Roland the Roadie and Gertrude the Groupie

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the quirky classic "Roland the Roadie and Gertrude the Groupie" by Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show from their 1973 album Belly Up!, delighting their Zoo Freaks audience. This song, a humorous tale of unrequited love, was penned by the legendary Shel Silverstein, a poet and songwriter known for his whimsical storytelling. Silverstein, who also wrote the band’s hits like "Sylvia’s Mother" and "The Cover of 'Rolling Stone,'" crafted this track as a playful narrative about Roland, a roadie with a crush, and Gertrude, a groupie obsessed with rock stars. In a 1974 interview on The Midnight Special, band member Ray Sawyer described the song as “Shel’s way of poking fun at the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, with all its crazy characters.” The performance of the song on January 11, 1974, featured the band’s signature theatrical flair, with Sawyer’s eyepatch and Dennis Locorriere’s animated vocals bringing the story to life.

Another tidbit comes from a rare 1970s fan newsletter archived on DrHookFans.com, where a roadie for the band (not named Roland) jokingly claimed the song was “half-inspired” by his own misadventures trying to impress fans backstage, though he admitted Gertrude was “way more fictional.” The song’s vinyl release was unique, with both stereo and mono versions on either side, and some pressings labeled as a “Spiraled Version,” a quirky nod to collectors, as noted on Discogs. Fans on the Dr. Hook Fan Club Facebook Group often share stories of singing along to the song’s catchy refrain, “some folks loves ham hocks… but Gertrude the groupie loves groups,” at concerts, with some recalling how the band would encourage audience participation during live shows in the ‘70s.

Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show began in Union City, New Jersey, in 1968, born from a chance meeting between vocalist Dennis Locorriere and guitarist George Cummings at a local bar. Cummings, inspired by the eclectic sounds of rock, country, and R&B, recruited a ragtag group of musicians, including Ray Sawyer, whose distinctive eyepatch (from a car accident) became the band’s visual hallmark. Initially called The Chocolate Papers, they played small gigs, blending humor and heartfelt performances. Their big break came when Shel Silverstein, already a fan of their raw energy, introduced them to CBS Records. Silverstein’s songs, paired with the band’s loose, irreverent style, led to their 1971 debut album and the hit "Sylvia’s Mother." By the time Belly Up! was released in 1973, the band had honed their mix of novelty songs and soft rock, carving a niche in the ‘70s music scene.

The band’s commercial peak in the 1970s included hits like "The Cover of 'Rolling Stone'" (1972), "A Little Bit More" (1976), and "When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman" (1979), with their music crossing Top 40, country, and easy listening charts. Their connection with Silverstein remained a cornerstone, with his witty lyrics shaping their early identity. Fans can dive deeper into the band’s legacy on their official website, DrHookOfficial.com, which includes tour archives and merchandise. Social media keeps the spirit alive, with updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X. For community vibes, DrHookFans.com offers fan stories and memorabilia, while the Dr. Hook Fan Club Facebook Group is a hub for Zoo Freaks and others to share memories and rare photos from the band’s wild ‘70s heyday.