As a commercial, I think the firefighters replacing politicians is much more effective. Everyone in the world thinks, at least at one point, that politics would be a lot more efficient if we could just cut out...well, the politics. Sure, the firefighters might oversimplify matters in the commercial, but that's part of the fantasy, making the commercial pretty effective.

The roadies replacing airline crews, however, seems sort of offensive to airline staff. Do we really think people trained to bring us live music can do a better job at flying a plane than people trained to get a plane off the ground? Sure, replacing a stereotypical roadie dude with anyone doing customer service is a funny image, but I don't in any way fantasize about people from other professions handling my air travel.

...that could do things a lot faster if they didn't actually think about what they were doing, and just went on first instinct. Is that a good thing?

The point isn't that roadies are or are not efficient hard-working people. They may well be. Let's even say that they are. The question King posed is are roadies perceived to be the model of efficiency. I am with King on this one - regardless of who is at fault - talent, roadies, promoters, the man in the moon - rock concerts do not strike most people as efficient things to emulate. Frankly, they seem about as efficient as....airlines.

I thought the firefighters running Congress was also weird. Let's eliminate any debate over complicated issues. We should legislate like we are running into a burning building. That's the type of government that I want. Hmm.. why does that sound familiar actually?

Airlines would be profitable...

...can be numbered among those read this column and don't have a sense of humor?

...all the gear would be back on the trucks before the band finished playing!!!

---V

He wrote a self-deprecating funny column last year, about his band that was better than the Rolling Stones. The King knows roadies and musicians.

Imagine if George W. Bush ran a major league baseball team. Imagine if a major league baseball owner ran a major world power! Silly fantasy, I know.

(deep sigh)

...a topic he knows nothing about (I'm just guessing but he's never been backstage to a rock concert) after a weekend of insane college football.

So what if the number one team in the country lost on the next to last play of the game or that Florida destroyed Dawg Nation's hopes and dreams. I guess I mistook this for a sports column or something.

Your misrepresentation of "roadies" is offensive and WAY off base mister.

What you described is incorrect. For starters, you were close; however Roadies are some of the most efficient, problem-solving, knowledgeable about their job people I have EVER met.

Not only would Roadies run an airline efficiently, they would probably be bring a few treats to the table, so to speak.

As for the 45 minute delay you blamed on Roadie, allow me to enlighten your ignorance and clue you in on a well known fact........

the TALENT (ie; what or who ever you paid money to see) is an egomaniac that either wants to have the house 75% full before they go on stage OR they're too busy partying to be on time.

Admittedly, not all talent do this; but you made a generalization so I did as well.

Shame on you for blaming the hardest working people in show biz like that. If it wern't for us, there'd be no flippin show, understand?? And we have more dedication to our craft every single day we get to perform it; than most folk have for their job for a minute, hour, day or EVER!!

We are at the venue first thing in the morning, set up the show, tech it, wait for the talent along with the rest of you; work the show and then tear it down, box it up and put it back on the truck.

An average day is anywhere from 14-18 hrs long. Sometimes longer.

Can you do your job that long day after day??

Doubt it, you don't seem to have put much into this article.

We love what we do.

Can YOU say that?!?

stand by to fade out

and

go........

As a Production person myself (not rock or music) I know that these guys make an art out of moving huge shows -- with tons of gear, hundreds of lights, massive effects, big sets -- to dozens of unique venues for months at a time. They get shows up safely, run 'em, load 'em out, & move them to the next gig. Again, and again, and again.

It's a tough job, and by and large every roadie/crewbie I've met knows how to Get It Done!

Friday, I would have agreed 100%. On Saturday though, I went to a show featuring 4 bands with The Dwarves headlining. The time from it took one band to break down and the next begin was not more than 45 minutes. Probably more like 30.

Rock on!

But yeah, band time is a time zone of it's own.

you obviously don't have a lot of experience or knowledge about show biz. As a concert sound engineer for nearly 20 years now, I can assure you that 99 times out of 100 it ain't the roadies or technicians making you wait 45 minutes for the show to start. We can get everything ready, but we can't make the stars get on stage and perform...

I'm more bothered by the same company's ad featuring firemen. They're all talking on their walkie talkies when they're all in the same goddamn room. If firefighters ruled the world, they'd be so busy playing with their gadgets that we'd all burn to death.

45 minute wait...impatience..."Lights, stage, let's rock!" Then the opening band you've never heard of comes out of the cockpit.

[Or maybe they do run it already??]

As a guy who crews shows backstage from time to time, I take offense. Then again, I've never actually been on tour with a band, and most of the guys who come in with them aren't exactly... you know... the most with it guys.

But I have been the guy who had to check that mic ... again... and again... and again.