David Fishof's New Film The Bridge Featured on JM in the AM

JM in the AM. Well, David Fishoff's here, which means Bedum has already has already set in. >> We're going to have to explain this because I don't think you want people just showing up to this event. >> I do. >> You want people showing up? >> Yeah. >> And they walk in. They They mention my name. >> They mention your name >> and they walk in for free. >> Yes. >> That's how we're starting this. >> You heard me at AM and the JM. >> That's how we're starting this. Yeah. >> Now, it's not the Yankee game. That's correct. [laughter] All right. David Fishoff's here. The last time we were together >> Yes. >> in any type of radio setting was when I was speaking to Jonathan Pard >> and that was in the in >> right >> in Jerusalem. It was you know what was amazing about that. I don't know I don't know what you remember about that day. The first half of the conversation was not great >> and the second half was insane. >> He opened up. In fact, not even a matter of opening up. He he allowed me to start directing him as to what people wanted to hear. He was so into the nittygritty and the details when we first started and people were just not, you know, I I mean, I'm trying to imagine as somebody who's doing this many years, you know, what the listeners are curious about and they weren't curious about that stuff. And then he let me, you know, veer the conversation a certain way and then it was off the charts and ended up being, you know, a tremendous ratings grabber. in that video has been seen a million times by people and uh yeah, you consider him a hero and he's certainly somebody who uh who tells it like it is. >> Well, not only tell it like this, I remember seeing him taking money out of the bank. I was walking to Lion and I bumped into him and I said to him, "Can I take a selfie with you?" And um and he said, "Yes, please." He was so nice. Um, and then what happened was that I posted it and I got so many re more than any star I've ever been with >> of all varieties. >> Over. Yeah. All varieties. But no, good things. But then I reminded him a story. When I was producing the American Gladiators, I was flying to St. Louis and I'm on the plane and his lawyer was on um the plane and he came over to me and he said, "Mr. Fish," he said, "Um, I'm on my way to see Jonathan Pard and I represent him." And I said to him, you know, and I he said, "What are you doing?" I said, "I'm going to see the American Gladiators." That's when I was producing it. So funny. I'm going to St. Louis tomorrow to for my film. And um he he said, "Uh, I'm going to tell Jonathan that I met you." >> And I kept getting letters from him. He would watch the show on a little black and white TV in jail. And um he would knew the show. And him and I were writing back and forth. And I remember sending money to his wife and and trying to help out. We kept in touch for a long time. And he remembered. And listen, he >> Well, he remembers everything. >> Oh yeah. remembers everything. >> And then I've been bumping into him a lot. You know, it's he's at the Waldorf every day in Israel. >> Some other meeting, huh? Every >> other meeting. And he's I sit down with him and you know, I remember introducing to my son and we were walking and you know about going to law school, going to college and he had an opinion on everything. He's really a remarkable man. >> So you uh you turned into be you turned out to be a Waldorf guy, >> you know. Not not really. I mean, I go there for coffee, but >> Oh, right. You're more of an apartment guy. >> Yeah, I'm an apartment guy. Yeah, I stay in David's Village and I spent a year there. I went to yeshiva every morning. Went to the hotel and I'm going back in January. >> For how long? Is this permanent? >> Six months. Six months. I'll do six months. I did. Last year I did. >> You're literally going to be in Israel from January till the summer. >> Yes. And I'm going back to Yeshiva. >> People are always fascinated that it's doable in your business. People would think that you need to be on the spot in Hollywood and places like that. >> Well, I do, you know. So, I fly a camp. I go back and forth and I go to, you know, >> and when there's Okay, we got to do a lot of stuff here. Let's start with this. >> Let's start with the movie. >> David Fishoff, uh, the well-known founder of the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp and the one of the most well-known sports agents in another era, but one of the most well-known sports and entertainment agents in history. uh including the agent for Phil Sims for those who are local Giant fans, including the agent for Lu Panella for those of us who are older Yankee fans, and uh including agent for Ringo Star because internationally we're speaking to a lot of Beatles fans out there. >> 15 years I did >> 15 years with Ringo Star. You could tell us all the wonderful things about people think he's crazy. You could tell us and he's a really nice guy. >> He's a really nice guy. Yeah. And he would, you know, Shabas my my favorite Ringo story. I have a bunch of them, but um Thursday night I were in Buffalo and I just signed him to go on tour and I said to him, "I'll see you in Chicago next week." And he said to me, "Uh uh you said you're going to be with me." And I said, "I know, but it's the Sabbath and you know, I don't I'll go home and I'll come see you next week." Uh you can't celebrate the Sabbath in Buffalo. So [laughter] >> that's funny. >> It was funny. And uh I remember calling my wife. I said, "I'll see you in 8 weeks. I'm going on the road with Ringo." And every shot, he said, he sent the plane back for me. He said, you know, he's going forward. He's told the driver, pick him up after the Sabbath. And I there's so many funny stories. I'd walk into Denver after a show and you know, at the end of a show, and the whole band would start dancing, you know, and and they would just so it it became a funny thing, but um so respectful. So respectful of Shabas. >> You know, I got to remind myself because you know how it is when you write a book. >> Yes. >> When you write a book, by the time it comes out and they start interviewing you about it, you forgot what you wrote. >> Like you know, you just have no idea anymore. But I have a suspicion as I look at my Jewish Heroes chapter. I have a which I'm and I'm about to present the book to you. I have a suspicion, and it's so funny because I remember nothing about I I shouldn't say I remember nothing about writing the book. That's not fair. Oh, yeah. Here it is. Here it is. Uh page 51. >> I made the