David Fishof

Last updated
David Fishof
Fishof 220 wiki.jpg
Born
New York City, New York, United States
Occupation(s)Rock producer, sports agent
Known forFounder of Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp
Website Official website

David Fishof is an American music producer, sports agent, and the founder and CEO of Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp. Born in New York City, Fishof began his career representing acts in the Catskill Mountains. [1] From there he went on to represent Herschel Bernardi and other entertainers. [2]

Contents

He became a sports agent, representing Phil Simms, Mark Bavaro, Vince Ferragamo, Jack Reynolds, Lou Piniella, Dave Magadan and Randy Myers, among others. [3] [4]

During his time as a sports agent and thereafter, he started producing live tours. He went on to work with Ringo Starr, The Monkees, Roger Daltrey, and numerous other well known acts. [2]

He has authored three books, Putting It on The Line, a book about his experiences in the world of sports and entertainment, [5] Rock Your Business: What You and Your Company Can Learn From The Business of Rock and Roll, [6] and Rock Camp, An Oral History: 25 Years of the Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp. [7]

Fishof also speaks publicly [8] and was the featured speaker at the "National Speakers Association" annual conference held at the Marriott Marquis hotel in New York City's Times Square in 2008.

Tour Producer

In 1981, Fishof began representing the sunshine pop band the Association (who had such hits as "Along Comes Mary", "Cherish", "Windy", and "Never My Love") and in 1984 assembled a tour with them entitled "The Happy Together Tour", which also included The Turtles, Gary Puckett and Spanky and Our Gang. "Happy Together" toured again in 1985 with The Turtles, Gary Lewis, The Grass Roots, The Buckinghams and Tommy James and the Shondells. [9] The tour lasted eight months and was one of the top 10 grossing tours in the country at the time. [10]

In 1986, Fishof produced the Monkees 20th Anniversary Reunion Tour [11] in collaboration with MTV running "Monkee Marathons". He then produced "The American Bandstand Concert Tour" with Dick Clark. [12] In 1987, Fishof produced "Classic Superfest" which featured bands from the 70's with performances by The Turtles with Flo and Eddie, Herman's Hermits, The Grass Roots, Mark Lindsay and The Byrds featuring Gene Clark, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Dr. Hook and BTO. [13] [14]

In 1988, Fishof produced the "Dirty Dancing Live Tour". It sold out all eight nights at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 24 hours. [15] The show included Bill Medley singing "Time of My Life", and Eric Carmen singing, "Hungry Eyes". The production traveled throughout America and went on to tour Europe and Australia.

Fishof then contacted Ringo Starr to pitch a conceptual tour called Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, which saw Starr and various accomplished rock musicians play their hits together in one band. [16] From 1989 to 2003, Fishof produced eight different tours with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. [17]

In 1991, Fishof created The American Gladiators Live Tour with Kenneth Feld, owner of Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. The tour took Gladiators to local arenas where amateur athletes could challenge them. [18] Fishof can be seen discussing this tour in the 2023 Netflix series Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators. [19]

In 1999, Fishof created the British Rock Symphony , which featured Roger Daltrey of The Who, [20] Alice Cooper, and Jon Anderson of Yes. [21] The British Rock Symphony is a CD, DVD and live show featuring the symphonic music of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and The Who.

After parting ways with Ringo Starr in 2003, Fishof largely turned his focus away from tour producing to focus on new ventures in entertainment.

Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp

Richie Kotzen, Roger Daltrey, and Mark Farner at one of Fishof's Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camps. Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp 2011.jpg
Richie Kotzen, Roger Daltrey, and Mark Farner at one of Fishof's Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camps.

