Kenny Aronoff photos by Sean Arenas
Kenny Aronoff shares pearls of rock 'n' roll wisdom at Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp on November 13, 2009.
This article contains a video of Kenny Aronoff jamming with Rudy Sarzo, Howard Leese, and Sandy Gennaro, two videos of questions and answers and instruction from Kenny Aronoff, and a photo slideshow of Kenny working with bands at Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp.
Article by Diana Diaz. Photos and videos by Sean Arenas.
Kenny Aronoff has the aura of a 25-year-old. The drummer's well-defined biceps, slender build, and seemingly boundless energy belie his years of experience playing for John Mellencamp, Jon Bon Jovi, John Fogerty, and many others. His affable personality makes for a pleasant afternoon of observation at Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp or RRFC.
Kenny Aronoff is a busy man: most rock legends might want to relax for an afternoon before a gig later in the evening; not Aronoff.
He visited rooms with RRFC “rock star” campers to coach them as they prepare for a showcase only a few days away. Each room has a band that has been working with a camp counselor to learn covers, write original songs, and come up with a name for their group.
Kenny Aronoff, Howard Leese photo by Sean Arenas
At the Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp, one can find camp counselors who work as music producers like Ron Nevison or engineers like Eddie Kramer. They have worked with rock 'n' roll greats like Bad Company, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, Heart, and the Doors.
Aronoff listens intently to each band before he gives glorious pearls of wisdom from his big heart and years of experience. He sits behind the drum kit and shows the groups how to lead a band by drumming. A moment of listening reveals an obvious difference between a working professional as opposed to people who have a dream to fulfill, dreamers come to RRFC to learn from industry veterans. Aronoff very obviously enjoys helping them.
When asked, he said, “I love teaching. I was a music professor. I used to teach at IU - Indiana University. Every year they do a really big opera and I would be in the pit.” A rock star who is also a bona fide musician stands out from the crowd. Did those students even appreciate whom they had?
Kenny Aronoff photos by Sean Arenas
The camp founder, David Fishof, beaming like a proud father, also visits each room. He listens intently to what the bands have produced thus far. Counselor David Nevinson warns his band not to play or sing full out, but to conserve their energy for the next few days until the concert at Whiskey A Go-Go. Over a catered lunch, the bands all announce what name they have chosen and the songs they will perform at the concert.
In addition to coaching each of the bands, Aronoff fitted in a question and answer session where he talked about how he keeps up with all of his engagements. He said he transcribes all of the songs with all of the different groups he works with so that he does not forget anything.
Aronoff finds it easy, with today's digital technology, to record music and send it without traveling. He can lay down a drum track and post it to his website with "key" that a band can use to open it and listen to his work - once they have paid their fee, of course. This comment elicits a chuckle from the audience.
Kenny Aronoff photos by Sean Arenas
He regaled the campers with stories about working with AC/DC and that they were more specific about what they wanted than most of the bands he has worked with. He talked more about how he leads from the drums - these valuable secrets from his many years of experience helped to educate all of the camp members.
Aronoff played and sang examples of how sometimes Jon Fogerty will start a song in a tempo, and that Kenny must decide how best to support him - whether by adjusting the tempo, or going with Fogerty's original lead. He also talked about how the drums work as a unit with the bass.
Once Aronoff left for his gig that evening, the bands went back to jamming and master classes. Campers dream about the rock legends who might come to visit the camp and don't know the meaning of the word stop unless it follows never - Meatloaf, Ace Frehley of Kiss, and Robby Krieger of the Doors, just to name a few.
Kenny Aronoff photos by Sean Arenas
Campers will remember the wonderful afternoon Question and Answer session they had with Kenny Aronoff. They will wonder at how Kenny Aronoff, Sandy Gennaro, Rudy Sarzo, and Howard Leese could just jam together and make it almost magically sound good. Music is a language, and these masters are all fluent in many dialects. Not only do we find them masters at music, but also an infectious spirit of generosity. The professionals there want to share what they know.
After this busy Friday session, campers have an action packed weekend. Saturday they record at Capitol Records. Sunday they play a showcase at the legendary Whiskey A Go-Go on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood where many music legends have graced the stage. They will leave the event still talking about the great time they had gigging and recording with their band mates. They will have DVDs to show their friends and family and a CD to enjoy. This is the stuff of dreams and Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp.
Kenny Aronoff question and answer 1 of 2
Kenny Aronoff question and answer 2 of 2
Kenny Aronoff, Rudy Sarzo, Howard Leese, Sandy Gennaro jam
Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp returns to Los Angeles February 23-28, 2010.
London/Abbey Road Camp May 25-30 2010.
All levels of musicians are welcome.
For more information visit www.RockCamp.com
Article by Diana Diaz. Photos and videos by Sean Arenas.
All photos and video by Sean Arenas. Sean Arenas is the band photographer for Arenas Promotions.
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