book. >> Well, you not you didn't just make it. You made one of the most important chapters. The one about Jewish heroes. >> Oh, thank you. >> We called you a Jewish hero. >> Thank you. Well, I you know I consider you a hero for keeping Jewish music for 43 years going on. >> I appreciate that. >> I remember when you started. I I'm a Why? Cuz I'm a big believer Jewish music kept me from that's the bottom line. >> By the way, >> when you travel >> by the way. >> Yeah. >> What made me think that I think I What made me think that I thought I included you in the book? Because as you're talking about being with Ringo, >> right, >> I write the following about you. His job, Fishoff explains, allows him to express his creativity. Booking tours for the stars is what he's good at. But while in his car or his hotel room, he's listening to the music of Aram Freed for teenagers or even adults struggling to define themselves in the priorities. David's message is incontrovertible. So there you go. That's how we introduced you in the book. Then there's more about it. >> But you know, it's so true. Jewish music kept me on the road. kept me from and you know but when I say kept me from it just reminded me that I'm a yid first >> and and there were other I remember it being even more serious than this I guess I didn't want to reveal everything about you in the book but I remember you once told me that as literally as the music was playing in some show that you were doing whichever tour it was you're backstage with headphones on listening to a freed I think that's where I got the whole freedom freed yes they they kept me >> so it wasn't just in the hotel and car which I wrote but it was also literally as your performer was on stage, you wanted you wanted to tune into the real stuff, >> right? And when I went back to my room, you know, everyone went down to the bar and I always put my Jewish music on and just reminded me, you're a yin. I put in Ringo's contract that he needed a car 6:45 every morning that we were in the city because I wanted to go to Minion. So, I would find that, you know, there would be a car there and I'd have a Minion. I'd invite always the everyone who owned the the Kosher restaurant, I'd say to them, um, you know, do me a favor. bring bring me I'll give you tickets and I'd have a whole minion at the uh at my shows at night from Minamar and it was great they had brought me pastrami sandwiches it was so funny Jones Beach Garden State Arts Center Chicago you know I met so many great from people over over the years so and Ringo would always have to meet my friends you know who's this another friend of yours another friend of yours >> he he doesn't realize how close-knit the Orthodox community is >> but okay here's the my favorite Ringo story >> we'll get to this don't worry Oh, yeah. Yeah. This this one this one I got to share because you talked about Art Scroll. So, I get a call from the Shottenstein family from J. Shottenstein's um office that he built a new arena in Columbus, Ohio. And he would like a beetle to open the arena. So, I turned so his assistant says Ringo available. I said, "You tell Mr. Shan if he wants Ringoar, I want a free set of Gumaras of the Tomlin." Yeah, >> he said that. >> That's what I said. I you know me I come out with things. His sister calls me back the next day. He says if he says not only will he give you a set he'll give Ringo star set but on one condition he wants the photo of Ringo holding the Gammorra with his family and him and his family. So well we're ready to So I said I'll make that happen. Now the whole time I'm thinking we're getting to Columbus, Ohio in 3 weeks. What am I going to do? What am I going to do? Finally, the day before I turned to Ringo on the plane. I said, "You know this thing called Cabala that Madonna's in?" I said, "Well, we have a thing called the Talmud and I explained to him what the shot and scenes family's done and and u would you do me a favor? Would you mind meeting the family and taking a photo and you know and they're going to present you with a book of the Talmud." So, Randall thought it was really hip, you know. So, we come into Ohio State now. Walk into Ohio State. >> That's where he built the new arena. Ohio State University. Ohio State University, the shot and steam arena. >> So I said to So as we're walking in, you know, I'm getting clobbered by everybody because they're coming over with me. Is Christopher Sims going to come to Ohio State? Christopher Sims going to come to Ohio State now. >> Phil's son. >> Phil's son. He was He was either going to go to Texas or Ohio State >> and Ringo can't understand why no one cares about Ringo. [laughter] >> All they care about is All they care about is Chris Sims, you know, Chris Sims. >> So he said, "Who's this Chris Sims?" I explained to him, you know, football. Anyways, we go into a room and there's the the family, the Shenine family, and there's two sets of garamaras. Could I told I said to um Mr. Shotty, I said, "We only need one for Ringo. Just give him a braas. I'll take the whole set. >> Let him start with that." >> Yeah. [laughter] So, there he is. Beautiful. He presented us and there's a picture. It was from the Jewish week. I'm I'll share with you too. Here's Ringo and I holding the the Gomorrah. And uh Ringo turned the family. I've never seen David so happy getting a free set of Shensteeen. [laughter] And yeah, there's a great photo. And a matter of fact, I met um I met I was with Spiker Riseman in LA about three three four months ago. >> Major art school guy. >> Yeah, major art school. And I met uh the the publisher, the son, >> Gdalian. >> Gdalia. >> Rabbi Gadalia. >> Rabbi Gdalia. And I told him the story and I sent him the photo of Ringo holding the shot and seeing Gamora. >> Oh, is that funny? >> It was on the Jewish week. Yeah, it was kind of funny. you know the stories that you have on the road. >> David Fishoff is here. Uh David Fishoff and Kevin Bright. Why does the name Kevin Bright sound familiar? Those of you who are familiar with television, if you've seen the very famous sitcom series entitled Friends, he's the executive producer of the Friends television show. >> Yeah. It's a billion dollar franchise a year. To this day, >> can I ask you? >> Yeah. >> And I'll People will be ashamed of me that I'm all these years in media and I don't know the difference. What's the difference between a producer and executive producer? Is it who puts up the money or not? >> Well, that's a good Yes. In movies. >> Executive is the one who puts up the money and producers like the coordinator. >> The coordinator, but