During a 1989 tour with Ringo's All-Starr Band, Joe Walsh and Levon Helm played a practical joke on Fishof by pretending to get into a fight with knives. After it was revealed to be a prank, Fishof saw how much fun these musicians were having together, and began thinking about how to bring this experience to the public. In 1997, he launched the first Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp, which allows people from all walks of life to jam with their musical heroes. [22]

Fishof continues to produce Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camps in various locations worldwide, including stars such as Joe Perry, Brian Wilson, Vince Neil, Nancy Wilson, Dave Mustaine, Slash, Jeff Beck, Judas Priest, Def Leppard, members of KISS, and many others. [23]

Unable to hold live camps during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Fishof launched an online series called Rock Camp Masterclasses held via Zoom. The classes featured musicians, music business executives, producers, and songwriters, including Roger Daltrey, Jason Flom (founder of Lava Records), Eddie Kramer, and Desmond Child, among others. [24]

Television Producer

In 2010, Fishof co-produced, with Mark Burnett Productions, a reality television series on his fantasy camp. The show, titled "Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp," aired on VH1 Classic for two seasons. [25]

In 2023, it was announced that Fishof, alongside producers Jeff Rowe and Steve Basilone, had begun developing a Single-camera sitcom called "Rock Camp" with Fox. [26]

Rock Camp: The Movie

In 2021, Fishof's life story was told in the documentary Rock Camp: The Movie. [23] As a result of the film, Fishof was featured and/or interviewed in Rolling Stone, [27] USA Today, [28] The Washington Post, Billboard, [29] and numerous other major platforms.

Comedy Fantasy Camp

In 2023, Fishof partnered with comedian and podcast host Adam Carolla to create Comedy Fantasy Camp, announcing Jay Leno as their first headliner. Comedy Fantasy Camp takes a similar structure to that of Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp and applies it to various types of comedic arts. [30]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ringo Starr</span> English musician and member of the Beatles (born 1940)

Sir Richard Starkey, known professionally as Ringo Starr, is an English musician, songwriter and actor who achieved international fame as the drummer for the Beatles. Starr occasionally sang lead vocals with the group, usually for one song on each album, including "Yellow Submarine" and "With a Little Help from My Friends". He also wrote and sang the Beatles songs "Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus's Garden", and is credited as a co-writer of four others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Entwistle</span> English musician; bassist for The Who (1944–2002)

John Alec Entwistle was an English musician who was the bassist for the rock band the Who. Entwistle's music career spanned over four decades. Nicknamed "The Ox" and "Thunderfingers", he was the band's only member with formal musical training and also provided backing and occasional lead vocals. Entwistle was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Who in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenney Jones</span> English drummer (born 1948)

Kenneth Thomas Jones is an English drummer best known for his work in the groups Small Faces, Faces and the Who. Jones was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 as a member of Small Faces/Faces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zak Starkey</span> English drummer

Zak Richard Starkey is an English rock drummer who has performed and recorded with the Who since 1996. He is also the third drummer to have appeared with Oasis. Other musicians and bands he has worked with include Johnny Marr, the Icicle Works, the Lightning Seeds, and the Semantics. Starkey is the son of the Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr.

<i>Fake Songs</i> 2003 studio album by Liam Lynch

Fake Songs is the third studio album by American musician Liam Lynch, released on April 1, 2003 through S-Curve Records and distributed worldwide by Capitol Records. The album is known for featuring his best-known song "United States of Whatever", which was released as a single in 2002. The album features a bonus DVD that compiles two-hours of various shorts and skits created by Lynch in his home studio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Hudson (musician)</span> American musician, songwriter, and record producer

Mark Jeffery Anthony Hudson is an American musician, record producer and songwriter based in both Los Angeles and New York City. After first rising to prominence as a performer, songwriter and TV personality in the 1970s as a member of the Hudson Brothers trio, Hudson achieved independent success as record producer and songwriter, working with a broad variety of artists including Cher, Ringo Starr, Aerosmith, Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne, Hanson, Harry Nilsson, and the Baha Men.

AXS TV is an American cable television channel. Majority-owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, it is devoted primarily to music-related programming and combat sports – including boxing, mixed martial arts and professional wrestling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Wright</span> American musician and composer (1943–2023)

Gary Malcolm Wright was an American musician and composer best known for his 1976 hit songs "Dream Weaver" and "Love Is Alive". Wright's breakthrough album, The Dream Weaver (1975), came after he had spent seven years in London as, alternately, a member of the British blues rock band Spooky Tooth and a solo artist on A&M Records. While in England, he played keyboards on former Beatle George Harrison's triple album All Things Must Pass (1970), so beginning a friendship that inspired the Indian religious themes and spirituality inherent in Wright's subsequent songwriting. His work from the late 1980s onwards embraced world music and the new age genre, although none of his post-1976 releases matched the same level of popularity as The Dream Weaver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honey Don't</span> Rockabilly song by Carl Perkins

