Roadies: The Secret History of Australian Rock'n'Roll

by Stuart Coupe

This is your backstage pass to the hidden side of the music industry - the tantrums, the fights, the tensions, the indulgence, the sex, the alcohol, the drugs. The roadies see it all, and now they are sharing their secrets. Roadies are the unsung heroes of the Australian music industry. They unload the PAs and equipment, they set it all up, they make sure everything is running smoothly before, during and after the gigs. Then they pack everything up in the middle of the night, put it in the back of the truck and hit the road to another town - to do it all over again. They know everything about the pre- and post-show excesses. They bear witness to overdoses, the groupies, the obsessive fans. They are part of - and often organise - all the craziness that goes on behind the scenes of the concerts and pub gigs you go to. From The Rolling Stones to AC/DC, Bob Marley to Courtney Love, Sherbet to The Ted Mulry Gang, INXS to Blondie - these guys have seen it all. And now they're stepping onto the stage and talking.The Roadies' If it's wet, drink it. If it's dry, smoke it. If it moves, **** it. If it doesn't move, throw it in the back of the truck.'Fabulous . . . a bold portrait' SYDNEY MORNING HERALD on Stuart Coupe's GUDINSKI

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Biography, Rock N Roll

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2018

Reviews

[Nat K · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Roadie”

An individual who is responsible for setting up, tearing down, and generally maintaining the equipment for a band.
- The Urban Dictionary

Forget the perks (chicks, drugs, music). Being a roadie is sheer hard slog. Back breaking physical labour, phenomenally long hours, lack of job security. But the perks definitely outweigh the negatives for many, who enjoy the nomadic lifestyle.

”It’s a lifestyle, and when you finish it’s like you’re an alien and you’ve been to Mars and now you’re coming back.”
- John D’Arcy, Roadie

Most roadies are male, purely because of the physicality of the job. Lugging heavy equipment in and out of venues, packing and unpacking trucks is no mean feat. Though more females are coming on board, and bringing a fresh perspective to the role.

Australia is a vast continent, and the amount of travel clocked up between gigs is mind boggling. Especially in the good old days, pre random breath (and now drug) testing by the police. The crew would pack up a gig at 2 or 3am, and head straight to the highway to reach their next destination. Eighteen hour days were the norm. Speed and a bottle of bourbon kept many driving, long after they should have stopped. Many a roadie fell asleep in the back of the van on top of speakers and amps.

”...Never grew up. I was a gypsy. A lot of us in the industry were like Peter Pan. It was very much like running away to join the circus.”
- Bill McCartney, Roadie

The roadie has to be a jack-of-all-trades. Ingenuity is the key. They have to be able to do everything from fixing a broken guitar string mid gig, fixing a light that’s shorted, to procuring drugs for the band.

”You look at guys like Pat Pickett, who worked for AC/DC. He was one of the prime sources of humanity in this business, and he dies in a pub, in a room above the hotel where he lived…All he had was some jeans and a book of poetry. No one embraced and said ‘How are you doing?’ That’s the disappointing thing….people who worked on the road and not having enough money to live on or survive.”
- Howard Freeman, Roadie

I was saddened to read how many roadies commit suicide. In previous years, there was no superannuation for roadies, and many lived hand-to-mouth. It can be difficult to have a “normal” lifestyle or family outside of the roadie realm due to the odd hours and sometimes sporadic availability of work. Many have health issues from on the job accidents, or the pure breakdown of the body from doing such hard labour over many years.

This was a very interesting read from Stuart Coupe who definitely has insider knowledge of the Aussie music biz. It really opened my eyes to just how much goes on behind the scenes, with what looks like it should be a fairly straightforward job.

So next time you’re at a live event (whether it be music or sport) and the roadie onstage is driving you mad saying “One, two. Two, two” repeatedly, spare a thought for how much effort they’ve gone to to get this space set up for you.

[Clinton Hoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starting out, I couldn’t get enough of the stories and the insight. The world of a roadie sounded exciting and interesting. Then as more of the stories started to reference the benefits (drugs and girls) it started to seem a bit samey. I was crying out for some character development or progress in the story. As a collection of anecdotes it’s fine - some are ripper yarns others not so much. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed everything by this author and wouldn’t hesitate to read the next offering, but “Roadies” started to wane as the tour went on.

[Natalie Walka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the book 'Roadies' and was prompted to contact the author to thank him.

What an entertaining read it was. I'm in my early 50's and like many Australians of my vintage, spent many nights and most of my wages each week going to live music gigs around Sydney throughout the 80's and 90's and am still get yo the odd gig these days whenever I can, life responsibilities permitting.

Each chapter of this book focusses on a different real life roadie, telling stories of the Aussie Music scene throughout the late 70's, 80's and early 90's to present day. It describes the integral role Aussie roadies played in the early days, the camaraderie, the sex, drugs and rock n roll, how they were all part of the band (but not), and how tough that life really was for those guys.

The book also describes how Aussie roadies became sought after worldwide given their work ethic and their ability to multitask. They were committed to ensure that the show must always go on at all costs.