no, right. The producer is the coordinator does all the the executive producer in television is the one who created the idea, came up with the concept. Um, and it's >> not necessarily put up the money. >> No, the money because the money in television comes straight from the studios. you know, Warner Brothers and Fox and all they they put up TV TV studios money because there's so many series and everything like that. So, but it was Kevin's um he was involved in the the original. >> So, when it's your idea, you are the executive producer. >> Yeah, you're the executive producer. And um what happened is that he also directed 50 episodes. Um his father was very famous comedian started out as Jackie Brighton, Lower East Side, the Lower East Side Boy. Yeah. Just like you. He's Lower East Side. >> Well, I'm a rookie on the east side. I'm just there 36 years. >> Yeah. His father was Lower East Side. >> Jackie Mason was Lower East Side, >> right? And he represented many performers like the 4A along. His father that became an agent and I was 20 years old and I would hang out in his father's office and we were very close friends. Matter of fact, his parents came to to my Oh, you'll love this. His parents were at my wedding when I was 20 years old sitting next to Art Raymond because they all they knew each other. So he was very Jewish. >> So he was very Jewish. So now Kevin um you know as I went to him to talk to him about I'm doing this movie and we'll talk about the movie. And he said to me, "I'm not going to give you any money, David, but I'm going to be your rabbi." I said, "What is that?" He says, "My father always wanted me to be a rabbi and I'm going to make the movie for you. I love the story." And you wouldn't believe it. He made the movie. And he said, "I'm getting my own director." He says, "Let me make this movie for you." And like they always tell me when I make movies, David, stay out of the kitchen. let us cook the meal and because you know I get in I want to do this. He made an incredible film and you know Kevin is just he tells the story that I I was in his father's office 50 years ago. I had my yamama on and he saw his father how much his father really liked me and really spent a lot of time with me >> and ironically he ended up hiring some yamo wearing people on friends am I right? Yes, he did. And yes. Oh, yes. Jeff Astro. Well, he hired all those writers and he directed 50 episode. He's such an amazing guy and and um the you have seen this and I know we keep getting sidetracked, but hey, you're here. That's what happens. >> Okay. >> You've seen this incredible I don't want to say infiltr influx of from people because it used to be Hollywood was Jewish and there were a lot plenty of Jews to go around but a lot of Orthodox in the last 30 years. No. >> Correct. even the sports agents, you know, I've seen a few of them and um writers in Hollywood. Well, it's it's Yeah, it's easy to be a writer um in Hollywood because you don't have to work on Chavez, right? >> So, you know, Jeff Astro, he's got another this guy's had hits for 20 years. He did Friends, he did um the VP with um Louise Drifus. He's got another one now. It's so funny cuz the show's on Friday nights. >> I was just going to say, well, not only that, but don't they do a lot of filming Friday night or am I wrong? >> Okay. Yes. on a in a comedy series they >> so he missed a lot of those. >> No, what they do what they did is they did it earlier in the day or they would do a Thursday night for him. But um yeah, but you you're seeing a lot more from people in the entertainment business. >> I don't know if I told you I'm teaching at YU. >> You're now a professor. >> I'm Prof. >> I love it. >> What do they call you? >> They call me professor. And it's so funny. The other day I walked into Stern and and the all my students came over to me and said, "Professor, you're here an hour early. Why? Why are you here now early? I said because when I'm home, my wife makes me throw out the trash. You call me professor. I They're so great. I'm really having a lot of fun. It's a lot of work. I didn't realize how you have to entertain people for 14 weeks, 28. >> Toughest job teaching, right? Teaching is the toughest job. >> Oh, I've been preparing for it for >> And when you walk in with special guests, they're always from the sports world, rock and roll world. Who Who do you bring in? >> Okay. So, I brought Tamir Goodman. Oh, nice. Yeah, I'm teaching. Yeah, basketball. I'm teaching sports and entertainment marketing. >> Right. He's been good at that. >> He's been great. and sports that, you know, the the boys want sports, you know, they're all talking sports and and and the girls are into entertainment and u so I got Kevin Bright's going to do my class. Um I had Phil McConi in last week, right? The old giant. He talked to them. >> Um you know, and getting people in marketing and people in marketing and and people that can teach them. I want to teach them to have a personality because it takes that um teach them to be, you know, aggressive and and and you know, how to make a presentation. um how to get there in the real world, what it's really about. >> Well, and the greatest thing you could teach them is to fear nothing. >> To fear nothing >> because if you would have had fear, you never would have met up with George Steinbrunner. You never would have met up with any of these NFLers that you started with. You never would have done any of this, >> right? So, I told them, >> you got to have no fear. >> No fear. And I told them that um you know, we we started doing a we did a a project on why Galbat, the great basketball player, should come to YU. >> The Florida kid. >> Of course, he should go to YU. He'll be an international star if he goes. >> You know, there's 300 rabbis out there in every city saying he should come to their college, their college, their college. Boy, he's going to play 18 games. >> And then of course there's the factor he may end up wanting to spend a lot of time studying Torah. And as I always joke with Elliot Ste as we lose our best players to the base medish. >> Absolutely. [laughter] Yes. Yeah. And I've been I've been in touch with Elliot, you know. Yeah. I'm looking forward to go to game. >> He's coming on hopefully before Oh, we got it's already December 1st. Hopefully before December 6th because on December 6th, I believe it is, YU starts this incredible run of Saturday night home games. So, we want to encourage people to go. >> Oh, and I want to go too. Then I'm going to go to a bunch of Saturday night. >> I have a couple of the students in my class >> that are players. >> Yeah. And both and the Stern class. I have six of the girls are are on the basketball team. >> Wow. >> And and the boys class. So, it's it's fun. It's really been a great >> Well, it's a natural thing, right? People go they join the sports teams, they network in college. I mean, we hear about this, you know, all through the NCAA. They network in college, they end up with with a lot of tremendous connections, right? It's always like that. >> And I wanted to focus on the NIL, you know, today, anyone can be a sports agent. For years, you couldn't be. So, I wanted to open the doors for these young men and ladies and and explain to them that they should find passion in their life. They should do something. Even if they're they're going to counting, get a sports client. And there's so many areas in the sports marketing that they can be doing, but find passion in your life. Yeah. And uh one of the first things you did this morning, and I'm always ever grateful to you, was give us a year-end donation to JMA. >> It's important. >> Why? Cuz you know the person behind it is passionate about what he does. >> 100%. >> 40 43 years, Mr. Fishaw. >> Who else is going to wake up at 5 in the morning to give the people Jewish music? No, I think it's it's so important to keep you going. >> But you love passion. You love being around people who are passionate about what they do. >> 100%. >> You walk into a restaurant, you want to see a restaurant tour who's obviously going the extra mile. Yes. >> To to make it a really nice experience for his customers. >> You know, during co I I'm in live music business, so there's no way to make a living, right? >> So, what I did was I interviewed 160 rock stars and managers and record label people. I would tell people I I went to Alice Cooper and said, "Alice, would you come on? I'll charge a $100 a question. I'll interview 20 30 people. I'll give you half the money. And I split it with everybody. Roger Daltry, the band Sticks, Scorpions, man. Jason Flom is president of a record label. >> Who got the most Zoom people? Like who had the biggest audience? >> Chef Gordon >> the most. >> Yes. Shep wrote a book called Superman. She's Alice Cooper's manager and there was a movie about him and people wanted advice about their career. So, so what happened was they there was two [snorts] common denominators in 160 classes. Number one, it's about the song. It's all about the song. The song has to be a hit song. >> We We know that in Jewish music, it's all about that. If it's a good song, no matter who's singing it, you have a good shot. >> You have a good shot. And number two, passion. All these people had passion in their life. And that's why they became who they became. And I So yeah, passion to me is mo most important. And people should wake up every morning and go want to go to work and want to and want to have passion in their life. And just as an example, you've seen this and a million other films being filmed. >> Yeah. >> The amount of time where people are standing around, the amount of time the actors have to wait and the details they have to pay attention to. If you're not passionate about it, that project ain't getting done. >> It ain't getting done. Yeah. You know, when I was producing the Gladiators, I remember going I walked into Sam Goldwin's office. He's a junior. The son >> the son of the great Sam >> the son of the great gold. And I said, you know, I want to I want to learn to get in the movie business. Sam, can you to help me out? I'm helping you out with the Gladiators. You know, the Gladiators ratings went through the roof after I did live tours. >> Correct. >> And he said to me, you have to have passion. And I said, I want to work on a movie set. He remember he he gave me a job. He said, go work on this set for two days in New York. >> I, you know, I said, I'll give coffee. I I'll do I'll, you know, I just want to watch. I want to be there. >> And, you know, he also said to me, a film only gets made if you have passion. You have to have passion behind it. Because you know a lot of these producers make 10 12 films but they get into it. They've lived the part. They they they want to share the message >> months and months and months >> months. My first film took me 5 years. This film so long is it's almost on its third year but it's it's amazing. This film let me tell you. >> Let's talk about this. David Fishoff and Kevin Bright invite you to an exclusive preview screening of a film entitled The Bridge. When tragedy strikes, play louder. Followed by a Q&A with David and Sam Grundberg, world chairman of Karan ISO. It's happening Monday, one week from tonight, starting at 7:30 at the Westside Institutional Synagogue on West 76th Street in New York. Uh information, I guess you'll tell us how to get information. >> Yes, I want everyone to come that should come. And like I said to you earlier, if they come in and they mention they heard me on Nakam Seagull, they come in for free. >> You're going to tell the ticket taker that? >> Yes. I'm telling my my Yes. I'm telling my staff >> if you walk in a week from tonight at 7:30 to the Westside Institutional Synagogue and mention the name Seagull, you get in for free. It'll start with the movie itself, right? >> Start with the movie. >> How long is the movie? >> Movie 70 minutes and then we'll do a Q&A. Share what the movie is about. >> Well, I saw the trailer. Explain to everybody what this is about. >> So, um, following October 7th and December, I went to visit my son Morai who was in Shalom. And my best friend is Sam Grunward. Sam was the council general of the state of Israel in Los Angeles. We hung out every day. His wife went back there and she said, "Take care of my husband." So, we had fun. [laughter] I remember walking the embassy every day saying, "No, no." You know, and um we would >> That means he's not packing, folks. >> Not packing. And uh we produced some great shows with Billy Crystal for the Israel 70th. Sam moved on to Israel and he's from Ephra and we went to Karan. He runs Karano. Anyways, I called him up. I said, "I'm landing in Israel. I want to go straight down south. I want to see what happened." You know, as as a son of a Holocaust survivor, my dad survived Awitz and Bald. I wanted to see firsthand >> the great Caner fish official. >> Can the mark? Yes. Here in Hackinack, New Jersey. >> That's right. >> Yeah. Wow. And >> what was the name of the congregation? >> Uh, it was it's Bethl now Kabad has it. Wow. >> And so, uh, kept going. So, Sam set me up with a driver. I went down to u I landed. I went down to Berry. You couldn't get into the Ber and Nero. Yeah, you couldn't get into those places. And the mayor gave me a tour. The young lady, I forgot her name, but she she gave me a tour. And after 3 hours of showing me Nova, showing me all everything was going on. She said, "David, I have to leave." And I said, "Where you going?" She said, "I'm going to a funeral." I said, "Whose funeral?" She said, "You know, one of the three hostages is um was funerals now that that was shot by friendly fire." Yam kaim. I said, "Which one is he?" He's the red-haired drummer. So, I decided I said, "I want to go to that funeral." I show up to the funeral, and as you know in Israel, the funeral's packed. 