The Crate
April Wine
First Glance
First Glance is the seventh studio album by Canadian hard rockers April Wine, issued in March 1978. It marked the group's international breakout and yielded the enduring single “Roller,” which scored Top 40 status in the U.S. and helped push the band onto wider stages. Roller peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 24 in Canada. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Glance?utm_source=openai))
Recording History
- Recording took place at Studio Tempo in Montreal and Le Studio in Morin-Heights, Quebec, with Myles Goodwyn producing. Engineers included Nick Blagona among the credits. ([allmusic.com](https://www.allmusic.com/album/first-glance-mw0000198861))
- Exact recording dates are not widely documented, but the album was completed prior to its March 1978 release. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Glance?utm_source=openai))
Chart Performance & Recognition
- The album’s commercial footprint included a peak in the U.S. at No. 114 on the Billboard 200 and a No. 62 peak in Canada, with Canada earning a Gold certification for First Glance. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Wine_discography))
- The lead track “Roller” reached No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and No. 24 on the RPM chart in Canada. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_%28April_Wine_song%29))
- The era’s reception framed the album as a breakthrough that helped April Wine tour with major acts and gain international exposure. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Wine))
Cultural Impact & Legacy
- “Roller” became a signature song and helped the band gain broader recognition, appearing in films like Joe Dirt, Grown Ups 2, and The Heat. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_%28April_Wine_song%29))
- AllMusic regards First Glance as one of April Wine’s finest releases, a sentiment echoed by contemporary praise for its hooks and energy. ([allmusic.com](https://www.allmusic.com/album/first-glance-mw0000198861))
- The album’s cover photo motif also appears on other releases in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a noted trivia point for collectors. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_%28April_Wine_song%29))
First Glance stands as a pivotal milestone in April Wine’s career.