We need to make a petition on change.org for Showbiz Pizza to make the comeback it's always deserved. Who knows! Maybe Aaron Fechter can make an updated Rock-afire Explosion with newer technology and stuff.
Man, I remember taking care of, maintaining and running the Rockafire Explosion band when I was 16 (1996) at a Funstation here in my NY town. I fell in love with animatronic singing animals when I was smaller in Disney's Tiki room. The reason I took the job at the funstation was because they asked if I knew how to make the Rockafire Band work. I said I will figure it out! When I saw what had happened to the set, I knew it needed some TLC and a creative mind to make work. I certainly accomplished making the whole band sing and dance for quite a long time. That year and a half of my life, seeing those little kids enjoy the characters really shaped my love for creating and being artistic. I never knew the man who created it all, nor his story. Thank you so much for posting
Not their fault, someone said no more shows, and if he wanted to save the things he had to give the characters away and Chuck E. Cheese was always a separate company, but until it happened.
im a fnaf fan but i like fnaf for a different reason it does have a similar feeling to the rocka fire if you know the full story to fnaf . fnaf haters should shut up its tearing me up really. its more to do with the story then jump scares people dont know what they saying. its poor when they say. oh its just jumps scare NO ITS NOT ITS SOOOOOOO MUCH MORE . sorry i went to far i came here because of nostalgia and even tho i never grow up at show biz in the 80s but i wish i did . but its a good thing we have a Documentary . thats what matters
I grew up with Chuck E. Cheese, but I'm finally learning about Billy Bob and it feels more personal. I think despite not being in the spotlight anymore, it was best that Rock-afire Explosion left Showbiz Pizza Place. They would have changed Billy Bob and made him a hollow shell of what he was.
The ending was heartbreaking. He just can't let the warehouse go no matter what. In a way he is hoarding his past. And you know what. It's ok because he LOVES and I mean LOVES what he does.
@@BeastlyCoop That's not what I read. Some people have looked up local Florida records and he's been sued for not paying his debts a few times. He probably sold it because he needed the money.
It was a very rare treat to go see this show in the 80s. With a single mother struggling to get Bill's paid and food in our belly's , she still took me here for a great time and memories. Thank you mom.
Showbiz outsold Chuck E. Cheese, those asshole's tried to screw Fechter over, but he has fan's and even his factory and animatronics appeared in Keanu.
I'd kinda like to see a "where they are now" update documentary on these guys. Especially in the wake of the FNaF craze - I wonder if this guy has tried marketing to haunted houses.
Chris Thrash tried to open his own Showbiz, went bust, lost his house, and had to sell his Rockafire set. Sad to see him so happy about regaining his childhood and then hearing he lost it.
Aaron Fechter's show is still in his Warehouse and still works good and Aaron makes videos on his CZcams channel therockafire. But we haven't heard from Chris thrash in years. All we know is that he had a show at one point, try to open a pizza place which was a horrible idea, went out of business lost all his money, lost his house, and had to sell his rockafire explosion set.but there is a lot of other people that have rockafire shows, like at Smitty's super service station in Mississippi, and Goofy gas filling station in Indiana. So I would say that they're pretty alive right now except Aaron is just kind of unstable. Lol. That's basically where they are now. Oh and Chris thrashes set is kind of deteriorating in a theme park in Korea so that's kind of sad
Aaron Fechter went total looney tunes in the wake of the 2016 presidental election and alienated the fanbase to the point where Travis (a.k.a. the fansite guy in this) straight up disowned Aaron, and this film. Chris Thrash tried to open his own restaurant, failed, sold his show, tried buying another one and restoring it, went nuts and last I heard is off the radar.
