The Roches were an American vocal trio of sisters Maggie, Terre and

Suzzy Roche Suzzy Roche ( ; born September 29, 1956) is an American singer and actress best known for her work with the vocal group The Roches, alongside sisters Maggie and Terre. Suzzy is the youngest of the three, and joined the act in 1977. She is the aut ...

, from

Park Ridge, New Jersey Park Ridge is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. Park Ridge had a population of 8,645 as of the 2010 United States Census,

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 twe ...

, 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 brought them in as backup singers on his 1973 album ''

There Goes Rhymin' Simon ''There Goes Rhymin' Simon'' is the third solo studio album by American musician Paul Simon released on May 5, 1973. It contains songs spanning several styles and genres, such as gospel (" Loves Me Like a Rock") and Dixieland (" Take Me to the ...

''. 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 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 ''Joy of Cooking'', often known as "''The Joy of Cooking''", is one of the United States' most-published cookbooks. It has been in print continuously since 1936 and has sold more than 20 million copies. It was published privately during 1931 by ...

. 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 Gerdes Folk City, sometimes spelled Gerde's Folk City, was a music venue in the West Village, part of Greenwich Village, Manhattan, in New York City. Initially opened by owner Mike Porco as a restaurant called Gerdes, it eventually began to presen ...

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 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" ...

'' (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 session ...

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 (streaming service), Peacock. ...

'', 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 The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcaster and non-commercial, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly funded nonprofit organization and the most prominent provider of educat ...

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 stu ...

'' 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'' "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 Lucy Wainwright Roche (born December 16, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter. Preceded by two EPs, ''8 Songs'' and ''8 More'', Roche released her debut album, ''Lucy'' in October 2010. In 2013, she starred as Jeri in the ''Stuff You Should Kno ...

. 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 a r ...

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.

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 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,

, 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'' in 2008 and tours opening for acts such as

Amos Lee Amos Lee (born Ryan Anthony Massaro, June 20, 1977) is an American singer-songwriter whose musical style encompasses folk, rock, and soul. He was born in Philadelphia and graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Engli ...

and the Indigo Girls. 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 Loudon Snowden Wainwright III (born September 5, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actor. He has released twenty-six studio albums, four live albums, and six compilations. Some of his best-known songs include "The Swimmin ...

, 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

* ''

'' (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 "We Three Kings", original title "Three Kings of Orient", also known as "We Three Kings of Orient Are" or "The Quest of the Magi", is a Christmas carol that was written by John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857. At the time of composing the carol, Hopki ...

'' (MCA, 1990) * ''

A Dove ''A Dove'' is an album by the American vocal trio the Roches, released in 1992 on MCA Records. The trio supported the album with a North American tour. Production The album was produced by Stewart Lerman. The sisters wrote the songs, which they al ...

'' (MCA, 1992) * ''

Will You Be My Friend? ''Will You Be My Friend?'' is a studio album by the American folk trio the Roches, released in 1994 on Baby Boom Music. It was the group's only album of children's music. Suzzy Roche considered it among the most satisfying albums on which she had ...

'' (Baby Boom, 1994) * ''

Can We Go Home Now ''Can We Go Home Now'' is the ninth studio album by the folk trio the Roches, released in 1995 on Rykodisc Rykodisc is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, operating as a unit of WMG's Independent Label Group and is distribute ...

'' (Rykodisc, 1995). * ''

The Collected Works of the Roches ''The Collected Works of the Roches'' is a compilation album by The Roches 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 (Oct ...

'' (Warner Bros./Rhino/Atlantic, 2003) * ''

Moonswept ''Moonswept'' is the final studio album by the folk trio The Roches 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, ...

'' (

429 Records 429 Records was an American record label. It was a subsidiary label of Savoy Label Group/ Nippon Columbia focusing on indie rock and adult album alternative performers. In addition to releasing new material from musicians such as Dr. John, Littl ...

, 2007) * '' Rhino HiFive: The Roches'' (Warner Bros./Rhino/Atlantic, 2007)

Suzzy Roche

* ''

Holy Smokes "Holy Smokes" is a song by American rappers Trippie Redd featuring fellow American rapper Lil Uzi Vert, released on July 16, 2021 as the second single from the former's fourth studio album, ''Trip at Knight''. The track was released under Trippi ...

'' ( 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

*''

'' (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, 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. 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 ...

'', 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 K-tel International Ltd is a Canadian company which formerly specialized in selling consumer products through infomercials and live demonstration. Its products include compilation music albums, including ''The Super Hits'' series, ''The Dynamic ...

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. Sh ...

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). *'' 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 A rite of passage is a ceremony or ritual of the passage which occurs when an individual leaves one group to enter another. It involves a significant change of status in society. In cultural anthropology the term is the Anglicisation of ''rite ...

'', 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 498,715 ...

, Georgia duo Indigo Girls. 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 b ...

''. *''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 "Acadian Driftwood" is a song by the Band. It was the fourth track on their sixth studio album '' Northern Lights – Southern Cross'' (1975), written by member Robbie Robertson. Richard Manuel, Levon Helm and Rick Danko trade off lead vocals a ...

". *''

Please Give ''Please Give'' is a 2010 dark comedy film written and directed by Nicole Holofcener and starring Catherine Keener. It is the fourth film Keener and Holofcener have made together. The film also stars Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Rebecca Hall, Lois Sm ...

'' (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 Yeasayer () was an American experimental rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2006. The band consisted of Chris Keating, Ira Wolf Tuton, and Anand Wilder. They announced their split on December 19, 2019. History Formation The band's thr ...

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 Richard Barone is an American rock musician who first gained attention as frontman for the Bongos. He works as a songwriter, arranger, author, director, and record producer, releases albums as a solo artist, tours, and has created concert event ...

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 ...

* Indigo Girls * Philip Glass * Jack Hardy *

Edd Kalehoff Edward Woodley Kalehoff Jr. (born September 1, 1945) is an American television composer who specializes in compositions for television, known for his work on the Moog synthesizer. Kalehoff composed the musical themes to the game shows ''The Price ...

David Massengill David Massengill (born 1951, Bristol, Tennessee) is an American folk singer-songwriter, guitar and Appalachian dulcimer player. Massengill considers Dave Van Ronk his mentor, and is fond of quoting Van Ronk's tribute "he takes the dull out of du ...

Kate & Anna McGarrigle Kate McGarrigle (February 6, 1946 – January 18, 2010) and Anna McGarrigle (born December 4, 1944) were a duo of Canadian singer-songwriters (and sisters) from Quebec, who performed until Kate McGarrigle's death on January 18, 2010. Music ...

* Paul Simon *

References

External links

* *
Home page for Terre Roche

Interview/performance on ''The Current''

Interview with Robert Fripp about producing ''The Roches''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roches, The Musical groups established in 1973 Musical groups disestablished in 2017 American folk musical groups American musical trios All-female bands Family musical groups American children's musical groups Nerd-folk musicians Sibling musical trios Columbia Records artists Warner Records artists MCA Records artists People from Park Ridge, New Jersey McGarrigle-Wainwright-Roche family