After three decades in the business, Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp has stood the test of time. To celebrate its big anniversary, a special event will be held in Miami, Florida, from January 29 – February 1, featuring none other than legends Sir Roger Daltrey and Simon Townshend, brother of Pete, both of The Who.
Since its founding in 1996 by David Fishof, the camp has paired thousands of aspiring musicians of all levels with some of rock’s greatest legends, including Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones), Steve Tyler (Aerosmith), Paul Stanley (Kiss) and Daltrey. In November, Alice Cooper will be the featured musician.
One happy past camper (pun intended) who’s had experience with Daltrey is Mark Province. By day, he’s a financial advisor in Oklahoma City. Province, 65, first saw The Who live in concert at the Cotton Bowl in Texas.
“I was at the very top, and they were no bigger than ants,” he laughs. Imagine his amazement years later when he was harmonizing with Daltrey on stage at the rock camp.
Here’s how it works. After an initial jam session to determine musical abilities and interests, participants are paired up and assigned to a counselor who manages their activities for the week.
The campers come from all walks of life – lawyers, doctors, firemen, teachers, stock brokers – and need no previous musical experience. “We have one important rule,” says Fishof. “While the campers are here, THEY are the rock stars, and we treat them that way.”
Daltrey, now 81 and just knighted by the Queen, says he gets as much from the experience as the campers do. “It reminds me of what I was like when I made my first guitar and started mucking around, playing and singing songs, thinking I was Elvis Presley. It puts your feet back on the ground.”
“David is extremely generous, too,” continues Daltrey. “The camp has helped raise money for Teen Cancer America, one of my charities. I enjoy it, feel incredibly comfortable there.
“Some people say, ‘What are you doing that for – it’s so low life?’ It’s not! These are real people, with real dreams. It might be their fantasy, but it doesn’t matter.”
Fishof says much of his business over the last 30 years has been repeats and gifts. Province, for example, has attended the camp four separate times, each program with a different rock star. Not surprisingly, the camp demographic skews older and is mostly male, like Province.
At the end of their week, campers get a chance to perform their band’s songs live with the stars. Famous rockers sometimes show up, even sit in. Province says Neil Schon (Journey), Tommy Shaw (Styx), Dave Navarro (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Carmine Appice (Beck, Bogert & Appice) have all dropped by during his sessions.
These camps are not cheap. A week with all the trimmings (tuition, room and board, travel, etc.) can cost upwards of $10,000. But Province insists he got more than his money’s worth. “You can’t put a price on dreams,” he says.
(Editor’s Note: In a future story, we will interview Daltrey about what the 30-year anniversary of the rock fantasy camp means to him personally, and how he feels about recently being knighted. Stay tuned.)