The Story of the Rock N' Roller Controller

The Rock N’ Roller Controller® is more than a foam rolling system — it’s the foundation of a movement program designed to help people sit, stand, stretch, and move with less pain and greater freedom. The exercises can be performed on the floor, seated, or standing, making them accessible for nearly anyone who wants to improve mobility, strength, posture, and daily function.

What makes the Rock N’ Roller Controller® truly special is its origin.

It was invented by Johnny Markowski — master carpenter, craftsman, and longtime drummer for New Riders of the Purple Sage. Johnny’s life has always revolved around rhythm, movement, and endurance. But like many performers, builders, and active people, he faced the reality of back pain and stiffness. Traditional foam rolling offered some relief, yet controlling the roller and targeting the right spot was frustrating and physically demanding. His form would slip, his body would compensate, and the relief never lasted.

Then inspiration struck.

In his New Jersey workshop, combining the precision of a carpenter with the creativity of a musician, Johnny began experimenting with ways to guide the roller instead of fighting it. Using simple materials and a craftsman’s understanding of leverage and balance, he built the first prototype of what would become the Rock N’ Roller Controller®. What started as a personal solution quickly revealed something bigger: a way for people of all ages and abilities to access the benefits of foam rolling without the strain.

Today, the Rock N’ Roller Controller® helps users reduce pain and stiffness, improve posture and balance, and move with greater confidence. Doctors, therapists, and trainers recognize it as a breakthrough — a tool born from real need, shaped by skilled hands, and inspired by the belief that movement should feel empowering, not painful.

Now, we invite you to experience it for yourself — and discover how one craftsman-musician’s search for relief turned into a new way for people everywhere to move, recover, and live well.