Sadly, but importantly this book also ventures into how life after the road was in many cases fatal with suicide rates were dangerously high in the Australian music industry when technology changed everything.

Stuart Coupe also cleverly references the Australian Road Crew Association who support roadies and who has actively reduced the suicide rates since their first reunion in 2012.

Having lived through this period and enjoyed so many amazing bands in those days, this was a great trip down memory lane. The rawness and unpretentiousness of it all was worth celebrating. I was, and still am, fortunate to work with a number of ex roadies in my corporate life and they are just like described in this book. Such good people. Nothing phases them and they are hugely capable, Jack of all trades characters. And the stories!!!

I spent much of my youth following the Hoodoo Gurus, INXS, Noiseworks, Hunters & Collectors, The Oils, Angels, Party Boys, Spy v Spy, Aussie Crawl, The Church, Screaming Jets, QED, the Phil Emmanuel band, Crowded House, etc etc. They certainly were the halcyon days of Aussie music and I'm so grateful we got to live it. This book refreshed my pride at having lived and loved live music during those days.

Coupe and his collaborators did a great job writing and researching this book. Would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoyed Aussie live music during the 80's especially.

Like the saying goes, we may be old but at least we got to see all the cool bands! 🤘

PS. Stuart Coupe responded to my note on the same day I reached out via standard social media message to thank him for writing this book. An added and unexpected bonus. 😊

[Carlton Duff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent look into the world of the unsung heroes who make the Aussie rock roll.

[Russell Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was areal slog to get through, and it's a real shame, because it's an interesting subject and is clear that a lot of work when into this book. A book that aims to tell the story of the Australian rock scene by those who work the hardest to make it happen, what's not to love about that? Problem is, it's really really boring! Each chapter is a different roadie telling their tale... but what becomes clear, very quickly, is that each and every one of their stories are EXACTLY THE SAME.

I can't believe this took me two years to finish 😩

[Daniel Lazarus · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt very incohesive, a lot of repetition between each chapter and each chapter seemed to be treated as it's own independent section.
A little repetitive when each chapter introduces somebody, spends half the chapter giving their background and then quite often alludes to interesting stories that aren't actually included in the book.

[Angela Maher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an important book in that it tells stories from an often neglected side of rock music. There certainly are some incredible rock n roll tales. But it is primarily that, tales, in that it tells you things that happened, and who worked with who, etc. I know this is non-fiction, but I have to say it lacks atmosphere. A number of iconic venues are mentioned, but unless you've been there, there's no sense of what they're like. The work is constantly, and correctly, described as incredibly hard, and lack of sleep being normal, but there's not enough detail to feel it from the book.
Live music is more than sound, it's sights and smells. With some more detail, the places and people could have been brought to life a lot more.
Overall, I'm glad this exists, and I don't regret reading it. But maybe a doco TV series is what's needed to do these legends full justice.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad I read this book. It opened my mind to the behind the scenes of the live music industry. I love going to gigs and it's a great insight into the road crew's work and lifestyle. Reading about the suicide rate of roadies was sad to hear and also informative to learn about the hardships of the lifestyle of those in the industry. This book was so important to read. Every Australian music lover needs to read this book. You can't have a gig without the roadies. Respect to the roadies past, present and future.

[Nathan Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this and the blurb promised a lot. Sadly, the content was very pedestrian. Limited insights and the anecdotes seemingly rolled into one. Overall, rather sloppy and limited narrative that appeared to be written quickly and with no development - it’s akin to a collection of short stories linked by a common theme. I wanted more.

[Chris O'Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Window opened

What a great insight into the world of road crew and what goes on. Amazing history and so personal on the stories of each of the legends. Thank goodness the whole suicide issue is now recognised and help is available. Bless the road crews one and all.

[duKe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive and detailed view of the Australian music industry and the legends who built it. Thoroughly enjoyable and provides a deep insight through many perspectives and anecdotes that will change how you consider live music.

[Koorparoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

An extensively researched book. Each chapter covers a single roadie, their career path and anecdotes. A good insight into the trade.
The numerous stories do become slightly repetitive and they tend to be set in the pre2000s.
A worthy addition to Australian musical history.

[Steve Ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad yarn. Was interesting for me having seen many of the bands growing up through the pub rock scene years. Just got a bit repetitive with the same stories over and over with only difference being the bands that were involved with each of the roadies. Could have been alot more photo inserted between each chapter to breakdown the repetitivness.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous look at the Australian music scene via the roadies.

Fantastic read. Loved it.

[Jeff Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The unsung heroes of rock and roll.. the good, the bad and the ugly all come together and make it possible.. thank you

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story from behind the scenes. I particularly enjoyed chapter 10 which starred my Uncle Peter who recently passed away. Thank you for capturing his story.

[Jade O'Donohue · Rating 3 out of 5]

“But that's life on the road. Every day is Christmas and every night is New Year's Eve when you're young and in the business. There's no hangover, and if there is you have another line.”