3,500 people were there. >> And it didn't start off with a kamala. It started nothing. It just started with a drum solo. His brother, >> I remember we saw this. Yeah. >> Yeah. His brother set up in his memory. Yeah. A drum set in front of the the grave. And he starts doing a drum solo for 20 minutes and the father takes the sticks and throws him in the grave. At that moment, I said to myself, if I could bring him to my next rock and roll fantasy camp, I'll change his life. I know I can change his life. >> Meaning the brother. >> The brother. I wish I could have brought >> Yeah. >> So, I go back that night to Sam. We have dinner and I said, "Sam, I want 10 Israelis. I want to bring 10 Israelis. My camp is sold out and it's it's we're doing the music of Van Halen." So, I got members of the Van Halen band. I want to find 10 Israelis. I know. Either they were Nova or they were heroes or they lost or something. They were one guy he guarded uh Kibbutz Min. He he lost two of his friends but they held 40 people uh 40 terrace away. Um another one is Bar Rafael his father Leor Rafael's body just came back two weeks ago. Correct. Um one is this singer from Nova Festival Raz. And we we auditioned 10 of them on the air on Zoom and cuz we didn't want just folks singing. We wanted they they had to know rock and roll and and some of them knew you know love Beatles and everything like that. So we picked 10 of them and we flew them to America to come to the camp. Now I had three big issues. Number one I couldn't tell anyone especially in the media because >> oh boy >> they would have been protesting at my camp Israelis >> and even the musicians by the way. >> Well that that's number two. And and so number and they needed therapists. They were warning me, you have to have therapists there. Have therapists. I prepared five therapists to be ready in case they needed it. >> Did you need them >> at the end? We didn't need them. It was one guy said, "I don't need Yeah. And my guitar is my therapy." Correct. >> Number two, I couldn't tell my customers because if my customers, I would say 85% are not Jewish. They're from the Midwest. They're rock and rollers. So I was afraid some young >> They're influenced by the media. >> Right. Totally. And I was afraid one guy was going to get up there. I'd come to play with a bunch of Israelis. So, I was afraid to introduce them. I was going to tell the guy, "Hey, here's your money. You can leave." But I was afraid of the controversy. And number three, I was afraid of the rock stars. If I would have told these rock stars, Michael Anthony from Van Halen, the bass player, that hey, by the way, you're going to be playing with some Israelis next week. Um, he would have said, he would have said, "You know, David, I love you. I'll do the camp some other time. I don't want to get involved." I didn't tell anybody. The night before, I'm having dinner with Sam. I said, "Sam, you know, Kakayan, my my father, that was his Yiddish, right?" I said, "I'm telling everyone." And I got up there and I introduced him. I said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I met 10 heroes and I'm going to introduce you who they are." They gave me a standing ovation. And 75 people get up, gave him standing ovation. And the non-Jews came over and said, "We want to call our band Cella Rock." You know, the Jews said to me, "If I don't play another note, I got my money's worth." So, um, I went around and it was such amazing reception. I went around to the rehearsal rooms. I usually go the last day and I say, "Thank you for coming to camp." I said, "This time I turn went the first first hour was there and I said I went into a room with a band." I said, "Do you use ways?" "Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Do you use WhatsApp?" "Yeah, yeah, yeah." I said, "Do you know that comes from Israel?" "No." I said, "Yeah, it does. It comes from Israel." And I said, "So many other apps." And these Israelis are normal. They they just love rock and roll, too. And these people said, "Now, unless you live in Florida, unless you live in New York, Chicago, LA, you don't meet Israelis. They see what the media says." And and I said, "Thank you for giving them a reception." And it became a love affair. >> What about the musicians, the the rock and roll star? >> So then what happened was I went to the um the first day a musician's playing with them and Tommy um he's in the band Van Halen and also Cinderella and and Whit Snake. And I said to him, Tommy, you just played a set with these, you know, these all from Israel. I said, you see the picture of that guy's on the amp? That's his father, Leo Rudolph, and his father's currently a hostage. We didn't know that he was killed on the seven. And he's playing cuz you're his favorite drummer. And then the musicians, the Israelis gave them the dog tags, they hugged, and each day you see in the film, they meet another rocker who didn't even know they're from Israel. And it became a love affair. So then I went to Kevin and I said, "Kevin, I can you help me?" You know, and he said, "I'll make this film, like I said." >> So you had people filming everything. >> Okay. So after I went into the room the first time, I I saw the um the reception that these people gave us, I called Gil Goldshine. Now Gil Goldshine's another room guy who produced the Kardashians for 20 years. Did you know that? No. >> He produced He went to YU. >> I'm proud to say I never saw a minute of the Kardashian. >> I know you didn't, but he said he produced Gil Gold. I said, "Get me a film crew." We got a film crew. We filmed the whole thing and I went back to Israel for the year and I tell the story and the film's remarkable. It's really great. >> Did any of the musicians suffer now when it comes out? Are people going to be protesting them? Oh, these guys were playing for Israelis. Like, you know, are they worried about it? >> No. Oh, you know what? I