“Road Rats Forever” by Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper has described his album “Road” as a project dedicated to his band, whom he otherwise would ‘only sees when they’re on the road’. But as illustrated by this track, that shoutout goes beyond his backup instrumentalists and extends all the way to those who are referred to as roadies.
These are the professionals who actually set up a singer/band’s equipment while they’re out touring from place to place. So a big timer like Cooper would have his own roadies, rather than relying completely on the employees of respective venues to mount his and his band’s instruments.
So those individuals would be the “road rats” whom Alice is referring to. In fact, in the name of paying homage to roadies, he actually takes on the role of one himself. And throughout the years there have been notable roadies here and there, such as the late Mal Evans, who used to roll with The Beatles.
But for the most part this is a thankless job, so to speak. That is to say that this has to be the first time we’ve ever come across such a song, one that’s an ode to the “road rats on the road”, “the men behind the man” who rarely get any applause, yet the show cannot go on without them.
“We’re the men behind the man
We’re the backbone muscle clan
We do a thousand one-night stands
If the star can make it
If thе band can shake it
Hell, if those guys can takе it, we can”
When was “Road Rats Forever” released?
On 25th August, 2023, this track was released as part of Cooper’s album, “Road”.
Writing Credits
Alice Cooper wrote “Road Rats Forever” alongside Dick Wagner.
