Do you have close to $10,000 floating around in your pocket and a lifelong dream to be a rock star — never mind that you have no musical talent and it’s your day job as a doctor/lawyer/accountant/overpaid head of a bailed-out bank that left you with money to burn?
You’ll be happy to know that there are some folks willing to help you fulfill your dream for a fleeting five days and relieve you of that extra cash. I’m talking about the people putting on the Rock and Roll Experience in Honolulu October 7-11.
Most of these adult boot-camp rock ’n’ roll events I’ve seen feature an assortment of ’70s arena rockers and has-been metal dudes. But you’d better bring your safety pins, hair gel and best sneer to this one. Its rock-star participant list is heavier on punk rockers and new wavers than members of REO Speedwagon.
The roster includes Akron’s own Gerald Casale of Devo, the MC5’s Wayne Kramer, David Bowie sidekick Earl Slick, Blondie drummer Clem Burke, Glenn Marlock (who launched his career as an original Sex Pistol before playing with Johnny Thunders, Iggy Pop and the Damned), session drummer Steve Ferrone and, for those of you who must have your dose of real classic-rock, Beach Boy Al Jardine.
Participants will be assigned to bands and spend their five days in Hawaii rehearsing, jamming with the rock stars, taking private lessons, going to workshops, attending a luau and playing a final concert opening for “a legendary headlining band.” You’ll get luxury accommodations, meals, roadies and a “professionally edited DVD” of your gala performance, all for $7,999 plus airfare. You don’t need any prior musical experience. What are you waiting for? —Anastasia Pantsios