didn't tell them. >> No, but now it's going to come out. >> I know. I know. It's one of the concerns. I think uh I told >> So, the rock and rollers never knew. >> They never knew. >> So, when you said exchange of dog tags, didn't they realize it was an Israel? >> Well, afterwards they knew it. They >> so Oh, but during the process they >> during the process they didn't know. >> So now the only way someone could publicly find out is when this film comes in, >> right? So the big star um he he texted Long Live Israel and right after he did it and he posted it. He got 500,000 likes. Slash is in the film. So So I went to Slash, the great Guns and Roses guitar player. I asked him if he would come jam with these Israelis privately. I asked Paul Stanley from Kiss. So Slash wrote sent me a video. Paul Stanley's Jewish, right? >> Paul Stanley's Jewish slashnot Jewish, but his name is Saul Hudson. He sent me a video from backstage at the Academy Awards. He said, "David, I can't be there, but play this video for them." And it's an amazing video. He and it's in the film. He says, "I realize you're coming from Israel. I love Israel. You're going to be playing the whiskey. You're going to be playing the the the what? The whiskey in and the Viper room, the famous Viper room. And David Fischov is going to take great care of you." It was the most beautiful video. So when they saw that slash, when they saw the love that these rockers gave them and they changed their lives and they're all doing great now >> and the film will show all of this. >> The film shows it all. >> Are you worried about protests at this thing? >> I'm not worried about protests. I'm probably worried that like my son-in-law said, you probably won't have a business after this because these rock stars aren't going to want to do your camp. I don't care. I've been doing this 30 years. It's all in Hashem's hands anyways. So, um, and camp is doing great now. But, you know, I'm not scared. I I've been showing it to at camps. People are blown away by it. They can't believe I, you know, that we did this. Um, but what's amazing is these musicians, these 10 musicians, how they're doing great now. And [laughter] they're so happy. Yeah. And they've been blessed. >> They've been blessed and they're writing songs. And songs is a way to again to find healing. And they've all healed. They're all doing well. their families and you really see their stories and they've gotten from her and it's really beautiful, >> amazing. Um, a week from tonight, you're all invited. A week from tonight, the bridge, the bridge is the name of it. When tragedy strikes, play louder. Monday night, December the 8th, starting at 7:30, the Westside Institutional Synagogue, 12 West 76th Street on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Uh if you mention the name Nam Seagull or anything that closely resembles that uh you'll be um you'll be you'll be uh let in for free. >> Let in for free. I want it's really important for people to see this film. Now it's a sneak preview so there's no reviewers. That's why you know I'm no reviewers. It's going to we're hoping to play the major film festival so you can >> um South by Southwest and Toronto. >> South by a natural right. >> Right. Exactly. So that we're just waiting for that every day. I'm waiting for get the approval. I didn't get into Sundance as anti-semmites, but you know. >> Yeah. Sundance. Yeah. >> Yeah. Sundance one. But >> very waspy group. Right. >> Right. But South by Southwest is music. >> Isn't [clears throat] it amazing? These are all my years at FMU because I I know this whole circuit. >> Yeah. So, so all these all the Jewish festivals, Miami, Toronto, San Diego, St. Louis, they've all asked to see, you know, they want to show the film, but I want to wait because if I can get acknowledged at South by Southwest, then I'll play all the Jewish film festivals and then I'll go on Netflix and everything. So, this is sneak. >> I don't know if you can get Dai Nero to put it in the New York City one, but >> I'm hoping I'm hoping. But if I get one, I just need one. So, Tribeca would be great. Uh, you know, the con. So, um, but I think it's it's a great film. I think people should see it. And really, I wanted to two things. I wanted to play the college campuses >> and number two, I want the non-Jews to see that these Israelis are normal. They just love rock and roll like you. And if what they see someone like Slash who's got 30 billion followers and and Kiss and they see these people are playing with these Israelis, it will counterattack people like Paul, you know, like Roger Waters. >> I was going to say, what do we do about Roger Waters? Do you know him at all? >> No, I don't know him. I mean, I don't know. I I've met him. Um, but they had a great organization called CCP run by David Renzer who focuses all day on promoting Jews for, you know, and for rock and roll. and he got him thrown out at BMG and um yeah, he's angry. He's an angry guy. >> Meaning the rock group BMG, the music group. >> Yeah, the music his publishing. They threw him out because of what he's done. And David Renza single-handedly he went and he um he protested it and he he he said, "You can't have this guy on a label. It's really bad." >> There's nobody as high profile as him that that's like that, right? He's the meaning Roger Waters is the >> he's the worst, but he's >> he's the worst and he's in an exclusive group, right? >> Well, not not anymore. No, you know, >> give me a couple other names that that that >> Mel is from who? Which brand is that? >> Rage Against the Machine also. >> Yeah, you have a lot of them. >> Oh, I've seen videos of um >> You have a lot of them. It's terrible. It really is terrible that that a lot of these people and what's crazy is they're so uneducated. They're so uneducated as these college students are. So, I felt that I had to do something and I think music is the way that >> you know I wasn't around during the Holocaust time. we feel as a child of the Holocaust, what could we do? I took what I can do to help. >> No, I know one thing you could do and you're doing it. You're getting to Israel as soon as possible. >> Absolutely. >> And I'm not saying that out of fear. I'm just simp I even before October 7th, I would always preach here to the future of the Jewish people in the state of Israel. At least you get that at the future of the Jewish people in the state of Israel. >> Totally. It's safer. And I'll tell you the opportunity. >> Yeah. Again, [clears throat] not just a safety issue. It's the future of everything that we belong there. >> And today I