Patrick Reilly
One of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had was attending the “Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp.” I have done the Camp 3 times and each experience was incredible!
When I first heard about the Camp a couple years ago I couldn’t understand what it was about.
I was walking down Hollywood Blvd on my way to the gym where I was getting ready to train a client and I look up and see a billboard, “Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp with Special Guest MEATLOAF and Ace Frehley from KISS.” As soon as I saw Ace’s name I was intrigued! What’s this “Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp?” I need to find out more. So after I finished training my clients I went home and jumped online to check out the website www.rockcamp.com to see what this “Camp” is all about. As a KISS fan I was interested in seeing what Ace was up to and couldn’t care less about MEATLOAF. Then I saw on the homepage “Jam with Ace Frehley!” Immediately I was interested and as I
continued reading I saw pictures of the “Rock Star Counselors,” Kip Winger, Bruce Kulick, Teddy Andreadis (the keyboard player from Guns N Roses), Mark Hudson (Aerosmith’s co-writer), Billy Sheehan and Rudy Sarzo. One of these guys was going to be your counselor for 5 days and play onstage with you at the Whiskey A Go Go in Hollywood!
I was hooked! I thought it over that night and said to myself, “I’ve worked hard for years. How many opportunities will I get to play with Ace Frehley?! I immediately signed up and was lucky enough to get in since I was a late entry. I spoke with a Rock Camp assistant and told them I didn’t have much musical experience. She said it was fine and they have different levels from beginner, intermediate and advanced. Personally, I had no musical knowledge of playing an instrument. For years I’ve always wanted to learn how to play guitar so I can play my favorite songs one day. But as much as I love music I was born to be doing what I do…changing peoples’ lives through fitness. I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
On my first day of Camp that Wednesday, I went to the production office at Amp Studios in North Hollywood around 10am and went to find out which band room I was in. One of the assistants told me, “You’re in Room number 5 downstairs. Bruce will be your counselor.” So I got escorted down and was introduced to Bruce Kulick and the rest of my fellow band mates. I couldn’t believe I was going to be learning and spending time all week with Bruce Kulick and all these other Rock Stars just walking around!
You want to talk about a “surreal” experience!
As we rehearsed all week we had to learn 4 songs. We had to learn a KISS song “Cold Gin,” to play when Ace Frehley was coming in on Friday, “Mr Jones” by Counting Crows and “Soul Kitchen” by THE DOORS. Little did I know another “Special Guest” was coming…Robert Krieger from The Doors as well as Jon Andersen from YES!
Then we had to come up with an original.
With my lack of musical experience I wound up playing tambourine and backing vocals. I didn’t mind and Bruce taught me a lot and I enjoyed the experience! My highlight that week was when Ace walked in the door. It was amazing how everyone got so quiet! This was my first time meeting Ace and he was great! I mean talking about a presence. It’s hard to put a finger on it. But some people just have “it.” When he walked in you knew he was a “rock star.” His first response was, “So what are you guys working on?” Bruce told him “Cold Gin.” Ace plugged in his Les Paul and strummed some notes and he went into the opening chords of “Cold Gin!” I was in heaven! Here I was singing Cold Gin with Ace Frehley and Bruce Kulick playing!
Afterwards Ace spoke with each of us and took some pictures and signed autographs. He was great!
The rest of the Camp was incredible and the performance with Robert Krieger onstage at The Whiskey was memorable! I remember Bruce being so happy and proud of us and it was an experience I’ll never forget!
But the ultimate “Rock Camp” experience was yet to come! It happened last November at the Playboy Mansion when Paul Stanley was the Special Guest! As soon as I found out about this Camp I immediately jumped on it and signed up! THIS was going to be an experience to remember.
This time I was much more comfortable with the Camp and became friendly with the other rock star counselors like Billy Sheehan and Rudy Sarzo as well as Teddy Andreadis. I love these three guys and they have always treated me like one of the guys.
I was placed in a beginner band and Phil Soussan, from Ozzy Osbourne’s “The Ultimate Sin” was going to be my counselor. I had a blast and it was great meeting my band mates from around the world!
Again we had to learn 3 songs to play at the Playboy Mansion, one KISS song to play with Paul Stanley and two others. We wound up picking “Rock N Roll All Night,” “Jumpin Jack Flash” and “Heroes” by David Bowie.
Before this camp I started taking guitar lessons so I can play my “Iceman PS 10” onstage. This was going to be a special moment for me since Paul has always been my favorite member of KISS.
I’ll never forget that Saturday afternoon when Paul came into our room with his guitar tech carrying one of his guitars! He came in and was a regular guy! Super cool and asked each one of us where we were from. He happened to start with me and I told him I was from NJ across from Manhattan but now I live in Hollywood. He started telling me stories about how he used to walk across the George Washington Bridge when he was growing up and used to hang out in some towns near me!
He was so personable and was “really” interested in what each person had to say. So then he asked us what song we were working on and Phil said “Rock N Roll All Night.” Paul said, “I know that one…I wrote that 35 years ago at the Sunset Marquis.”
So a few moments later… there I was singing “Rock N Roll All Night” with Paul Stanley!
Afterwards Paul took pictures with us and signed some stuff. I brought my 1977 poster I purchased from Kiss Asylum as well as some other merchandise. He was great and very personable. I’ve met him several times before and he has always always been nice to me. I
couldn’t ask for anything more and that day was no exception.
That night at the Mansion we were scheduled to be the second band to go on. So we were behind the stage getting our gear ready and going over some details. I walked to the side of the stage and Paul was standing there. He saw me with my PS10 Iceman and nodded giving me the thumbs up! We took the stage and played “Jumpin Jack Flash” by the Rolling Stones, followed by “Heroes” by David Bowie. Then for our third and final song Paul came up on stage to join us and whether by sheer luck or coincidence took his spot right next to me! I was floored and couldn’t believe it. Here I am with one of my idols from growing up and now I’m playing onstage right next to him!
We went right into “Rock N Roll All Night” and had a blast! The crowd was into it and I was having the time of my life!
I had a silver sharpie in my back pocket. So as we got off stage before I even asked Paul to sign my Iceman he grabbed the silver sharpie from me and autographed the guitar.
This is what the “Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp” is all about!!
I wanted to tell you my story because I’m looking forward to this October’s Camp with Gene Simmons!
There is something for everyone in the “Rock Camp.” At first I didn’t know what to expect or whether it’s worth it? I will tell you… it’s an experience you’ll cherish for a lifetime! How often can you say you played with Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley?
Now I can’t wait to see what Gene Simmons will be like! Not only am I looking forward to playing with Gene but Vince Neil, Sebastian Bach and Zakk Wylde…all in one Camp!
It doesn’t get any better than this!
Patrick Reilly