Roller / I Like To Rock (Live 1978)

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the high-energy track "Roller / I Like To Rock (Live 1978)" by April Wine, getting all the Zoo Freaks out there pumped up. "Roller," a standout from the 1978 album First Glance, is a hard-rock anthem penned by lead singer Myles Goodwyn in 1976, though it wasn’t recorded until 1978. The song’s infectious three-guitar hook, inspired by a tale of a woman hooked on gambling, became a breakout hit after an FM station in Flint, Michigan, picked it up, propelling it to #34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979 and marking April Wine’s first major U.S. success since 1972. Its live version, paired with "I Like To Rock," captures the band’s raw, arena-ready energy, complete with the crowd-pleasing “bye bye” outro that became a signature closer at their shows.

Trivia about "Roller" highlights its unexpected journey to fame. According to a post on Discogs, the song’s vinyl single from 1978 credits its production to Aquarius Records, a key player in April Wine’s rise. Fans on X have noted the song’s enduring appeal, with one user in 2025 calling out its “triple guitar” magic as a hallmark of the band’s sound. The track’s success wasn’t just a fluke; it helped First Glance achieve gold status in the U.S., a first for the band, and cemented "Roller" as a classic rock radio staple across North America. Its lyrical nod to a casino queen drew listeners in, with Lyrics.com describing it as a vivid story of a woman winning big, surrounded by onlookers.

April Wine’s story began in 1969 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, when Myles Goodwyn, brothers David and Ritchie Henman, and their cousin Jimmy Henman formed the band. According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, they relocated to Montreal in 1970, chasing bigger opportunities. The band’s name, chosen simply because “April” and “Wine” sounded good together, reflected their laid-back vibe. Early on, they built a loyal Canadian fanbase with hits like “You Could Have Been a Lady” in 1972, but their U.S. breakthrough came with "Roller." Over the years, April Wine released over 20 albums, earned five platinum records in Canada, and racked up 21 Top 40 singles, becoming a cornerstone of Canadian classic rock.

The band’s gritty, melody-driven sound, blending muscular guitar riffs with pop sensibilities, resonated with fans, leading to inductions into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2010 and Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2023. Despite critical jabs at times—Goodwyn himself admitted to writing some “godawful crap”—their live performances kept crowds coming, with over 100 shows a year by the 2000s. The addition of guitarist Brian Greenway in 1977, just before First Glance, added the spark needed for "Roller"’s three-guitar attack, as noted in a review on Outsider Rock.

Fans can connect with April Wine through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and throwback content. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, fan communities thrive online. The April Wine Fan Club on Facebook is a hub for devotees sharing memories, photos, and tour stories. Websites like AprilWine.ws offer fan-curated discographies and news, keeping the spirit of April Wine’s music alive for new and longtime listeners alike.