could you can work online. >> Correct. And I think the greatest year is I went to yeshiva every morning. I went to Dar Dakota went to yeshiva every morning like a kid which I didn't get to do in my year. You know when I graduated from I don't know I could I didn't do it and uh my father said you can learn to America he could afford to send me to Israel and there wasn't a program like they are today you know so I'm really enjoying that. >> I I think my grandmother was also quoted with the old uh you could do the same amount of learning here. >> Right. Right. Right. That whole routine >> that was >> I I've changed a bit over the years on that whole thing. But >> yeah, me too. Totally. >> Um Bonjovi, is he all right or not? >> He's great. >> Are you a friend of his or >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He's great and you know he's very close with Bellich and they you know together and >> Oh, really? Yeah. That's interesting. >> Yeah. Yeah. Bellichic um Bonjovi. Yeah. They they got friends up in Boston and everything like Bonjovi is great for Israel. Yeah. He's been great. Um you know, but a lot of stars are >> about Hoodi. Is he good? >> I don't know. But I don't know anything about what Hood who's doing. It's country music for me. But >> I I tell you what, >> Darius Rucker. >> Darius Rucker. The problem is that they should just shut up and say nothing. >> Yeah. But we always say that about those who are negative. We wouldn't say it about those who are positive, >> right? I [laughter] mean, it's really bad that they, you know, they're afraid of their fans. But I tell you one guy that I'm doing a camp next week with his entire band, Billy Joel. Billy Joel, if you watch >> his current band, >> his current band. >> You can't you can't get his old drummer there. >> I got Liberty. >> What? >> Liberty's coming. Does Billy know? >> Yeah, they're very good friends now. >> What? >> Yeah, they >> Has he been on stage with him recently? >> No, they haven't been on stage, but Liberty um Billy wrote the introduction to Liberty's book. Liberty is so funny. So, he came to >> You know, Liberty did a Jewish music concert once. >> No. >> Shia Menlowitz had him. Oh gosh, I wish I could remember what night it was. Great drummer. >> Oh, Liberty's amazing. So, so my secretary said to me when she came to work for me years ago, she said, "I'm going to marry a rockstar. I'm going to marry a rockstar." and she wanted to marry Ringo's son. In the end, she married Liberty. They met at him by Rock Camp and they've had a baby. Yeah. They've had they got married. >> And I'm wrong. I'm wrong. Shia did not hire Liberty. He wanted to. He ended up getting Elton John's drummer, who I'm sure you know. The one with the crazy antics, you know, with the drumsticks. I forgot his name. >> But that's who was there that night. >> So, I'm doing a camp next week in Miami with Liberty, the lead singer. Billy's going to be there. No, Billy's not gonna be there. His band's going to be there. But what I wanted to get to the point was if you watched the Billy Joel documentary years ago, um I went to Billy Joel's house for uh one Sunday night. He invited me and Lupinella to come to his house and um his friend his agent Dennis and I got close and he tells he tells Billy, he says, "You know, David Fesv Lupinella um and I are friends." And Billy says, "Invite them to my house for dinner." So, I call up Lou and I said, "Lou, Billy Joel wants to invite us to his house for dinner." He said, "All right, tell 1,500 bucks." I said, "Lou, it's he thought it was an appearance." [laughter] I said, "Lou, it's Billy Joel." A fish, a friend of yours, I'll do it for 1,000 bucks, you know. And it turned out Bobby Mercer was next to him in the house and Thurman Mun's wife was in the house, too. It's right when Thurman died. And um Billy and Bobby Mercer says, "I'll go for a free record. Let's go." So after a Sunday night game, we piled into a limo and it was me and Lou, our wives, and Bobby Mercer and and we took Thurman's widow, >> Diana. >> Diana, and we went to Billy Joel's house, and um we were invited there. And um they were very nice. I mean, they even got me a kosher meal. That that that was so so sweet, you know, Elizabeth, his his wife. And we're sitting there at the table, but before we got in there, the wives had those little cameras. is they want to take a picture. >> Disposable cameras. >> Disposable cameras. And Luc no, put those cameras away. You know, all of a sudden now he knows who Billy Joel is, you know, we can't be a big shot here. Okay. So, everyone puts away their cameras. We get out. We get to Billy Joel's house. We get out of the car and uh Billy says, "Luke, can I take a picture?" [laughter] And it was so funny. And he starts he starts fawning over Lou and Bobby Mercer like a little kid. And >> he was a big Yankee. He's a big >> He's a huge Yankee. And then he came to the meal and he said, "Look, I I made this the salad dressing for you." And it was he was like a little kid. I saw Billy like a little kid. The middle of the dinner Lou turns to Billy says, "Uh, Billy, you you bet NFL games." [laughter] And he says, "You know, we got five on the game tonight." So Billy says, "I'll be I'll I'll be in for five." He said, "There it was 5,000 at the time in the [laughter] Mercer." I like that. >> And he was like a little kid, but we spent all night >> and he played we went down to his music room and he played for 4 hours every song in the song books except his music. He never played his music. >> Wow. >> And we were singing and dancing. It was a night and it's been in books and and Billy's talked about the night that Luke came to his house for dinner. And so >> is it in the documentary or not? >> It's no. So what's in the documentary is I stood to him and I said, "Are you Jewish?" You know, you're Joel, you know. And he said, "Yes." He says, "My father was Jewish." And and he started talking about the Holocaust and and then never a word. I never heard a word until he did the show at Madison Square Garden. And he wore the yellow star. And then in the documentary on HBO, >> he dedicates about 20 minutes in, it's a 5-hour documentary about his Jewish background, how his family was was owned factories, and it's so Jewish. It is so great to see Billy Joel talking about Judaism. >> Unbelievable. >> Yeah. You know what's amazing about you? Every time I see you, I don't hear repeated stories. You always have new stuff. It's unbelievable. >> Well, the students, that's why my students are why you love it. >> 100%. >> I keep writing out new idea. I got to share this