"Honey Don't" is a song written by Carl Perkins, originally released on January 1, 1956 as the B-side of the "Blue Suede Shoes" single, Sun 234. Both songs became rockabilly classics. Bill Dahl of Allmusic praised the song saying, "'Honey Don't' actually outclasses its more celebrated platter-mate in some ways." It has been covered by more than 20 other artists, including the Beatles, Ronnie Hawkins and Johnny Rivers. The song has appeared in films such as The Prince of Tides, Diner, and Perfect Sisters.

<i>Ringos Rotogravure</i> 1976 studio album by Ringo Starr

Ringo's Rotogravure is the fifth studio album by Ringo Starr, released in 1976. It was the last project to feature active involvement from all four former Beatles before John Lennon's murder in 1980, and the second of two projects following the band's 1970 breakup to hold the distinction. Following the end of his contract with EMI, Starr signed on with Polydor Records worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Rivera</span> American musician

Mark Rivera is an American saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, singer, musical director and corporate entertainment provider who is mostly known for his work with Billy Joel. In addition to playing soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, Rivera's musical abilities encompass vocals, guitar, bass, flute, percussion, hammer and chromium steel pipe, and keyboards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gregg Bissonette</span> American drummer

Gregg Bissonette is an American jazz and rock drummer and vocalist. He is the brother of bassist Matt Bissonette, with whom he frequently collaborates. He has played on albums by dozens of recording artists, including David Lee Roth's first three solo albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scot Coogan</span> American musician

Scot Coogan is an American musician known for his accomplished drumming and vocal skills, working as both a session and touring musician. Scot resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he records, performs and has worked as a counselor at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. Scot is also related to Jackie Coogan who is responsible for the Coogan Act that was put into place in 1939.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Sheridan</span> American songwriter

Danny Sheridan was an American musician, songwriter, producer, actor, and entertainment manager. In 2006 he also became a radio personality on 97.1 KLSX Free FM. He is credited as an influential electric bass player, and as the founder of the Eli Radish Band, pioneers of the so-called outlaw country music genre. This is a style that Sheridan's former band-mate/vocalist David Allan Coe continues to perform today, with a string of hit songs like "Would You Lay with Me " and the anti-boss tune, "Take This Job And Shove It". Still in his teens, Sheridan's Eli Radish toured with such notable acts as The Who and The Doors. The lyrics of Coe's "Longhaired Redneck" forever memorialized the concerts he performed with Sheridan while fronting the Eli Radish Band. In 2014 Sheridan began managing Coe and co-produced his new CD "Just As I Am", with Boris Menart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Back Off Boogaloo</span> 1972 song by Ringo Starr

"Back Off Boogaloo" is a song by English rock musician Ringo Starr that was released as a non-album single in March 1972. Starr's former Beatles bandmate George Harrison produced the recording and helped Starr write the song, although he remained uncredited as a co-writer until 2017. Recording took place in London shortly after the pair had appeared together at Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh shows in August 1971. The single was a follow-up to Starr's 1971 hit song "It Don't Come Easy" and continued his successful run as a solo artist. "Back Off Boogaloo" peaked at number 2 in Britain and Canada, and number 9 on America's Billboard Hot 100. It remains Starr's highest-charting single in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band</span> English rock supergroup

Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band is a live rock supergroup founded in 1989 with shifting personnel, led by former Beatles drummer and vocalist Ringo Starr.

The Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp is an interactive musical event that takes place in various locations worldwide involving various rock stars on various dates.

<i>The Monkees</i> (TV series) American sitcom (1966–1968)

The Monkees is an American television sitcom that first aired on NBC for two seasons, from September 12, 1966, to March 25, 1968. The series follows the adventures of four young men trying to make a name for themselves as a rock 'n roll band. The show introduced a number of innovative new-wave film techniques to series television and won two Emmy Awards in 1967, including Outstanding Comedy Series. The program ended in 1968 at the finish of its second season and has received a long afterlife through Saturday morning repeats and syndication, as well as overseas broadcasts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Fest for Beatles Fans</span> American music festival

The Fest for Beatles Fans is a twice-annual, three-day festival that honors the lasting legacy of the Beatles. The festival takes place in the New York metropolitan area, ordinarily in March or April, and in Chicago, Illinois, each August. Running Friday through Sunday, the Fest features special guests, live concerts, exhibits, art contests, a Beatles marketplace, a sound-alike contest, a Battle of the Beatles Bands, and more.

