Roadmaster
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1974-77) - Rick Benick (RIP 2018) -- lead guitar, vocals - Toby Myers (RIP 2025) -- bass, backing vocals - Michael Read -- keyboards, backing vocals - Stephen Riley (RIP 2023) -- drums, percussion) - Adam Smasher (aka Asher Benrubi) -- vocals
line-up 2 (1977-80) - Rick Benick (RIP 2018) -- lead guitar, vocals NEW - Bobby Johns -- drums, percussion, backing vocals (replaced Stephen Riley) - Toby Myers (RIP 2025) -- bass, backing vocals - Michael Read -- keyboards, backing vocals NEW -- Stephan McNally (RIP 1998) -- (vocals, acoustic guitar (replaced Adam Smasher)
line-up 3 (1980-81) - Rick Benick (RIP 2018) -- lead guitar, vocals - Bobby Johns -- drums, percussion, backing vocals - Toby Myers (RIP 2025) -- bass, backing vocals - Michael Read -- keyboards, backing vocals NEW -- Carl Watson -- vocals (replaced Stephan McNally)
line-up 4 (1981-82) NEW- Peter Bailey -- bass (replaced Toby Myers) - Rick Benick (RIP 2018) -- lead guitar, vocals NEW - Frank Bradford -- vocals (replaced Carl Watson) - Bobby Johns -- drums, percussion, backing vocals - Michael Read -- keyboards, backing vocals
line-up 4 (1982-83) - Rick Benick (RIP 2018) -- lead guitar, vocals - Frank Bradford -- vocals NEW - John Gennell -- bass (replaced Peter Bailey) - Bobby Johns -- drums, percussion, backing vocals - Michael Read -- keyboards, backing vocals
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- The Alligator Brothers (Steve Riley) - The B'zz (Steve Riley) - Exile (Bobby Johns) - The Game (Mac McNally) - Hardcore Management (Steve Riley) - Human Wheels Band (Toby Myers) - Keel (Steve Riley) - L.A. Guns (Steve Riley) - Nova Rex (Tim Berry) - Pure Funk (Toby Myers) - Riley's L.A. Guns (Steve Riley) - Slink Rand Group (Peter Bailey) - Adam Smasher (solo efforts) - Steppenwolf (Tim Berry and Steve Riley) - W.A.S.P. (Steve Riley)
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Genre: hard rock Rating: **** 4 stars Title: Roadmaster Company: Village Catalog: VR
7601 Country/State: Indianapolis, Indiana Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: cut top left corner Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $40.00
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Roadmaster grew out of various mid-to- late-'60s Indianapolis, Indiana based bands including Pure Funk. The original line-up featured high school and Indiana University buddies Asher Benrubi (aka singer Adam Smasher) on vocals and keyboard player Michael Read, along with guitarist Rob Swayne. By 1971 the line-up featured Smasher, Read, guitarist Rick Benick (replacing Swayne), bassist Toby Myles and drummer Steve Riley. Smasher and Read had been kicked out of college, but the band had become popular on the local bar and university scene In 1974 the band opted for the "Roadmaster" name, shifting their sound from covers to original material and a more stadium rock direction. Their big break came when they caught the attention of Todd Rundgren who brought them to his Woodstock, New York Bearsville Studio, cutting a series of demos. That led to a contract with the small Indianapolis based Village Records.
Released
in 1976, "Roadmaster" featured a collection of ten
band originals. In addition to the three previously recorded Rundgren
produced tunes ("That Magic Feeling", "It's Been So
Long" and I Still Wanna Love You"), the set featured seven new studio
tracks co-produced by Kirk Butler and Mike Griffin. I'll be the first to
admit it's not the most original, or ground breaking set you'll
Following the LP's release the band underwent a series of personnel changes with Smasher heading off to become a radio DJ (including Washington D.C's DC101 where I was a fan) and briefly working for MTV (where he's probably best known for an infamous interview with a young Guns N' Roses which resulted in them trashing the studio's "Headbangers Ball" set.) Ex-Nebula Spoon singer Steve "Mac" McNally replaced him. Drummer Riley was then replaced by ex-Exile drummer Bobby Johns. "Roadmaster" track listing: 1.) That Magic Feeling (Michael Read) - 3:35 rating: **** stars Listening to tracks like "That Magic Feeling" I think a lot of folks would be able to guess Roadmaster were a mid-western outfit. Exemplified by this track there was just something about their mix of hard rock and more commercial moves. Imagine a more rockin' REO, or a less pop-oriented Head East. Great melody; awesome Smasher lead vocals and a pair of tasty solos from guitarist Benick and keyboardist Read. More cowbell please. Easy to hear why Village released it as the debut single:
- 1976's "That Magic Feeling" b/w "I Still Wanna Love You" (Village catalog number - none)
Looking a little older, but still sounding good and seemingly having the time of their lives, YouTube has a 1993 reunion performance of the song recorded at Indianapolis' The Vogue Theater:: Roadmaster - That Magic Feeling
