Roadie

Roadie

Year: 1980

Runtime: 106 mins

Language: English

Director: Alan Rudolph

MusicComedy

A young Texas good‑ol’ boy who’s a whiz with electronic gear lands a gig as a roadie for a wild, traveling rock‑and‑roll show. As he powers up amps, lights and stages, he discovers the high‑octane world behind the music, where roadies keep the show rolling.

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Timeline & Setting – Roadie (1980)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Roadie (1980). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1980

Set during the peak era of late 1970s to early 1980s rock touring, the film captures the improvisational energy of the road. Scenes bounce between small-town venues, highway drives, and major arena performances. The time frame places the narrative amid the era’s iconic acts and the evolving live-sound culture.

Location

Shiner, Texas; Austin, Texas; Hollywood, California; New York City, New York

The story unfolds across a cross-country touring circuit that begins in Shiner, Texas, home to Travis’s family salvage business and a rough, independent spirit. It moves through major hubs like Austin, Hollywood, and New York City, anchoring the road crew’s evolution from local gigs to high-profile shows. The varied settings emphasize the contrast between rustic Texas life and the adrenaline of big-stage rock.

🎭 Small-town to big-city rock 🚚 Road-tripping tour 🎵 Music industry backdrop 🗺️ American road culture

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:55

Main Characters – Roadie (1980)

Meet the key characters of Roadie (1980), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Travis W. Redfish (Meat Loaf)

A beer-loving, bar-brawling Texan who discovers a natural talent for organizing and fixing tour gear. He grows from a reluctant driver into a dynamic, resourceful roadie whose energy drives the crew forward. His loyalty to family and friends shapes his decisions, including chasing Lola and standing by his sister’s wedding.

🎯 Ambition 🤠 Texan 🛠️ Resourceful 🎸 Roadie

B.B. Muldoon (Gailard Sartain)

Travis’s best friend and business partner, practical and loyal. He keeps the salvage business afloat while supporting the chaotic tour life. His humor and street smarts provide balance to Travis’s bigger-than-life plans.

🎭 Enterprising 🤝 Friendship 💼 Business

Lola Bouilliabase (Kaki Hunter)

A teenaged groupie with big dreams who uses charm to shape the tour’s direction. Her feelings for Travis complicate the relationship as she pursues performance opportunities, ultimately evolving toward broader ambitions beyond chasing groupies.

🎭 Dreamer 💫 Ambition 🧭 Youth

Alice Cooper (Alice Cooper)

A rock legend who mentors Travis and becomes a gatekeeper to bigger stages. He supports Travis with opportunities, including gifting him a bus, while navigating the tour’s dynamic mix of fame, talent, and personality.

🎤 Authority 🎵 Rock Legend

Ace (Joe Spano)

The road manager who often pushes the group’s agenda and uses Lola to steer Travis’s path. He embodies the competitive, sometimes scheming side of the touring world and drives some of the film’s most chaotic moments.

🎬 Manager 🧭 Schemer

Debbie Harry (Debbie Harry)

A Blondie member appearing in the tour circuit, whose presence underscores the era’s blend of fame and personal ambition on the road. Her interactions highlight the dynamic between touring musicians and the crew.

🎶 Icon 🎤 Performer

Roy Orbison (Roy Orbison)

A cameo by a rock legend that reinforces the film’s reverence for classic rock and its icons. His presence adds weight to the tour’s sense of history and legitimacy.

🎸 Icon 🕰️ Classic

Hank Williams, Jr. (Hank Williams Jr.)

A high-profile figure embodying the era’s country-rock crossover, appearing as part of the show’s star-studded lineup. His presence anchors the film’s blend of genres and energy.

🎤 Icon 🎸 Crossover

Corpus C. Redfish (Art Carney)

The family salvage business’s veteran patriarch, whose motto—Everything will work if you let it—drives the ethos of practical resilience in a world of sudden fame and shifting loyalties.

🏚️ Family 🗝️ Resilience

Alice Poo Redfish (Rhonda Bates)

Travis’s sister, whose wedding to B.B. Muldoon marks a pivotal emotional moment in the road-life chaos. Her relationship with Travis and Lola adds warmth and family stakes to the touring drama.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family 💍 Wedding

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:55

Major Themes – Roadie (1980)

Explore the central themes of Roadie (1980), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎤 Fame & Showbiz

Travis’s meteoric rise as a roadie mirrors the allure and chaos of the music industry. The crew's improvisation and the lure of big gigs illustrate how fame can emerge from quick thinking and teamwork. The plot uses concerts and celebrity interactions to explore the costs and thrills of chasing stardom.

🤝 Loyalty & Friendship

B.B. Muldoon and Travis rely on a long-standing bond as they navigate the tour's chaos and the family salvage business. Their friendship drives crucial decisions and provides stability amid shifting loyalties. The story contrasts steadfast loyalty with the temptations of fame and opportunity.

💘 Romance & Dreams

Lola’s ambitions collide with Travis’s feelings, testing their bond as the road unfolds. The relationship highlights youthful longing, mentorship, and the tension between dream-chasing and real-world commitments. Romance functions as a lens on identity, belonging, and the pursuit of personal goals.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:55

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Roadie Summary

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Roadie Summary

Roadie Timeline

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Roadie Timeline

More About Roadie

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