This is the secondary account of Rich Thompson (CSXno601). This channel will feature all of my non-railroad content, mainly personal vlogs and (more importantly) footage of the greatest animatronic band in history: The Rock-afire Explosion. I have made a goal of preserving as much of the Rock-afire as I can on photo/video, and I want to share it all with you here. Stay tuned for uploads, as I expect much more to come! Enjoy!
Man I’d love to see the rock afire explosion at least once in my lifetime but this place is 11 hours from me and I can’t justify the trip. I’m jealous of those who live closer to this location
I was billy bob for the live performance! It was my first time ever in a mascot costume and I had about 7 hours of practice😅 they weren’t gonna do the show originally but I agreed to help! Lots of fun! Good video I’m also the person writing teen angel at the beginning and I was doing a lot of dancing with my pal Juju who played Mitzi.
@Aoife_777 I think you did great in the dance contest! I was really happy when it happened, because I had been looking forward to seeing the walk-arounds in action lol. Juju did really good as Mitzi, too! I appreciate the compliments on the video! I tried to include as many scenes of the crowd and fans as I could, and I'm happy I'm getting to know who some of you are on here now! I hope to see everyone again at Billy Con 5!
@theycallyoucrybabycrybaby4778 Absolutely! I know these are long videos, so it is needed! I should probably go back and add them to my older videos, too. Thanks!
It's amazing that some shows were recovered! For example at 1:32:13 they only played "My Gal Is Red Hot" a while ago, but they now added back the first song. Also like the Dance Contest section with the Live Rockafire Explosion. If I have a chance, I'm looking forward to coming to the next BillyCon and meeting some fans!
@CM_Clock1010 I remember when they used to just play "My Gal Is Red Hot" without "Get Ready." I'm glad they added "Get Ready," because that's a good Beach Bear performance. Agreed entirely about Con next year!
Day 2 was easily my favorite, I made so many friends! We had such a good time listening to the new audio which I know own in high quality! Me and My friend Ricky also had a good time, we danced, hung out, I love spending time with the community.
Yeah, I really liked the second day as well! The unveiling of those never before heard shows was legendary! I was really hyped lol. I hope I can get Dook performing "Sweet Soulful Music" again sometime.
@CM_Clock1010 I was particularly impressed with Dook's movements, too. It might be the best I've ever seen him! As for the masks, it was Fatz, Billy Bob, Beach Bear, and Rolfe that got new masks (maybe Looney Bird later in the event, too). I am happy to see it, though I think the Billy Bob and Rolfe masks are only being borrowed at the moment.
Hi thanks for sharing this with us hopefully one day I can go there and see The Rockafire Explosion in Person again like I did when I was very young haven't seen them in long time 👍🙂💜
@@Rockafire1993 awe if you saw The Rockafire Explosion 💥 back in the 80's you definitely would had a blast at least you can see them at BBWL . I live in Florida close to Jacksonville. I'm 40 yrs old my Parents back in the day took me and my brother in the late 80's to Showbiz Pizza Place in Jacksonville FL that's how I fell in love with animatronics and now I work at Chuck E Cheese there in same location. Been there 2 years now 🙂💜
@@danielwhiteside6876 I am 31, born in 1993, so I just missed Showbiz. I do consider myself lucky to live only 4 hours from these guys, and I plan to visit as much as I can (until I can't anymore)! I also want to visit the 'new' show in Volo, IL, too. Thanks for watching! I have two more of these videos coming soon!
@@Rockafire1993 your 31 that's cool at least you live 4 hours away from them you can always go to BBWL anytime you like 👍🙂💜 Your very welcome you got more videos coming can't wait to watch it 😊
I had so much fun hanging out! It was wonderful watching them perform and meeting all my friends. I also got to play as Billy Bob, overall a fun and amazing time. I was a bit worried that a few people I didn't like were going to show up, but I am so thankful they didn't. But overall it was an amazing time!
@@showb1zlov3r Yeah, it was a really fun time! Everyone was chill, and all the shows were unique or rare! I look forward to next year, if there's another Con.
@@tomstertomfoolery I'd really like to visit other Rock-afire shows someday, too. Next, I want to hit Volo. If it's ever in the budget, I'd definitely like to visit Gulliver's and some of the shows in other countries.
