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.

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

Chance encounter on the road

Travis and B.B. drive their Shiner beer truck when they spot a broken-down RV on the roadside. Travis is immediately drawn to Lola Bouillabaisse smiling from the rear window and volunteers to help, hoping it will bring him closer to her. The moment sets up his entry into Lola's world of roadie life.

Side of the road near Shiner, Texas
2

Austin bound for a Hank Williams Jr. show

After repairing the RV, Lola convinces Travis to drive the group to Austin for a show. His knack for setting up equipment impresses Mohammed Johnson, who runs the show and wants him on the crew. Johnson demands that Travis continue working as roadie to handle the gear.

Austin, Texas
3

Ace and Lola push for more roadie work

Ace wants Travis to stay with the group so he can claim the credit for the work. Lola uses Travis's momentum to persuade him to continue as their roadie. Travis finds himself pulled between loyalty to family and opportunity with the touring act.

Austin, Texas
4

Bar fight and the Hollywood detour

After a bar fight, Lola exploits Travis's daze to get him to drive the group to the airport for a flight to Hollywood. They elude a police pursuit on the way. The trip marks a dramatic shift from Texas to Hollywood's celebrity-fueled roadie circuit.

En route from Austin to Hollywood
5

Hollywood arrival and reluctant commitment

Travis wakes up in Hollywood feeling angry and homesick, but Lola's tears soften him enough to stay on. He reluctantly agrees to continue working while trying to stay connected to his Texas roots. The glamorous setting pulls him further into the roadie life.

Hollywood, California
6

Saving Blondie and becoming a national sensation

Travis helps save a Blondie concert by threatening the band into playing when the power fails. He then builds a DIY cow-dung powered generator to keep the show going, earning national publicity. The stunt cements his reputation as the greatest roadie who ever lived and boosts Lola's profile by association.

During Blondie concert Hollywood, California
7

Love interests and the age reveal

Travis falls for Lola, but she reveals she is only 16 and a virgin saving her first time for Alice Cooper. She continues flirting with other musicians, creating tension between desire and loyalty. The relationship becomes a complicated mix of romance and manipulation.

Hollywood, California
8

Debbie Harry jealousy moment

Lola shows jealousy after Travis spends an evening with Debbie Harry, highlighting the volatile mix of celebrity circles, romance, and ambition. The moment underscores Lola's vulnerability and Travis's growing attachment. The dynamic pushes them toward New York.

Los Angeles, California
9

New York bound: a plan to leave Lola behind

The duo travels to New York City for Alice Cooper's show, and Travis contemplates leaving Lola there to return home. Alice Cooper's influence and the production problems push him to reconsider his plan. The tension between staying for Lola's dream and going home intensifies.

New York City, New York
10

Alice Cooper's deal and VIP treatment

Alice convinces Travis to stay by fixing sound issues and offers a bus to drive himself back to Texas. Lola is granted VIP treatment, with front-row access, backstage passes, and a promised romantic evening. The deal ties Travis more closely to the road and to Lola, while keeping him connected to his Texas roots.

New York City, New York
11

Wedding back home

Travis returns home just in time for the wedding of his best friend B.B. and his sister Alice Poo. The moment marks a bittersweet reunion with his family and the life he left behind. The road life looms as a constant pull.

Wedding day Texas
12

Lola comes to Texas and seeks a new path

Lola calls from a bus stop in Texas, revealing she has given up being a groupie and wants to be with Travis. She reveals she has become a psychic instead of chasing fame. The couple's future becomes tangled with the possibility of a quieter life together.

Texas
13

UFO lands as they pursue a normal life

As Travis and Lola begin to consummate their relationship in the parked bus, a UFO lands suddenly in front of them. Lola uses her psychic sense to determine that the aliens' spacecraft is broken and asks Travis to fix it. The bizarre end twist propels the film into a sci-fi finale.

Texas, on the road outside a bus stop

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:22

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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

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Roadie

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