ROCK 'N' ROLL HEAVEN FANTASY CAMP LETS REGULAR FOLKS PLAY WITH THE STARS.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

WEST HOLLYWOOD - For five days, we were rock stars - doctors, lawyers, real estate agents, clergymen and this sports reporter - shedding routines for the chance to live our fantasy.

It was the annual Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp, where wannabes - from those with stars in their eyes to middle-age guys escaping real life - pay $8,500 for the chance to perform with members of Kiss, Journey, Styx, Cheap Trick, the Cars and the Grateful Dead.

For a few, the camp was more than a fantasy. Still young and with aspirations to make it as musicians, 20-year-olds Will Seeley and Fiore (just a one-word name like Cher or Madonna) took the camp seriously because this is what they want to do.

Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick worked with the pair and said it was refreshing to see such young, wide-eyed passion.

``You always know rather quickly who has real ability,'' Kulick said. ``A lot of people come here because it's their rock 'n' roll fantasy, but there are always a few who are serious, and are here because they want to learn from the best.''

Seeley, a drummer from England, saved for a year to make the trip.

``I think it was all worth it just to meet Roger Daltrey, but it was in the back of my mind from the moment I got to L.A. that this is where I want to be,'' Seeley said. ``I'm going back to England but have made some arrangements to return in April.''

Now in its seventh session, the Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp is the brainchild of David Fishof, a 25-year industry veteran from New York.

``I enjoy this more than anything I've ever done. I'd do it for free,'' Fishof said. ``In fact, I did do it for free the first few times because it didn't make any money. Now it's making a little money, but I do it out of love because the important thing is how much the campers enjoy it.''

Starting with an audition last Thursday, about 100 of us lived and breathed music and its various tangents for five days and nights, rehearsing at SIR and Swing House studios in Hollywood before our concert at the famed House of Blues on Sunset Strip.

A singer by default because I don't play an instrument, I asked Bad Company/Free drummer Simon Kirke to back me up on his band's signature hit, ``Alright Now,'' and he agreed.

But Kirke must not have heard me correctly because once we got up on stage, he sang lead, too, with me nervously standing in front of the microphone trying to keep up.

Afterward, some of my fellow campers congratulated me on my performance. But it was Kirke, not I, whose voice they had heard, and I held no illusions about my talent, or lack thereof.

It was soon decided I would work as a backup vocalist and percussionist - not a lead singer. So on Monday, I got to play tambourine and sing backup for legendary rocker Daltrey of The Who.

Most of the campers haven't played much either, so a novice on guitar or drums can prove more grating than a backup singer/tambourine player. Soon it was apparent, frankly, that I was not the worst in our nine-member band, and the first couple of rehearsals were like a train wreck.

Slowly, things began to come together, and after a while we actually found the groove and were at least starting and ending the songs at the same time.

``It's always rough in the beginning but we always get better and better, and that's why I love it,'' said our guitarist, Mike DiMano, a returnee. ``It's like a big party.''

Endurance was an issue as we practiced for six hours a day over two sessions. The first ego conflict involved the band name. I knew we'd be playing one big show on one big night, so I came up with One Night Stand or Overnight Sensation but was overruled in favor of L.A. Addiction.

Nearly all the 103 campers at this year's session had flown in from distant cities and foreign countries, and they were infatuated with Hollywood.

Perhaps what made the whole event so special was being surrounded by people who simply were doing what they loved.

``It's been amazing. It was a chance of a lifetime to sing Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'' with my guitar idol, Neal Schon,'' Fiore said. ``It was probably the most memorable experience I've ever had.''

Showtime for our group was nervous time at the House of Blues.

We forgot our choreography. We didn't have enough microphones. And for some stupid reason, I started off by hitting the offbeat instead of following the snare drum as we had during rehearsals.

But a massive crowd was cheering as we broke into ``Substitute''- it helps to have Roger Daltrey at your side - and for just one moment, I really did feel like a rock star.

Gerry Gittelson, [phone]

gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com

FANTASY CAMP

Rock 'N Roll Fantasy Camp costs $8,500 and includes attendance for five days and nights, 10-plus hours of daily jamming and instruction, 13 meals with campers and celebrity musicians, DVD of camp highlights, welcome bag, travel to and from camp events and Battle of the Bands at The House of Blues on the Sunset Strip. For information, call (888) ROC BAND or see www.rockandrollfantasycamp.com.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Roger Daltrey of The Who sings alongside Rock 'n Roll Fantasy camper Fiore during a rehearsal in Hollywood.

(2 -- color) The Who's Roger Daltrey sings as Daily News reporter Gerry Gittelson plays tambourine at a show at House of Blues in West Hollywood as part of Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp.

(3 -- color) Musician Lisa Loeb chats with Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp participants at SIR Studios in Hollywood.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer

Box:

FANTASY CAMP (see text)