Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp (September 2009 Issue)
Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Campers Testify!

Photos by Alex Solca

The Los Angeles Rock ’N’ Roll Fantasy Camp held this past April 29 through May 4 was a huge success. For founder and creator David Fishof, it marked the eleventh camp session overall. Fishof and friends, along with MD associate editor Billy Amendola, celebrated in high style, with a star roster of counselors and a killer drum jam. Here, some campers reflect on their rocking experiences. For more, check out the September Backbeats in Modern Drummer magazine.


I’m at the camp getting my drumming ripped to shreds by producer Mark Hudson, and I love every minute of it! In fact, I paid specifically for this experience, and it has proven to have moments that are as intense as some of the most unforgiving that I endured as a surgical resident during eight years in a program known for being grueling and malignant.

Mark has produced Aerosmith and Ringo Starr and is an absolute genius–a brilliant, funny, and gifted man with a rainbow-colored beard (which, as he puts it, makes him look like he had an accident with a bag of Skittles) and an ear for how something was meant to sound and how it should be played.

We are well into day two of four of rehearsals for our session at Capitol Records and our show at the Whiskey A Go-Go. The random people in my band–interestingly, three other doctors, plus a labor coordinator and a talent agent–all appear to be as shell-shocked as I am, and I struggle to understand how all of this will come together.

Mark wants me to play harder, and I feel incredulous, as every band I ever rehearse with, and even my drum teacher/mentor, Joe Bergamini, tells me I play too loud. A quick text exchange with Joe yields a gem: “Play harder but don’t tense up.” I am only too delighted to comply.

I’ve been playing drums intermittently since my teen years; I was self-taught early on and managed to pick up all the bad habits while I meandered through garage bands in high school and somewhat through college. The early years of medical school allowed small nooks of time in the corners of the day to rock out with some fellow over-stressed students, but as soon as we hit the wards, the drumming stopped.

I left the drums for many years–twelve in all–as I completed my residency, went off into practice as a vascular surgeon, and pursued other interests (actually, I built an airplane in my basement…). Call it middle age, or nostalgia, but quite honestly, I’m not sure what inspired me. But, at around forty, I took up drumming in full force–this time with a mission.

I have now done three camps–two in London and most recently L.A.–and I can attest to them as genuine, intensive, and educational experiences.

Do not let the words fantasy, rock star, and camp throw you. While these terms appear to be useful marketing tools, the reality is that the essence of RRFC is that it should more accurately be thought of as an intensive band retreat for serious recreational musicians. To be coached by a well-known professional on how to be in a professional band is well worth the cost of admission. It is much easier to take constructive criticism from a world-class producer than from your local guitar egomaniac, and believe it or not, what you learn stays with you indefinitely, not just when the gig is over.

Upon my return from my first camp, I joined a couple bands, and I’ve continued with my weekly “therapy” sessions with my teacher Joe. Following the second camp, I put a Pro Tools rig in the basement next to my drum studio for recording my various bands, and I “adjusted” my vascular surgery practice to accommodate more drumming. When I returned from L.A., I was clearly a better drummer than I had been five days earlier. As clichéd as it sounds, Rock Camp is truly a life-changing experience, no matter how often you do it!
Jonathan M. Weiswasser, MD


We’re back to Chicago from L.A., and I have to say that this Fantasy Camp ranks up there with the best of the eight that I have attended. The “drummer fantasy jam” was a huge sensation! And what an honor to meet Hal Blaine and listen to him speak–the man has done it all! Thanks to Billy A. and MD for putting that together for us!
Ricky Rudy


For a drummer, Rock ’N’ Roll Fantasy Camp is like being a kid locked in the world’s largest candy store. Meeting some of my drumming idols on the first night–Slim Jim Phantom, Danny Seraphine, and Alan White–had me pinching myself in disbelief.

We were divided into bands, and my counselor, Sandy Gennaro, was the consummate professional. In five days he molded seven strangers united only by a love of rock ’n’ roll into a tight musical machine.

On the second day, royalty joined us. The great Hal Blaine came by and regaled us with stories of what I consider rock’s golden age. Later on that evening the legendary Carmine Appice and Denny Seiwell, formerly of Wings, played along with a stable of drummers in an event provided by special guest Billy Amendola in association with Modern Drummer magazine. We were treated to a drum battle royale with three kits set up, manned by a rotating cast of drum legends. One by one they played solos while the others kept the backbeat going!

Other highlights were recording an original song at Capitol Studios and the camp-ending gig at the Whiskey A Go-Go, where each band got to play a three-song set. But the real highlight was bonding with the other campers and interacting with true professionals and musical greats. I’ve been home for weeks now and my feet still haven’t quite touched the ground.
Rob Green


It was a real treat to meet Billy Amendola from Modern Drummer at the L.A. camp! I’m so pleased that someone from a publication that is so important to the drum community is so real and down to earth–and his son, Matty, is an amazing drummer! I only hope that when I get done with my lessons from Danny Seraphine I can move from being a hundredth of the player he is to about a tenth. That would be great!
David Sokolow


Look for details on the next RRFC, to be held in November, at www.rockcamp.com.

*Note: Video clips can be seen here.

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