by Richard Skelly » Tue Apr 30, 2019 12:13 am
Not to be confused with Roxy Roller featuring Clark Perry. Or Roxy Roller featuring Bryan Adams (then known as Bryan Guy Adams). Or, for that matter, Roxy Roller by solo Nick Gilder.
Roxy Roller was the third single from Sweeney Todd’s debut album. By the time it peaked at #1 on RPM, Nick Gilder and guitarist/co-writer James McCulloch vamoosed to Los Angeles. Chrysalis Records was intent on breaking Nick as a solo artist.
As I understand it, Chrysalis re-recorded Roxy Roller but had to withdraw the single because London Records had dibs on the American release. And threatened litigation to protect that right.
Clark Perry sang over the original Roxy Roller instrumental. But left the band quickly. Then Bryan Adams entered for an extended stint. He, too, sang over the original tracks. The resulting third Sweeney Todd release bounced around the 90s of the Billboard Hot 100. A far cry from the heights scaled in Canada by the Gilder original.