They are doing a great job! This is the best condition I have seen this show since they started working on it after 2019 when it was falling apart after 40 years.
your camera is perfect, it shows the true sheer size of them. also couldn't help but over hear a few bearings need some attention, good old w-40 will do the trick just nicely!
That’s my art at 1:41 !!!!! Nice video I really enjoy these long videos of BBWL you also got some really good shows! Nice to see my art in your video :)
Thank you, and I'm glad I could include your art! I've noticed a lot more artwork has been featured on stage lately, as well as hung on the surrounding walls and in the kitchen. Lots of good stuff!
I kinda miss the Donahue era of this place, like 2014-2015.. when the show’s setup was traditional and not tampered with/trampled by the fandom. I mean the art is cool and everything but there should be a dedicated space for all the stuffies and art, rather than having it pollute the show area
And why did Rex jr decide to paint the showroom gray? It looked just fine with the nice bright blue. But this is all my opinion and it’s just a mood point, not my place
Not sure on the decision to paint the showroom walls gray, but I'd honestly be in favor of making it into its own actual showroom again. Not only would that cut back on ambient noise and allow for better listening, but it would bring back that Showbiz feel. That is a lot of architectural work, so I understand why it's not exactly an easy thing to do, but I still think it'd be cool to see sometime. Being up close and personal in a smaller room, lights out, would be awesome! As for the artwork, I think it comes down to which tech is maintaining the stage at the time. I'm not entirely sure who the actual dedicated tech is nowadays, but I definitely noticed some personal touches to the stage.
Dook and Fatz are looking a bit rough here, but it's still amazing how far the show's condition has come compared to 4-5 years ago when they weren't even half-assing the maintenance on them!
I know the main issue with Fatz is that a pin broke inside of him that won't allow him to stand up straight, so for now, he's stuck in a slouched-forward position. I'm hoping they're able to get that fixed soon. As for Dook, his mask is really starting to look rough. It's a shame because despite being a bootleg, I kinda liked the looks of this one. I'm hoping they're able to acquire a new mask for him (as well as Billy Bob and Rolfe) in the next few months.
Another nice compilation! I noticed some new changes like Earl's new hat, fatz's neck fixed, and new fan art on stages. I wasn't expecting your visit to be less busy, because usually they are on Saturdays. I hope I'm able to come during your next visit! I can probably invite a few Rock afire fans if you want.
I'll definitely make sure next time isn't as last second. This trip was just kinda on-the-go, as mentioned. I was pretty surprised by how quiet BBWL was for a weekend, too, but there were a couple parties throughout the evening. Sounds good on the rest! I look forward to meeting others!
@@Rockafire1993 Ok. I'll let you decide what date you are going next, so I can let my friends know. I'm mostly available on weekends, or sometimes on Fridays.
@Rockafire1030 I'll definitely let you know when I decide on my next trip. If I don't make it again before the Con, then I at least plan to be at that. And, I'd imagine I'll visit another time or two after that in the late summer and fall. Those showtapes are definitely okay by me. I need a lot more of the Trivia Night tape, and I've hardly gotten any of the '83 Beatles White Album tape. Having gotten "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" this time around, I now have everything from the '84 Magic Night tape. I love it, but I definitely want to switch it up a bit!
The condition of the show is begining to go down once again.. Dook and Mitzi look ok, (They have a few broken movements but nothing too bad.) Fatz looks REALLY bad, I think alot of the flows need to be adjusted.
I'm hoping they all get new masks soon. I wasn't able to inquire about that with anyone, but I still hope it happens at some point. Dook really needs a new mask, and I'm noticing holes on Rolfe and Billy Bob's masks as well.
@RetroPizzaFan I take it the compressor issue is the reason why Beach Bear never seems as animated as he should? Or, why Dook isn't drumming as lively as he should be? I'd love to see them rocking out at full capacity sometime. I wish I truly could help in the process!
Yeah, I made sure to get this up as quick as I could! Some "Magic Night" repeats, but I'm hoping it's just a taste of things to come this year! Some new good ones in the mix as well!
