Roadies in retirement: Life after life on the road

The 70s, 80s and 90s were the decades that built Australian rock music, and launched the careers of our nation's rock and roll royalty. But behind the scenes, working hard to make sure you didn't even know they were there, were the roadies. They started early, worked late, and spent life on the road for months at a stretch.It was an all-encompassing career that left little time to build a life outside of it. And as those roadies reach retirement, the decades of hard work and isolation on the road are taking a toll physically, emotionally and socially.Adelaide University researchers are now working with former roadies to understand the particular challenges they face as they age — and what other industries can learn from our original gig workers.