Speedway Boulevard (written as Speedway Blvd.) was an American studio-only rock band, who produced one self-titled studio album for Epic Records in 1980. Background The group was put together with session musicians by the bubblegum pop production duo Jeffry Katz and Jerry Kasenetz, who also produced Ram Jam. The band featured Ram Jam live members Dennis Feldman, Glenn Dove, and Gregg Hoffman performing alongside future Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess, and singer Roy Herring Jr.

Roy Herring co-wrote the hit "Hustle on Up (Do the Bump)" which was a hit for the group Hidden Strength in 1976.MusicVF.com - Hidden Strength Top Songs Greatest Hits and Chart Singles Discography

Career Speedway Blvd released their single, "(Think I Better) Hold On" bw "Speedway Boulevard" on Epic 9-50879 in 1980.45Cat - Speedway Blvd. (Think I Better) Hold On It was reviewed in the 10 May issue of Cash Box where it was "One of the Singles to Watch". It was positive with the rock-solid vocals being pushed by reggaeish beat backed with a steel drum-like sound, keyboards and synths being noted. Also mentioned were the unusual arrangements that were said to set the group apart from the usual pop artists. The reviewer finished off with telling the reader to keep an eye out for the group.Cash Box, May 10, 1980 - Page 17 SINGLES TO WATCH, SPEEDWAY BLVD. (Epic 9-50879) (Think I Better) Hold On (2:53) The single was also reviewed in the 31 May issue of Record World. It was referred to as an "excellent pop-rocker" with Roy Herring Jr.'s urgent vocals and the backing of a muscular rhythm section and bold keyboard lines being mentioned.Record World, May 31, 1980 - Page 16 Record World Single Picks, Pop, SPEEDWAY BLVD.-Epic 9-50879 (THINK I BETTER) HOLD ON The album was also added on to the playlist of WSHE-FM in Fort Lauderdale that week.Record World, May 31, 1980 - Page 26 Record World Album Play, WSHE-FM/ FT. LAUDERDALE, ADDS: HOLD ON-Speedway Blvd.-Epic

It was reported by Cash Box in the 2 August 1980 issue that bubble gum moguls, Jerry Kasenetz and Jeff Katz were back with Speedway Boulevard who had been signed to the Epic label.Cash Box, August 2, 1980 - Page 14 EAST COASTINGS

According to the 9 August issue of Cash Box, the back cover of the group's album, a handful of radio programmers had picked up the single in May. However, they were asked not to play the single due to the album not being available for a couple of months. Then when the album came out, the single was picked up again and was on some playlists.Cash Box, August 9, 1980 - Page 19 RADIO, Air Play, GROUPS THANK RADIO

An ad was run in the 30 August issue of Billboard that the album was fast becoming a hit on stations, WRCN, WQBK, WOUR, WRKK, WQUT, WSHE, WKQQ, WEBN, WXKE, KFMH, KYTX, KLYX, KLBJ, KSHE. KWFM, KPAS, KKDJ, KILO and KZEW.Billboard, August 30, 1980 - Page 29 DRIVE TIME ROCK THAT JUST WON'T STOP It was a top request at WEBN-FM in Cincinnati and KZEW-FM in Dallas.Billboard, August 30, 1980 - Page 26 Billboard Album Radio Action, WEBN-FM Cincinnati (C. Gary), • SPEEDWAY BLVD.- (Epic); KZEW- FM- Dallas (1. Dolan), • SPEEDWAY BLVD.- (Epic)

The group's new single, "Speedway Boulevard" was reviewed in the 13 September issue of Cash Box where it was one of the "Feature Picks". It was originally the B side for their earlier single. The review was positive with the reviewer calling it a driving track with high octane vocals and the screaming guitar licks and synthesizer to match it. The AOR pop potential was noted.Cash Box, September 13, 1980 - Page 9 REVIEWS SINGLES REVIEWS, NEW AND DEVELOPING ARTISTS FEATURE PICKS NEW AND DEVELOPING ARTISTS, SPEEDWAY BLVD. (Epic 9-50936) Speedway Blvd. (3:46) (Kaskat Music, Inc. - BMI)

As shown in the 4 October issue of Billboard, their single "Speedway Boulevard" was a Playlist Top Add on at radio KINT in El Paso.Billboard, October 4, 1980 - Page 24 Billboard Singles Radio Action, KINT -E1 Paso (J. Tippo-MD), • SPEEDWAY BLVD.- Speedway Blvd.

After their sole self-titled album was a commercial failure, they disbanded. Dennis Feldman later went on to join Balance.

Later years Roy Herring Jr. would later produce and record under the name of Mr. Roy.Fireworks Magazine, Jul 31, 2022 - Bands That Time Forgot: Speedway Blvd.

Members Dennis Feldman – Bass and vocals Glenn Dove – Drums and percussion Gregg Hoffman – Guitar and vocals Jordan Rudess – Keyboards Roy Herring Jr. – Percussion, piano, and vocals

Discography Singles "(Think I Better) Hold On" / "Speedway Boulevard" - Epic – 9-50879 - 198045Cat - Speedway Blvd. (Think I Better) Hold On "Out Of the Fire" / "Speedway Boulevard" - Epic 9-50936 - 1980Discogs - Speedway Blvd. – Out Of The Fire / Speedway Boulevard Album Speedway Boulevard (1980, Epic)Discogs - Speedway Blvd. – Speedway Blvd. (Retrieved 2018-09-18)

Further reading Hard Rock 80, 10 février 2023 - Chroniques SPEEDWAY BLVD. | Speedway Blvd. (1980) (Note: Translation from French to English needed)

References

External links Discogs - Speedway Blvd. Speedway Blvd. - Topic channel, Feb 10, 2022 - (Think I Better) Hold On (audio) Rock Candy Fan channel, Feb 2, 2014 - Speedway Blvd - Speedway Blvd (audio) SikkiNYC channel, Dec 28, 2009 - Dad: Speedway. Old School (video) (poor quality)