Playset Name Rock Backstager
Stock # (US) #4080
Hasbro package contents listing Contains; playcase with working audio speaker, patch cord, carry handle, vanity table with 4 drawers, reclining chair, hand mirror, hairbrush, comb, clothing rack, 8 clothes hangers, label sheets and instructions, "pretend" accessories include nail polish bottle, hairspray bottle and hair dryer.
Comments/Trivia -real working speaker, that doubles as a dressing room for Jem.  
-it was released in both years, 1986 and 1987.  I don't know of any year-related differences.
Produced Variants So far, I have seen the Rock Backstager sold in the following packaging. I don't know of all the country-of-release related differences yet:
  • US issue: Made in U.S.A.  Audio speaker and patch cord Made in Hong Kong. (playset featured on this ID page is this issue)
  • Canadian issue: Audio speaker and patch cord Made in Hong Kong. (playset featured on this ID page is also this issue)
  • Belgian
  • French (known as Loge Rock)
More Skip here for a listing of other depictions of the Rock Backstager (prototypes, catalogues, etc).

Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the photo.


playcase with working audio speaker: Hot pink plastic speaker with a glitter hot pink sticker applied to front, blue plastic speakers with chrome trim on front and blue Jem logo on top left corner with a litho sticker.  Inside has been wall papered on the left side in two different patterns, the right side has a different pattern of wall-paper on the top right corner, over which is a chartreuse plastic mirror.  The rest of the parts are more or less removable.
  • see a photo of it with all removable parts taken out.
  • I'm not sure if the Jem litho sticker is there when it is bought or if a child must place it on himself.
  • I have seen one Rock Backstager that had no bolts & nuts on the metal hinges holding the backstager together.  I think I found it in Canada but I've also seen the screwed together ones here too.

patch cord: black, standard stereo mini to mini cable, approximately 1 1/2 feet long. 
  • Use it to hook up the backstager to the Star Stage or the Rockin' Roadster.  Why, I don't really know since both of those things have their own speakers in them already.

carry handle: molded pink plastic.
  • It is pretty solidly built into the top of the case so I'm not sure why it's listed as a piece.

vanity table with 4 drawers: Made up of 8 pieces itemized below. The desk top is chatruese plastic with pink glittery sticker decals on the front, the same material that is used on the front of the case and the closet shelf.  

Vanity table Part #2: top left piece, fits over desk top: chatruese plastic with a decal of a television (?)
  • The decal is probably applied by the child after purchase.


Vanity table Part #3: bottom right piece, chatruese plastic, holds two drawers.

Vanity table Part #4: bottom left piece, chatruese plastic, holds two drawers.

Vanity table Part #5: top left drawer: chatruese plastic with silver mylar sticker on the pull, with striped decal.
  • The decal & mylar sticker is probably applied by the child after purchase.
  • Each drawer fits in a specific hole and can't be placed anywhere else.
Vanity table Part #6: bottom left drawer: chatruese plastic with silver mylar sticker on the pull, with pink and white tiger-striped pattern.
  • The decal & mylar sticker is probably applied by the child after purchase.
  • Each drawer fits in a specific hole and can't be placed anywhere else.

Vanity table Part #7: top right drawer: chatruese plastic with silver mylar sticker on the pull, with pink and white tiger-striped pattern.
  • The decal & mylar sticker is probably applied by the child after purchase.
  • Each drawer fits in a specific hole and can't be placed anywhere else.
Vanity table Part #8: bottom right drawer: chatruese plastic with silver mylar sticker on the pull, with striped decal.
  • The decal & mylar sticker is probably applied by the child after purchase.
  • Each drawer fits in a specific hole and can't be placed anywhere else.

reclining chair: Made up of 2 pieces itemized below. Part #1: Seat is molded hot pink plastic.
  • I have yet to see a reclining chair, but I have heard that it does indeed exist.  Please send me a photo if you have one!
Part #2: Base; molded chartreuse plastic.

hand mirror: hot pink plastic with engraved zig-zag pattern, matches the other accessories.
  • Arc made a child-size version of a mirror very similar to this, sold in the 3 piece dresser set.
hairbrush: hot pink plastic with engraved zig-zag pattern, matches the other accessories.
  • Arc made a child-size version of a brush very similar to this, sold in the 3 piece dresser set.

comb: hot pink plastic with engraved zig-zag pattern, matches the other accessories.
  • Arc made a child-size version of a mirror very similar to this, sold in the 3 piece dresser set.
clothing rack: chartreuse rod with grooves to hold it up between the green partition and the side wall.

8 clothes hangers: Hot pink with engraved design.  *Only two shown.
  • I've seen two slightly different colours - the only lying on top of the other is a bit more translucent and lighter than the one underneath.
label sheets: photo needed.


instructions: Two-sided sheet of paper.
nail polish bottle: hot pink plastic with engraved zig-zag pattern, matches the other accessories.

hairspray bottle: hot pink plastic with engraved zig-zag pattern, matches the other accessories.
hair dryer: hot pink plastic, matches the other accessories.

Items not listed in Hasbro's box contents 
Green partition:  chartreuse plastic with embossed lines where the clothing rack and the zig-zag shelf slide in.  
Zig-Zag shelf: chartreuse plastic with  pink glittery sticker decals on the front, the same material that is used on the front of the case and the desk.  

Clasp: hot pink with Jem logo on it.  
  • Very helpful for keeping the Rock Backstager together during transport.

Box, liner and inserts not previously noted in Hasbro's box contents above.
*I don't own this playset NRFB so I can't say which, if any posters and inserts originally came with it.
Box: US issue: Made in U.S.A. Audio speaker and patch cord Made in Hong Kong.
Box inserts: Brown cardboard


Other images of  The Rock Backstager (generally unproduced/prototypes/promotional items) Differences from produced playset (if any)
Hasbro catalogues
Hasbro box photograph
Topolino (Issue 1616, November 16, 1986 and others)
Store Catalogues
Prototypes (from Hasbro employees, etc)
Commercials
Other Print advertisements
Illustrations: Hasbro Box art The chair in the box art is shown to swivel.  Most, if not all, Backstager chairs did not swivel.
Illustrations; Hasbro Promotional art
It was not featured on the cartoon, as far as I can tell.
Illustrations: UK Comics
Illustrations: Colouring & Activity Books

Credits: Thanks to Nabil for information on the Belgian Rock Backstager.