ROCK 'N ROLL (v1)
MACHINE GUNNER (straight-armed)
Year: 1982
Series: One
Rock 'n Roll (v1) was one of the original figures released carded in the first series (1982). Like all of the original sixteen figures, Rock 'n Roll (v1) was released with "straight arms."
Figure Views
Accessories
Rock 'n Roll (v1) came with a dark green helmet, a black M-60 machine gun, and a black bipod that snapped onto the end of the machine gun.
Packaging Information
Filecard Information
Grade: E-5
Birthplace: Malibu, California
Primary Specialty: Infantry
Secondary Specialty: PT Instructor
Rock 'n Roll was a surfer in Malibu prior to enlistment. He was also a weight lifter and played bass guitar in local rock bands. Is familiar with all NATO and Warsaw Pact light and heavy machine guns. Graduated: Advanced Infantry Training (Top of Class). Specialized Education: Covert Ops School.
"Rock 'n Roll is cunning but naive; forceful but shy. Possesses a strong sense of loyalty to his teammates and is sincerely concerned about their well being. A man of honor and integrity who can be counted on to hold the line."
Variations
When the new version of Rock 'n Roll was released in 1983, two major changes were made to his construction. The straight-arms were replaced with arms that could swivel at the bicep, and his bulky waist-piece was replaced by a slimmer one. Also, the date stamp on the figure was changed from "1982" to "82-83." While technically only a variation, the changes are substantial enough to consider this a new version. However, as many people consider this only a variation, we have chosen to list this figure as version 1.5, rather than version 2. Other than "straight-arm" and "swivel-arm" releases, no variations of Rock 'n Roll are known to exist.
There are two versions of Rock 'n Roll's filecard. The filecard with the Rock 'n Roll available from Hasbro Direct has a glossy red backing, while the filecard that came with Rock 'n Roll did not. Rock 'n Rolls included with the Sears or JCPenney's exclusive gift packs also had the red backing.
Body Construction
Most of the 1982 series figures and their swivel-arm counterparts re-used molds from each other, repainted slightly to make them seem more original.
Rock N Roll's head and arms were re-used for Breaker and Clutch. Rock N Roll's waist-piece was shared with twelve of the original fifteen figures. Rock N Roll's legs were shared with Breaker,
Clutch, Grunt, Hawk, Shortfuze, Stalker, Steeler, and Zap (and in 1983 Tan Grunt and in 1984 Tan Clutch).
Note that the figure's head only turns left and right - it does not allow the head to look up and down. The heads only turned left and right until the the swivel ball head that was introduced in 1985 (Series Four).
Versions of Rock 'n Roll
In 2008, Rock 'n Roll was renamed to "Ssgt. Rock 'n Roll." In 2009, he was renamed again to "Bench-Press." So while there are multiple names, they are all based on the character "Rock 'n Roll."
- Rock 'n Roll (v1) 1982
- Rock 'n Roll (v1.5) 1983
- Rock 'n Roll (v2) 1989
- Rock 'n Roll (v3) 1991
- Rock 'n Roll (v4) 1993
- Rock 'n Roll (v5) 1997
- Rock 'n Roll / Flint (v6) 2001
- Craig "Rock 'n Roll" McConnell (v7) 2005
- Craig "Rock 'n Roll" McConnell (v8) 2007
- Ssgt. Rock 'n Roll (v1) 2008
- Ssgt. Rock 'n Roll (v2) 2008
- Bench-Press (v1) 2009
Reference Information
The below information contains information about references to various collector's guides, Hasbro references, original retail prices, and other reference material related to Rock 'n Roll (v1).|
Original Retail: $1.99 Hasbro Product: 6408 (Retail), 38102 (Sears 3-Pack) RAHC: n/a Lee's Guide: GIJ-82008 |
Desimone Guide: #6 Tomart's Guide: #GI5011 The Ultimate Guide: Pg. 10 (1st Ed.), Pg. 13 (2nd Ed.) Action Figure Archive Guide: n/a |