I grew up knowing about Chuck E Cheese and had NO IDEA that there were different characters for Showbiz Pizza restaurants until around the time that the first FNAF game came out and everyone started talking so much about Showbiz... I only knew they were related, but I initially figured they were pretty much the same thing (similar to Burger King and Hungry Jack's). Now that I've been enlightened, I can't believe the "top brass" at Chuck E Cheese were so stingy as to not even offer to BUY the rights to the Rock-afire Explosion characters and just thought that they would be able to get the use of the characters and their copyright/trademarks for NOTHING. The way corporations tend to behave is downright disgusting. Also, I know there will be tons of people making mean comments about the very devoted fans in this documentary, but just imagine if your (I'm guessing single) parent decided to leave you alone at a pizza restaurant for hours MULTIPLE TIMES as a child... I think that would be enough to have you create a rather strong attachment to some fictional characters. The only thing is that I can't defend the fact that a man in his 30's exclusively drinks (2 liters or more of) Mountain Dew (and seemingly gets the rest of his nutrition from Marlboro cigarettes and, I would imagine, pizza that's YEARS old)... but maybe I just haven't spent enough time in the (obviously not Atlanta-area) South! How is he not constantly severely dehydrated?
"just imagine if your (I'm guessing single) parent decided to leave you alone at a pizza restaurant for hours MULTIPLE TIMES as a child... I think that would be enough to have you create a rather strong attachment to some fictional characters." Wow. That actually makes a TON of sense. I had always struggled to understand why anybody liked (much less LOVED) those hideous clanking Island of Dr. Moreau-looking freaks. But now that you mention it... there WERE kids I knew whose mothers used Chuck E. Cheese as a kind of cheap babysitter while they ran errands or worked a half shift. You'd never get away with that shit now, but that was common back in the 80s.
Sad postscript: Chris Thrash opened his own Showbiz Pizza featuring his Rockafire set, but went out of business after two years.....he lost his house and had to sell his Rockafire set back to Fechter.
@@tammygouletschrader8785 it’s now in Wolmi theme park in korea, practically playing themselves into the ground. The more recent the videos of it, the worse the condition gets. The whole Rock-afire story is so amazing yet so sad.
@@pcdave1783 Well, the whole Rockafire brand has basically been dead since the 80's. Fechter always wanted someone to put money behind it and make cartoons and movies and rides and the like, but it's never happened. I went to Showbiz often as a kid in the 80's but I was never into the RAE because the music was turned up too loud and it was hard to talk, so I ate my pizza and then took off for the arcade.
He took a radio apart at age 4. He put it back together at age 5. He started a TV repair business at age 11 (but quit because he couldn’t lift the sets). Need any more proof?
Ooof, this was extremely depressing to watch. Showbiz Pizza was a giant staple throughout most of my childhood. My parents used to take me there for dinner EVERY Friday night from right around age 2 up until we moved away from that location when I was 12. In fact, my mother still cherishes a couple of videos she took of me dancing with the band on several different occasions. Apparently, I used to know every single song by heart and would actually walk up to other patrons I didn't even know and begin to point out & name each member of Rockafire Explosion while attempting to get them to get up and dance with me. (Lol!) It's incredibly unfortunate to see what ended up happening to Aaron and his ingenious project. Showbiz Pizza was certainly a one-of-a-kind venue, and I will always have very fond memories of this place. Thank you for everything you did to keep this going as long as you could, Aaron. I really wish it had turned out better for you - but just know that there's a large group of people out there who support you and greatly appreciate all of the effort you put into this! P.S. Chuck-E Cheese simply doesn't cut it. The staff, the food, the atmosphere - it's just not the same! And the very few times I've been in there... it pretty much just felt like a Showbiz rip-off.
1. Showbiz owns Chuck E. Cheese. 2. Chuck E. Cheese used to be the parents of pizza Showbiz (the original name of Showbiz) until they broke the contract and opened the first showbiz. Chuck E. Cheese will always be apart of showbiz
1:00:55 Is such a real moment. People may not have the best feelings abt this documentary or the people in it but we will all reach a point in our lives where we see places we once frequented become abandoned. They will erode away, they will age, but we will not recognize the time passing. It will all exist so vibrantly in our memory despite the lack of any activity for who knows how long. Not something I expected to hear from this documentary, but it is touching.
