By 1986, musical styles had changed with the Punk and New Wave pop music scene on the wane.  Collectors were thrilled to see the basic pink box line change to a black box to highlight the dramatic techno-neon color accessories inside.  The "Rockers" band was born with five original members and billed by Mattel as "Dazzling Superstars Ready to Rock".  Barbie®, Dee Dee®, Dana®, Diva® and the Hispanic Derek®, with an all-new head mold.  It was the first distinctive mold used since Brad®'s in 1969.   Rock 'n Roll was back in a candy coated way!  Each band member was ready to rock with microphones, cardboard punch out records and a slew of accessories that included the "Rockers Live Concert Instruments", "Hot Rockin' Van" (with real tape player), "Dance Cafe", "Concert Stage" and "Recording Studio" that were sold separately.  Interestingly, none of the instruments actually made any sounds or "music", and only a Barbie® version came with a cassette tape with "Rockers Greatest Hits".  Derek® was packaged with a guitar in both versions, but is pictured in most publicity photos as the drummer for the band.   Continuing with the hysteria, a "Rockers" clothing line was available as well with two fashions #1177 and #2691for Derek®, and later, #3395 for Derek® or Ken®.  

Ken® joined the band in it's second year, 1987.  Rocker's Ken® is the first rooted hair Ken® we have seen in a long time, and the first rooted blonde ever. This version is a great departure of the vision most of us have for Ken®.   It uses the 1986 Ken® head mold.  It was also used on the Jewel Secrets Ken® of this same year.  Ken would come in at the time of the band's demise, although the line was wildly popular in the foreign market! Variations of the Rockers were manufactured by other toy makers under license from Mattel.  Notably is the Rock Star Kenny made by Top Toys in Argentina with Ken® in a floor-length satin top coat!

In 1987, Mattel will release a Rockers fully animated video called Barbie and the Rockers Out of this World (Volume 1) ©1987 by Hi-Topps Video (aka Barbie and the Rock Stars in Europe, Australia, Canada, etc.)

After her successful worldwide concert tour ends, Barbie® (voiced by Sharon Lewis) reveals to the Rockers her greatest tour ever-a concert in outer space! This half-hour special was based on the popular Rocker Barbie doll created by Mattel. A DIC Enterprises Production in association with Mattel. Syndicated: Fall 1987.

On the back of video it says "Hi, I'm Barbie®. My band The Rockers, and I, are taking off for excitement in our very first video! Ken, Dana, Diva, Dee Dee, Derek and I are going where no band has gone before...into space! Now our music is rocking the outer limits because we've launched into an adventure that's totally "Out Of This World". So strap yourself in for action, because the countdown to fun has begun!" 

The video outraged Hasbro Jem fans, who had faithfully watched Jem and her friends in her animated cartoon series that ran from 1985-1988.  While the Rockers video wasn't a hit, Barbie® remained one and set her sights on a new band called the "Sensations", which appeared in 1988.  Another Rocker video was released in 1988 that continued the story titled "Barbie® Sensations Rockin' Back To Earth" (Volume 2) ©1988 by Hi-Topps Video.  (See the Bobby page).  The video had a new storyline, placing the Rockers band in 1959.  The new video includes Volume 1 as well.

The legacy of Derek will be remembered for many special reasons.   Not only does he define an era, but he was the first Hispanic male doll made with a distinct personality.  Ken® had been made previously with an Hispanic head mold, but this is the first Hispanic male doll we see included as a character and friend.   Unfortunately, Derek® was made only for the "Rocker" band, and when tastes changed, Derek® was discontinued.  We would see Derek® (or at least his head mold) reappear a few years later in 1989 as Dude®, boyfriend of Jazzie®, Barbie® doll's cool teen cousin.

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M#:  2428  BD:  1985   HC:  Painted Two Tone Black/Brunette.  C:  Black vinyl pants.   Greenish yellow shirt with matching vinyl collar and black satin tie s/l.   Metallic fuchsia cummerbund.  Multi-color print pink/blue/white/green and aqua jacket with tails and fuchsia metallic collar l/s.  A:  Greenish yellow socks.   White tennis shoes.  White t-shirt with "Rockers" appliqué on front s/s.  White microphone.  Iron-on "Rockers" transfer.  Two sheets of cardboard punch outs

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NOTE:  Made by Industrias Rotoplast under license from Mattel.

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M#:  3173   BD:  1986  HC:  Painted Two Tone Hot Pink (highlights)/Brunette.  C:   Metallic gold pleated pants and metallic pink belt.  Greenish yellow t-shirt with gold stars and "Rocker" logo appliqué s/l.  Metallic gold textured jacket (see NOTE) with orange handkerchief attached to lapel ¾  sleeve.  Yellow fingerless glove on right hand.  A:  Orange socks.  Silver tennis shoes.   Silver microphone.  Yellow guitar with metallic guitar strap.  Guitar sticker.  Sheet of cardboard punch outs.  NOTE:  Also available with a variation "plether" carmel color jacket.  Both versions are pictured in the picture link).

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M#:  3173   BD:  1986  HC:  Painted Two Tone Black/Brunette.  C:   Metallic gold pleated pants and metallic copper belt.  Greenish yellow t-shirt with gold stars and "Rock Stars" logo appliqué s/l.  Metallic gold textured jacket with orange handkerchief attached to lapel ¾  sleeve.  Greenish yellow fingerless glove on right hand.  A:  Orange socks.  Black tennis shoes.   Silver microphone.  Yellow guitar.  Orange metallic and gold lame (matches jacket) guitar straps.  Metallic guitar sticker.  Sheet of cardboard punch outs.  NOTE:   While the domestic version (Rockers Derek) has “Hot Rockin’ Fun” and “Barbie and The Rockers” box text, this foreign edition has “Hot Rockin’ Rock Stars” and “Barbie and The Rock Stars” box text.  The box is also a purple instead of black.  This version was made for the European market.