David Fishof and Guy Fieri
For those of you reading my blog, I am sure you all realize how much fun we are having, but also you all are aware of all the work we are doing rehearsing our songs. That is if you can call playing music work of course! But all the camper bands are feeling competitive and hungry to be great at the big last night event, on stage at the famous Whiskey A Go Go in West Hollywood.
Sunday started with rehearsals once again. My band was eager to run through what was decided as the three songs we would perform. We were pleased with our progress, and even though Ally, one of our singers overslept from her night on the Sunset Strip, we forged on with the help of our tour manager Leslie.
We were asked to head over to the El Portal Theatre around noon, for our Q and A with Todd Rundgren. It was an honor to be asked to interview him for the campers as David Fishof realized I had known much of his long and successful career.
Todd discussed the music biz, from his career as a solo artist, band member, and hit record producer as he fielded questions from the audience. Todd was very insightful and extremely articulate with his knowledge of how to balance being true to your music as an artist and making it work in the music business. I know the campers learned as Todd is an iconic talent in rock, as he has not only written some amazing songs, he has produced some huge albums in his career as well.
It was finally time for lunch and a real treat was in store for the campers. We were off to “Baby Blue’s B.B.Q.” a barbecue style restaurant in the heart of West Hollywood. Guy Fieri the celebrity rock n’ roll chef was the master of ceremonies here and the food was more than amazing, it was sublime!
Serving the campers at the luncheon
The cake was huge and themed like a Gibson Explorer guitar! I could tell the campers were all having a great time, drinking and laughing and celebrating the time of their lives.
Explorer Cake
We were hours from the start of the big show at the Whiskey. Everyone had some time to get ready for the big night. By 6pm that evening were we all at the famous club on the Sunset Strip getting ready to rock with our bands.
I was checking the gear on stage, and talking to my band members letting them know to remember what Todd said early that day. Have fun! Relax! Make sure you show the crowd how much fun you are having on stage.
My band “WTF” were up second and a very excited bunch of total strangers just 5 days ago, got on stage like we owned the place! I was so proud to watch them play and sing their hearts out. We were much tighter and focused than I ever expected
I played along on guitar and Todd Rundgren joined us on stage for “Helter Skelter”. The next song was our original tune, and we ended our set with the crowd pleaser from AC/DC “Highway To Hell”. I was shocked how good Jamie one of my guitarists handled the vocals, and in the last line of the famous tune, he said something like “Bruce Kulick took us through Hell”!!
That inside joke made me really laugh. My counselor style can be tough at times, but that approach regarding how I demand the best from each of them in the end always proves to be rewarding for all of us. Many of the other campers congratulated us, and I congratulated them for doing their best. We all enjoyed those amazing 10 minutes on stage in front of family, friends, and their fellow campers.
I watched many of the other camper bands, as I am always fascinated to see the growth, and see the thrill they all share of being on stage. Steven Tyler was even in the house and was quietly watching from a dark spot upstairs. I heard he loved when a camper band performed one of their Aerosmith tunes!
Share's band rockin the Whiskey
Todd joined most of the bands on stage, even playing drums for Elliot Easton’s group for one song. He had a blast singing and playing guitar with a few of the other bands.
Todd jamming with Mark Hudson's band
The evening was hosted by our master chef Guy Fieri, and between the camper band set changes, charity items were auctioned very successfully, (thank you to all the bidders). When all 12 bands were finished it was time for the big counselor jam.
We only had about 30 minutes and we rocked the house to the delight of the crowd. Todd joined us on stage and after a few songs on tamborine, he was begging to play guitar. I was honored to hand him my Gibson LP, and off he went jamming away as I was cranking the amp on stage for him!
We all said goodnight and I thanked everyone I met at the camp for making this years Hollywood Camp one of my favorites. I really know that this experience is something people never forget, and I look forward to more in the future. We had many new counselors and they all loved the concept and what they experienced.
I want to thank David Fishof and Courtney Clonch for all their hard work, and of course all the wonderful staff that helped make this past week super successful.
Now I can REST!