@@FormulaFanboyTravis schafer who is in this documentary has defended a pedophile in the community and doxxed/ harassed several minors as well as done other slimy no good things. Some of the fans formed the rockafire “mafia” and use some of Aaron’s copyrights and such without his blessing
Watching this in a post-FNAF world is so strange when everyone is talking about how animatronics don't interest kids anymore. I feel that a lot of people gained an interest in animatronics from those games despite its genre being horror. I feel like old fashioned animatronics at least have a larger very dedicated niche audience now compared to when this doc was made.
I hope they throw this guy a bone and and get him to make some Customs to promote any FNaF films, PR etc. he made a genre and it broke the poor guy. (although if he's not doing factory tours where everything is supposed to be shut down, but the tour guide gets pulled away to answer a call... then the lights flicker and half an animatronic opens the door he is missing a trick)
@@bethaltair812 Doubt it, Fechter's tech is pretty ancient compared to modern animatronics. He might have been cutting edge in 1980 but he hasn't kept up with advances.
@@bethaltair812 Fechter also didn't "invent a genre", animatronic musical acts have been around since the 60's. He also didn't invent Whack A Mole, but that's a different story.
OMG IF ANYOBE KBOWS HOW TO CONTACT AARON THAN THEY SHOULD TALK TO HIM ABOUT A PATREON PAGE TO GET THE ROCKAFIRE EXPLOSION THERE OWN PIZZA PLACE!!!!!!! THAT WOULD BE SO COOM IVE NEVER SEEN THEM IM TO YOUNG BUT WHEN I SAW THEM I WAS SO FASCINATED AND I WANT TO TRY AND MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THIS I WANNA KNOW MORE!!
Mikasa Ackermann as much as we’d all love that we can’t cause Chuck E. Cheese has the rights to the rockafire explosion Aaron doesn’t so it’s impossible
So the decision was to FORCE the INVENTOR of Rock-afire Explosion himself into giving others the total rights to do whatever they want to the show for not even a nickel or simply kill the original show itself and turn it into Chuck E. Cheese? That's..... That's just awful. I am never looking at CEC the same way again, or those people who did it.
It's kind of heartbreaking to think that children these days will never learn to appreciate the utter beauty and incredibility that was Rock Afire Explosion. Many people - including my own family - think I'm weird for loving these guys but I really don't care. I'm sixteen. I love Rock Afire Explosion. Deal with it.
Aaron: I talked with her on the phone and she just wouldn't talk!! Carrie: Only because you kept talking, i couldn't get a word in! Aaron: Not true!! *proceeds to talk over Carrie every single time she's about to say something*
Also doesn't it seem like she was like 14 and he just scooped her from Boston? I thought she was just a really strange paid actress but now I just really hope she was
@@charitystolarz4615she was working at chuck e. cheese in her early 20s and that’s when she was introduced to the rockafire… as explained in the doc itself… the girl who played Mitzi is a different person
I never went to Showbiz... by the time they changed to the Chuck E. skins, I was just starting to walk- but the Odyssey Fun World in Tinley Park, IL had RAE and I loved it. I have fond memories of both the Chuck E. Band and Rock-afire. Rock-afire is still, to my knowledge, stationed in that Odyssey Fun World... albeit in poor shape and hasn't been working for years, but it's there. I want to go back and see if anything's happened to them. Last I checked on them was two or three years ago. Animatronics have always been special to me, and it's thanks to shows like these! ❤️
Well, that was very emotional, the feelings they have, and the history it was very touching, I wish someone would bring them back to the spot light, give chuck e cheese there long deserved brake
I came back here to watch this again after the last CEC with a full stage was removed in my state. I do enjoy both the RAE and CEC, but since I grew up with with CEC, I prefer it more. Basically what's happening with 2.0 is like Concept Unification all over again, but the animatronics are being killed off completely this time. My childhood is gone and the wounds still haven't healed. But I look back at my many videos and photos of CEC and was glad that I decided to record the show that one night...
I'm sorry for all of the Rockifire explosion fans out their who lost that part of their childhood I'm just learning about the Rockifire explosion.I'm 11 yea rs old but this is way better than Chuck e cheese but I say to cherish those moments
Dude same here I had no idea they took the rock afire kid's childhood away and replaced them with less cool characters. In 2008 I first discovered the rock afire explosion, I thought they were cool and funny. But I do like one chucky cheese character, and that's the dog. But other than that I like rock afire explosion way better, their way funnier.
