is a New York City-based singer-songwriter and promoter of contemporary folk music. She has recorded numerous solo albums, and has also recorded with other female folk artists under the name Four Bitchin ...

. *'' Endless Highway: The Music of The Band'' (429 Records/SLG Music/EMI, 2007). The Roches perform the Band classic " Acadian Driftwood". *'' Please Give'' (2010). The Roches sing "No Shoes" by Paranoid Larry. *'' Amen & Goodbye'' (2016). Suzzy appears on the songs "I Am Chemistry," "Half Asleep," and "Gerson's Whistle" on the fourth album by the Brooklyn indie trio Yeasayer.

Other musical associations

Laurie Anderson Laurel Philips Anderson (born June 5, 1947), known as Laurie Anderson, is an American avant-garde artist, composer, musician, and film director whose work spans performance art, pop music, and multimedia projects. Initially trained in violin and ...

* Richard Barone *

Larry Fast Lawrence Roger Fast (born December 10, 1951) is an American synthesizer player and composer. He is best known for his 1975–1987 series of synthesizer music albums (''Synergy'') and for his contributions to a number of popular music acts, inclu ...

* Jack Hardy * Edd Kalehoff *

* David Massengill * Kate & Anna McGarrigle *

* Loudon Wainwright III * Lucy Wainwright Roche