2.) Sunala Jones (Asher Benrubi - Michael Read) - 4:46 rating: **** stars For some reason Roadmaster always makes me think of college Summers - one of those countless rock bands that served as the soundtrack to my carefree early 20s ... And along that line, "Sunala Jones" is one of those perfect '70s Summer rockers. Nothing that was going to change your life, but powered by Smasher's growl of a voice and one of the funniest lyrics I've heard, it's a criminally overlooked performance. Luckily you can see a live take of the song from their 1993 reunion: Roadmaster - Sunala Jones 3.) A.M.-P.M. (Toby Myers - Michael Read) - 6:58 rating: **** stars Opening up with some bluesy Read keyboards before turning the spotlight over to guitarist Benick (who played a mesmerizing solo towards the end), "A.M.-P.M." offered up a competent set of blues distinguished by the band's smooth backing harmonies. It was also one of those songs that got better and better as it went along and more so after hearing it a couple of times. The Vogue Theater version clearly demonstrated what a great blues voice Smasher had: Roadmaster - A.M.-P.M. 4.) Be My Baby (Asher Benrubi - Michael Read) - 3:43 rating: *** stars Nah, it wasn't a cover of the classic Ronnettes hit ... Their "Be My Baby" featured Read and Smasher sharing lead vocals on a pleasant, more pop oriented tune. 5.) Boogalate (instrumental) (Rick Benick - Toby Myers - Michael Read - Stephen Riley - Asher Benrubi) - 2:34 rating: ** stars The album's lone group composition and the lone instrumental, "Boogalate" found the band trotting out a funky groove that was seemingly intended to give Read a chance to showcase his synthesizer chops while giving Smasher a break. Well, I guess he was part of the crew chanting the title track in the background. The album's first disappointment.
(side
2) Showcasing a disco feel and Read's bubbly synthesizers, "It's Been So Long" sounded like a Wild Cherry castoff. Not exactly their crowning moment of glory. Here's the live version: Roadmaster Live: It's Been So Long - YouTube 2.) Who Can Sing Like Fat Boy Do (Asher Benrubi - Mike Read - Toby Myers) - 4:49 rating: *** stars Penned by Smasher under his real name, the title track was clearly autobiographical. A mixture of blues-rock, boogie rock and Root Boy Slim quirkiness, I'm guessing this was one of the in-concert highlights, though the studio version wasn't anything special. Here's a link to a February 2018 reunion featuring most the original line-up (Benrubi, Benick, Read, Myers (along with guitarist Tony Burton and second generation Roadmaster drummer Bobby Johns). The reunion was in support of Benick who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (sadly he died in June 2018): Roadmaster - Who Can Sing Like Fat Boy Do - A Benefit Concert 3.) I Still Wanna Love You (Rick Benick) - 2:58 rating: *** stars Written by Benick and featuring him on lead vocals, " I Still Wanna Love You" was one of the album's most pop-oriented tunes. The track featured one of Benick's prettiest solos and while he certainly wasn't a bad singer, he couldn't match Smasher. 4.) Love Me Baby (Mike Read) - 2:54 rating: *** stars With Read handling lead vocals, "Love Me Baby" was the album's prettiest ballad. To be honest the song was a bit on the corny side, but it sported one of Benick's prettiest solos. 5.) In The Light (Toby Read - Mike Read) - 5:32 rating: **** stars After an extended instrumental beginning that offered up the album's closest brush with progressive moves, "In the Light" morphed into the album's most appealing rocker. Read turned in his nicest lead vocal with Myers adding a pounding bass line and Benick displaying his first-rate, understated lead guitar chops.
© Scott R. Blackerby May 2026
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ever
stumble across, but I've owned a copy since a college roommate
introduced me to the band (I think I may have "borrowed" the album
from said anonymous roommate). What it may have lacked in originality
most of the collection made up for with an underlying sense of fun and
enjoyment. It's almost as if these guys realized they've gotten their
big break and they were going to enjoy every last minute of the ride.
Exemplified by the instrumental "Boogalate"
and the disco-ish
"It's Been So Long" their occasional efforts to mine popular
tastes were energetic but sold the band short. Luckily those were the
exceptions to an enjoyable combination of rock, boogie and more commercial
pop touches. While the entire band (particularly lead guitarist Benick
and keyboardist Read), were talented, the real star here was Smasher.
With his physical stature and effortless growl of a voice,
on tracks like "That
Magic Feeling", "Sunala Jones" and "A.M.-P.M."
he dominated the proceedings displaying
an amazing voice that captured the "fun" side of being a rock and
roll star. No pompous, progressive concept pieces here. This was
just a set of fun, party time music. Never been re-released so it's a
little hard to track down a copy in good shape.