Dick Cole’s relationship with motorcycling reaches beyond the thrill of speed. For the Chester, Virginia-based musician, the open road represents independence, discovery, and a lifelong connection to biker culture. His song “Captain America and Billy Ride” revisits the film that sparked his passion for motorcycles, blending personal history with a rock-blues tradition shaped by decades of musical experience.
Cole, born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, has led a remarkably varied life as a retired military officer, civil servant, pilot, photographer, published author, and motorcyclist. His military service took him across the world before he settled in Virginia, where music remains an important outlet for creativity. Following his return from Vietnam in 1972, the freedom portrayed in road movies became part of his personal inspiration.
The song pays tribute to Wyatt and Billy, the motorcycle-riding protagonists of the 1969 film Easy Rider. Their journey across America represented rebellion, independence, and the search for personal meaning. The custom Harley-Davidson choppers and contemporary soundtrack left a lasting impression on Cole, whose first motorcycle helmet even featured Captain America imagery associated with Wyatt. Decades later, that formative influence has found expression in his own songwriting.
Cole’s catalogue reflects a deep commitment to motorcycle culture. Eight of his ten CD releases have explored riding experiences, rallies, memorable encounters, and the exhilaration of travelling by bike. His latest album, Riding on Fumes, returns to the rock-blues sound that has accompanied much of this material, while addressing subjects ranging from relationships and intimacy to addiction, aviation, and life on the road.
His creative development also benefits from years spent performing with Northern Virginia bands, including Point Blank, OTR, Riptide, Fastrac, and Four of a Kind. A songwriting master class at Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy Camp provided additional perspectives from established musicians, including blues specialists Derek St. Holmes, Jennifer “JJo” Oberle, and Jimmy Vivino. Cole particularly valued their advice while shaping his latest material.
Don Henley’s narrative songwriting has also influenced Cole’s approach. He appreciates songs that create characters and situations listeners can follow, giving familiar experiences a larger emotional dimension. His tribute to the television series Then Came Bronson similarly honours a fictional motorcyclist who abandons conventional life to search for purpose along the highway.
Although Cole no longer performs regularly with touring bands, weekly jams with former bandmates keep his musical instincts active. For him, songwriting remains a way to preserve memories, explore complicated subjects, and maintain creative momentum. “Captain America and Billy Ride” reflects that enduring connection between music and the road, celebrating the freedom, restless curiosity, and personal discovery that continue to inspire Dick Cole.