Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp Founder David Fishof on His Jewish Roots

Whether he is producing a tour, assembling an “All-Starr” band, or writing a best-selling book, there is one thing David Fishof is always doing, and that’s dreaming. Hailed as one of the most creative and innovative entertainment producers in the world, Fishof has been responsible for some of the most original, successful and exciting live shows ever brought to the stage. This includes The Monkees for their blowout reunion tour in 1986 and producing “Dirty Dancing: The Concert Tour,” Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand Tour,” the “Happy Together” tours, the “American Gladiators Live” tour, the “Mortal Kombat Live” tour, and the British Rock Symphony (which featured Roger Daltrey, Alice Cooper, and Jon Anderson). Fishof also created Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band concept with the Beatles drummer.

But there is one production that stands out from all the rest on David Fishof’s CV: Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp. Simply put, RRFC makes music dreams come true. It brings people together from all walks of life for an unforgettable experience with countless legendary rock stars, including Roger Daltrey, Alice Cooper, Paul Stanley, Steven Tyler and Slash. These musicians teach, inspire and jam with the campers over four days, concluding a live performance at a famous venue.

However, in June 2020 – with no live music due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic – Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp launched an exclusive nightly interactive masterclass series where people learn directly from the masters. In turn, RRFC brings musicians into the comfort of people’s homes. Unlike typical meet and greets, people hang for 60-90 minutes with stars, hear intimate stories, and get personalized advice. The reviews, demand, and excitement of masterclasses have determined this will be an ongoing series that long after COVID-19.

Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp’s Rock Camps are planning to resume in 2021, as featuring Scorpions band members Rudolf Schenker and Mathius Jabs and many more camps in Las Vegas, New York, Los Angeles and all around the globe. Prior to that in January 2021, Giant Films will release a documentary film entitled “Rock Camp” about the 25 years of the Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp featuring interviews from rock stars and campers about their experiences; the film is notably a release from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Doug Blush.

Music aside, David Fishof has always been very involved within the Jewish community. For the last two years he has been an unofficial “intern” to the Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles. He interestingly had Aerosmith visit the Prime Minister’s home while on tour in Israel and was able to arrange Billy Crystal headlining an event for tonsul General of Israel in Los Angeles to celebrate Israel’s 70th anniversary.

On October 1, 2020, I had the pleasure of speaking with David Fishof himself by phone, as embedded below. Among the highlights of our conversation:

• • Growing up the son of a Holocaust survivor
  • His love of the Jewish Journal
  • How working in the Catskills led him to becoming a sports agent
  • How working as a sports agent led him into the music industry
  • Pioneering the “meet and greet” artist concept with Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp
  • Plans for Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp beyond COVID-19
  • The best way to reach artists and music industry executives

More on David Fishof and Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp can be found here and here.