Tim Berry also replaced Johns as the band’s drummer.In 1982, Toby Myers left to play for the next decade and a half with Seymour, Indiana, native, John Mellencamp.He was replaced by Peter Bailey and then by John Gennell. With that lineup, Roadmaster recorded one more album for Village and two more for Mercury Records (which had acquired Village) from 1978-80.In the late ‘70s, Roadmaster toured with Pat Travers and Blue Öyster Cult and opened throughout the Midwest for mainstream rock acts such as The Cars, Cheap Trick, Peter Frampton, Eddie Money, Todd Rundgren, Rush, and ZZ Top.The band members wrote their own songs and their sound was similar to that of popular arena rock acts like Styx, Foreigner (their early material), Kansas (their hits), and REO Speedwagon.Their most popular songs included “Doesn’t Mean a Thing,” “Higher, Higher,” “Say You Wanna Be With Me,” “Hey World,” and their signature anthem, “Sweet Music.” Although they were very popular at home, Roadmaster was unable to break through nationally and their record deal with Mercury ended in 1980.Soon afterwards, McNally left the band.Craig Watson and Frank Bradford sang with the band after his departure. Riley also left, to be replaced by former Exile drummer, Bobby Johns. After that release, Smasher left the band, ultimately to pursue a career as a radio DJ, and former Nebula Spoon vocalist, Steve “Mac” McNally, replaced him. Rundgren produced three songs on their eponymous 1976 debut album. In 1974 the band changed its name to Roadmaster and its musical style began to evolve into a big guitar and keyboard-centered “arena” rock sound.Roadmaster was discovered by Todd Rundgren, who invited the band to New York to record a demo, which led to a contract with Indianapolis record label Village Records.
Roadmaster started as Pure Funk, a popular Indiana college funk band, founded in 1969 by keyboard player, Michael Read, vocalist, Asher “Adam Smasher” Benrubi, and guitarist, Rob Swaynie.Bassist Toby Myers joined the band in 1971.Guitarist Rick Benick met Read in the early 1970s when Benick moved to Indiana to join the Kokomo, Indiana, rock band, Nebula Spoon, but some time thereafter joined Pure Funk.Drummer Steve Riley rounded out their lineup. Members of the band played for several other successful rock acts with Midwestern roots from the ‘70s to the 1990s. They recorded four albums for Village/Mercury Records. Roadmaster was an American rock band from Indianapolis, Indiana, that was popular in the Midwest in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Roadmaster - Sweet Music (1978) (Rock Candy Remastered 2012)
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