40 AT 40: Roger Grybowicz
Job Title: Senior Production Manager

The people are what sets Bandit Lites apart from the rest of the industry. Once a week, for 40 weeks, Bandit will showcase an employee that has made a substantial contribution to the company, whether it be in an office, on the road or somewhere in between. Bandit would not be celebrating its 40th Anniversary without the hard work and dedication of every one these employees.*

*Employee Spotlights are released in no particular order.

For the last two years, Roger Grybowicz’s primary responsibility at Bandit has been to act as a liaison between touring crew, clients and customers. However, his music industry experience began long before he started working for Bandit Lites. See below for how he got started in this industry, some of his favorite shows and what he thinks is the most significant technological advancement since he started 30 years ago.

Q. How did you get involved in the entertainment lighting industry?
A. Thirty years ago, I was working for a local band part-time and we used to hire in lights from a friend. Because of my background as an electrician, he asked me if I was willing to help out on a tour as he was a man short .The tour was Chris Rea, the man was Ronan Willson (he worked for a company called Meteorlites).

Q. So then how did you end up working for Bandit Lites?
A. In 1981, Iron Maiden was touring Europe with an American group called Blackfoot which is where I met a young board-op named Michael. Twenty-six years later, I took Lord of the Dance to the USA and used that same man’s lighting company for the tour. The young man was Michael Strickland and the company is Bandit Lites. In 2005, I needed to come off the road for family reasons and looked for a more permanent installation. Having worked for Bandit as a freelancer for a number of years, I approached them explaining my predicament. I’m pleased to say I took up their offer and have been working fulltime for Bandit since January 2006.

Q. After 30 years in this business, you must have seen some spectacular shows. Do you have any favorites?
A. Here are my top five, in no particular order.
1. Journey at Norman Oklahoma –where I got the phone call my wife was expecting twins
2. Iron Maiden at the first Rock in Rio festival
3. 1976: Led Zeppelin (Earls Court London) – I finally got to see my heroes
4. 1979: Led Zeppelin (Knebworth festival) – I finally got to work with my heroes
5. Genesis round about 1984/5- the very first moving light show I’d seen. It took my breath away.

Q. In your opinion, what is the most significant technological advancement since you started working in the entertainment industry, and why?
A. Scissors – I hardly ever see any longhaired road crew anymore!