with them. I got to share that with them. >> You've had quite a career. >> Ah, it's been fun. But this is, can I tell you something? I saved the movie. This is the most exciting thing I've ever done because of what it's about. I think the movie is just it's amazing. And to have someone like Kevin Bright, you know, also came out, you know, don't forget he's got a huge career. This, you know, Friends is bigger now than it's ever been. Israel has popups in they have their restaurants popping up in Jerusalem and in Tel Aviv, um, in Las Vegas. The show is on constantly and it's held out as long like Seinfeld, it's held out huge. And Kevin just felt also a need to want to do something. That's what's happening in the Hollywood community. People want to do what do you do after Jerry himself >> Jerry was amazing. >> People but I find that when I go to all these events in California, people want to know what can I do? What can I do? What can I do? And Kevin did it and he really he made a great film and I really want everyone to come see it and please they can bring their friends. We got a lot of seats there at the Westside Institutional on Monday night and just mention Nakamagel and I promise you you will get a great seat. Uh, Monday night, a week from tonight, starting at 7:30, at the Westside Institutional Synagogue, 120 West 76th Street in New York. Again, save on the admission price simply by mentioning the name Nakam Seagull. It's called The Bridge. When tragedy strikes, play louder, done by David Fishoff and Kevin Bright. Again, the event will be followed by Q&A with both David and with Sam Grunberg, world chairman of Karen Hayes. It's all happening Monday night, December 8th, starting at 7:30 at the Westside Institutional Synagogue on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. And a shout out to Elana and Daniel Loey as well. >> Yes. Yeah. The Loey family has been amazing. They've helped us a lot. >> David. Yeah. >> Always a delight. >> Yeah. Really? 43 years. Wow. >> Always a delight. I'm going to sign this book for you. >> I cannot believe I haven't gotten it to you yet. It's always >> I'm going to read it. No, you know what happens. So, you write a book. >> I know. But when you're in it, >> right? >> When you're in it, I got to send it to you. Come on. >> Absolutely. [snorts] >> Uh, [clears throat] can you imagine you're a Jewish hero? What would what would Kazin dad say about that? That you're known as a Jewish hero. >> Well, how about I think it's better as my mother say knowing that I'm teaching at YU, professor, >> you talking about [laughter] David? Are you talking about David? >> Cuz we fought for years about education. She was right, you know. >> So, >> she was right. But but but you were also right. >> Right. >> Right. Exactly. Well, you know, I got >> Let's not minimize the fact that you've made it in a really tough industry. >> Yeah. 20 years old, I was I got Elliot Maddox as a client. So, you know what was going to do, >> right? You [laughter] you made sure to represent all the Jewish heroes, including Elliot Maddox. Yes. >> Many many may recall converted to Judaism. >> Yes. Well, >> you you had nothing to do with that, did you? >> No. He was interested before and I went to interview I was writing for the Jewish press and I went to interview Ron Bloomberg, right? >> And who's still alive and the first in touch with him? >> Yeah. Oh, he's amazing guy. and uh and I wanted to book him for an appearance and I was staying at Camp Dola and uh Irv Bader had a camp and Irv Bader said to me I'll I you know get me a ball player. So uh I got him uh Elliot Maddox I asked Ron Bloomberg and Bloomberg said to me he says I can't I'm rehabbing but Elliot Maddox he's injured for the season. remember he >> right that he he he got hurt on the drain in Shay Stadium, >> right? So he was we had >> terrible. I know all this stuff. >> Yeah. Yeah. So him and I drove up to the mountains to do the appearance at Irv Bader's camp. Um and that's when I turned to him. I was 20 years old. I said, "Why don't we open an agency and represent ball players and then he introduced me to Lupinelloo." >> And you were you were responsible for one of the greatest nights of my life. >> Which one? >> Which of course, you know, my rabbis will be very upset to hear me refer to it in that way. Um, I had told you that in 1975 we walked into Sha Stadium on bat day. My brother and I were both little kids. We walk in. In those days, bat day, all the bats were signed by different players, >> right? >> So, you know who you were going to get. And the kids in front of us got a terrible bat. Like, you know, one of the players who nobody wanted. >> Then they opened up a new box and my brother and I step up. Bill, both of us got Bobby Bond's bats. It was 1975, the one year Bobby Bonds was the Yankees. >> Fast forward God knows how many years later, David Fishoff invites me to the Baseball Writers Association dinner where Barry Bonds is being presented with his first MVP award. And who am I sitting next to? >> Bobby Bonds. >> Oh wow. >> And I tell him the story and it was great. You know how some players they tell a story and they blow off a little kid, you know, like you know they have no interest in this >> and or get lost rather I should say. >> And in this case he was so appreciative to hear how amazing the story was. It was great. I was at the table with him with George Foster, >> right? >> You of course >> and who else was at that table? There was a third ball player at the table. I don't remember who it was. Uh but anyway, it was a great night and I got an opportunity to tell him when I told Mercer of Blessed Memory because Bobby Mercer is no longer with us. When I told him that I was in the stadium in 1972 when he hit his 100th career home run, I thought he'd be like, you know, singing and dancing like, "Oh, a guy came." Oh, really? Thanks. Goodbye. Like, yeah, [laughter] it is. But who could blame him, you know? >> Yeah, exactly. >> Who could blame? Like >> Bobby was a good guy. Him. >> A very good guy. >> Good guy. Him. I'm in touch with his wife to this day. Yeah. We're on Facebook friends and I hear back and forth from her and she keeps up his memory. She keeps up his >> Yeah. This is not a tight on him. It was a tight on me thinking that that was such a big deal for him. You know what I'm saying? >> Right. Right. Right. >> Thank you, David. >> Oh, wow. Nam see, thank you so much. And I hope they all come see the film. >> Westside Institutional Synagogue a week from tonight. Everybody make sure to go. More coming up. If you'll see the jam at the