Sydney Keith Allison was an American musician and composer, best known as a member of Paul Revere & the Raiders from 1968 to 1975.

References

  1. ↑ "Carol Caffin: David Fishof talks about The Band, the Ringo Starr tour, and the Columbia Records deal". Theband.hiof.no. Retrieved 2014-07-04.
  2. 1 2 "CelebrityAccess Industry Profiles". Celebrityaccess.com. Retrieved 2014-07-04.
  3. ↑ "CelebrityAccess Industry Profiles". Celebrityaccess.com. Retrieved 2014-07-04.
  4. ↑ "Topic Galleries - Orlando Sentinel". Archived from the original on 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2010-05-11.
  5. ↑ David Fishof; Eugene Shapiro (1983-11-01). Putting It on the Line: The Negotiating Secrets, Tactics, and Techniques of a Top Sports and Entertainment Agent. W. Morrow. ISBN   9780688024475.
  6. ↑ Fishof, David; Levin, Michael Graubart (2012). Rock Your Business: What You and Your Company Can Learn from the Business of Rock and Roll . BenBella Books. ISBN   978-1936661459.
  7. ↑ Rock Camp: An Oral History, 25 Years of the Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp.
  8. ↑ "The Bazel Group, Inc". Corporateartists.com. Archived from the original on 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2014-07-04.
  9. ↑ Fichter, Jack. "Gary Puckett to Bring Hits to Wildwood". Cape May County Herald. Retrieved 2014-07-04.
  10. ↑ Archived August 31, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ "The Monkees | Davy Jones". Archived from the original on March 30, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  12. ↑ "'60s B-act Tours: Memory Lane Is A Road Not Taken". Articles.orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved 2014-07-05.
  13. ↑ Einarson, John (2005). Mr. Tambourine Man: The Life and Legacy of the Byrds' Gene Clark. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN   9780879307936 . Retrieved 2014-07-05.
  14. ↑ "Classic Superfest". Articles.orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved 2014-07-05.
  15. ↑ "Dirty Dancing company heads for the hills" . Retrieved 2014-07-05.
  16. ↑ Archived September 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ↑ "The Orthodox Jew who created Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  18. ↑ Clark, Dan (2009-02-10). The American Gladiators Tour. Simon and Schuster. ISBN   9781439102299 . Retrieved 2014-07-05.
  19. ↑ "Sex, drugs and steroids: 'Muscles & Mayhem' covers 'American Gladiators' pain and parties". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  20. ↑ "Billboard Business". Archived from the original on February 7, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  21. ↑ Point Music's 'British Rock Symphony' To Lead Online Sales Push. 1999-10-16. Retrieved 2014-07-05.
  22. ↑ Hagwood, Rod Stafford. "Everything you need to know about Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp in South Florida". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  23. 1 2 "Rock Camp The Movie". Rock Camp The Movie. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  24. ↑ "Rock Camp Masterclasses". Rock Camp Masterclasses. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  25. ↑ "Campers learn hard rock is hard work on VH1 Classic's 'Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp'". New York Daily News. 2010-10-15. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  26. ↑ White, Peter (2023-01-31). "Fox Drums Up 'Rock Camp' Comedy In The Works From Steve Basilone, Jeff Rowe & David Fishof". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  27. ↑ Millman, Ethan (2020-12-29). "Sammy Hagar, Gene Simmons Are Camp Counselors in 'Rock Camp' Trailer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  28. ↑ Dinges, Gary. "'They get a spark out of the music': New documentary goes inside the legendary 'Rock Camp'". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  29. ↑ "Go to 'Rock Camp' With Gene Simmons, Alice Cooper & More in Trailer For New Documentary". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  30. ↑ Petski, Denise (2023-06-14). "Jay Leno & Adam Carolla Team Up For Comedy Fantasy Camp For Aspiring Comedians & Writers". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.