Roadie

Roadie

Year: 1980

Runtime: 106 mins

Language: English

Director: Alan Rudolph

MusicComedy

Bands make it rock… roadies make it roll. A good‑ol’ Texas youngster with a natural talent for electronic gear lands a gig as a roadie for a raucous, traveling rock‑and‑roll show. He spends the tour hauling amps, wiring stages, and keeping the high‑octane performances humming while navigating the wild, on‑the‑road lifestyle.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Roadie yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Roadie (1980)

Trace every key event in Roadie (1980) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Travis's Texan road life and family work

Travis W. Redfish leads a rough-and-tumble Texas life, juggling a job as a Shiner beer distributor and helping his father with the family salvage business. He loves beer, bar-brawls, and the freedom of the road with his partner B.B. Muldoon. The motto 'Everything will work if you let it!' anchors his everyday outlook.

Opening Texas
2

Encounter with the stranded RV and Lola

While delivering beer, they come across a broken-down RV on the roadside. They initially consider passing, but Lola Bouillabaisse's smile through the rear window makes Travis stop to help. They repair the RV and Lola's presence pulls Travis into a new, chaotic chapter.

Early Highway roadside
3

Drive to Austin and the show stakes

Road manager Ace pushes the group to drive to Austin for a Hank Williams Jr. show produced by Mohammed Johnson. Travis's speed and skill at setting up equipment impress Johnson, who starts demanding more work from him. The new opportunities fuel Travis's ambitions on the road.

After repair Austin, Texas
4

Lola pressures Travis to stay as roadie

Ace forces Lola to persuade the reluctant Travis to continue as their roadie so Ace can claim credit. Lola uses Travis's dazed state after a bar fight to keep him in the tour. The arrangement tightens as they move from city to city.

Mid-tour Various tour stops
5

Hollywood move and a police chase escape

Lola persuades Travis to move the tour toward Hollywood, and they even elude a police pursuit to reach the airport for a flight there. He wakes up in Hollywood in a mix of anger and homesickness, but Lola's tears persuade him to stay for now. The move marks a new, glamorous, and chaotic chapter.

Flight to Hollywood Hollywood, California
6

The Blondie show and the DIY generator

In Hollywood, a Blondie concert nearly derails due to power issues. Travis threatens the band into performing and builds a DIY generator powered by cow dung to keep the show going. His improvisation earns him national publicity as the 'greatest roadie that ever lived'.

Hollywood segment Hollywood
7

Romance, flirtation, and Lola's boundaries

Travis's growing affection for Lola collides with her flirtations with other musicians. She reveals her guarded nature and her ambitions, which complicate their relationship. The tension between romance and loyalty becomes a constant undercurrent.

Mid-Hollywood Hollywood/ backstage
8

New York with Alice Cooper and a deal

Lola persuades Travis to go to New York for Alice Cooper's show, hoping to capitalize on the opportunity. Alice recognizes his talent and convinces him to stay long enough to fix sound problems. In return, Alice buys him a bus to drive back to Texas, and Lola gets VIP treatment and backstage access.

Late Hollywood New York
9

Wedding drive home to Texas

Travis returns to Texas just in time to witness B.B. and Alice Poo's wedding. He is torn between Lola and his roots, torn between staying with the tour and returning home. The wedding marks a bittersweet milestone in his circle of friends and family.

Wedding day Texas
10

Lola arrives in Texas for love

Lola travels to Texas to be with Travis, giving up her groupie persona and waiting at a bus stop for a chance at a real relationship. She hints at redefining her dreams, signaling a shift in her path. The reunion is hopeful but unsettled by other unknowns.

After wedding Texas
11

A moment of romance interrupted by a UFO

As Travis and Lola start to settle into life together, a UFO suddenly lands in front of them. Lola uses her psychic impression to sense that the aliens' spacecraft is broken and needs Travis's repair skills. The moment shifts the story from roadie romance to a sci-fi twist.

Evening Texas road near bus stop
12

Cliffhanger: the aliens need a roadie

With the alien craft waiting, Travis prepares to apply his makeshift tech know-how to extraterrestrial repair. The ending leaves him at a crossroads between ordinary roadie life and an otherworldly assignment. The future of his journey remains open and uncertain.

Finale setup Texas

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:58

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Raucous backstage road adventures like in Roadie

Wild journeys through the chaotic, eccentric world of touring musicians and crew.If you liked the behind-the-scenes chaos of Roadie, you'll enjoy these movies about the wild world of touring. Discover films like Roadie that explore the music industry's eccentric crew, chaotic travel, and the found family bonds formed on the road.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a linear journey, moving the characters from one gig or location to the next. The plot is driven by the logistical challenges and interpersonal dynamics of life on tour, with a focus on problem-solving and adapting to ever-changing, often ridiculous, circumstances.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared setting and energetic tone. They all celebrate the chaotic, fun-loving spirit of the music industry's backstage world, featuring rambunctious characters, fast-paced adventures, and a strong sense of camaraderie.

Eccentric outsider finds their tribe like in Roadie

Quirky protagonists stumble into a new world and prove their worth through unique talents.Fans of Roadie's story about a good-natured Texan finding his place will love these movies. Explore films similar to Roadie featuring unlikely heroes who use their unique skills to win over a group and find a sense of belonging on a journey of self-discovery.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a straightforward, feel-good arc where an unconventional protagonist enters an unfamiliar environment. Through a series of challenges, they use their specific, often underestimated, talents to solve problems, ultimately gaining acceptance and forging deep bonds with a new 'found family'.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects movies through a shared character journey and emotional core. They feature light-hearted tones, medium intensity, and happy endings focused on the triumph of individuality and the joy of finding where you belong.

Unlock the Full Story of Roadie

Don't stop at just watching — explore Roadie in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Roadie is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Roadie Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Roadie, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Roadie Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Roadie

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Roadie. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Roadie

Roadie Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Roadie that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Roadie Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Roadie

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Roadie: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Roadie

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