Thanks but don't pity us! Things were more creative then because there was no internet. We had to create unique things to amuse ourselves! The result was better music, cartoons, toys & movies. Now it's all about special effects & computer-generated everything. Prettier to look at, but no soul. =)
Heck, even growing up in the 00s I'll say that. Even compared to now and I was growing up using message boards, AIM, IRC, all that stuff that FNAF girl would probably go "what the heck is this guy even talking about" Still creative types out there but the kids growing up nowadays have to force them self into creative endeavors more than even my generation had to. Distractions are just a click or a tap away now. For us it was a bus ride away.
Rockafire and Showbiz Pizza were a part of many a childhood in the 80's, including mine. I used to love going to parties as a child and watching the animatronics.
God.. it’s so sad that newer generation grew out of animatronics.. I find them wonderful and mesmerizing, it’s almost as if a cartoon was brought into the real world.. something you can actually reach out and touch.. makes me wish I grew up in the 80s in a way.. I remember the old Chuck E. Cheese robot and found it pretty neat while others found him creepy.. I’m glad I’m not the only one who adores these old bots
As silly as this sounds, FNAF is probably the MAJOR reason why there are more and more children getting into the RAE. Even more so now seeing FNAF is getting a movie. So you can say Scott Cawthon is the hero who saved them as well as animatronic bands. And please, no hate, Scott is such a humble and inspiring guy with a witty mind.
+TheBlueEyedFox Yeah, I do believe Fnaf had a great impact on these guys. It's annoying when you see "OMFG DIS IZ FIVE NEGHTS AT FREDDEHS" But it's great when they get into it. You know? Younger people really love the rock afire and I think it's amazing. They may NEVER be as huge as they were again, But I would love to see the ShowBiz Fandom really grow and become really popular.
Kudos to Aaron for not selling his characters out to corporate. Nobody could've duplicated that charm and wit that RAE. And now they're getting rid of animatronics completely. So they would've gotten rid of the Chuck E. Cheese characters in favor of the rockafire explosion? Hard to believe
Anyone else notice that beach bear crosses his eyes when he talks and sings sometimes xD? I've noticed it quit a bit, I think it's hilarious xD. Beach bear is awesome.
Sheriece Sowells Yeah is a special function of beach bear he have that since the Wolfpack 5! band!!! and notice closely Duke larue also move he foot(feet) to make the cymbals up !.+.!.!.! And a thing i have seen in thosee days.... Is BIILY BOB AND BEACH BEAR they have the same arm movement
Yeah! It’s super awesome. It makes him look like he’s having a lot of fun. He and Looney Bird both have an eye mechanism that lets them cross their eyes like that.
I’m only 16 and I’ve been watching stuff with the band since when I was 15, makes me sad I never got to see this in person. It’s so cool and fascinating
Awwww when he said that he walked right up to Beach Bear and it took his breath away to be so close to them. So heartwarming in a way ❤ Beach Bear's my favorite.
The 80's seemed like such a good time, why did I have to be ten years too late?! I could rewatch this video every day and not get tired of it. It is amazing how everything in the warehouse was left the same, my dream would be to visit one day. So sad and beautiful! 💘
Ya I’m gonna start being honest I’d rather go back in time to see the rockafire explosion and warn past Aaron that Chuck E. Cheese is gonna take the rights for the rockafire explosion and help him stop them because Chuck E. Cheese characters don’t even lip sync all they do is sit there deactivated all day chuck d cheese doesn’t even try as hard as Aaron did and I respect that highly while Chuck E. Cheese doesn’t deserve anything for ruining millions of childhoods
90s was just as good as the 80s. 90s was basically a upgrade of he 80s it took everything a level higher and crossed lines. then 2000 came and everything went to shit basically. the only thing i hated about the 90s was there was more violence
Aaron seems like the most genuine and sweet guy! I'd really like to meet him. The world needs more ppl like him...driven, motivated....his passion is inspirational
Man, this really puts it all into context for me now. I found the Bubba Sparxx and Usher shows amazing years ago but never saw this documentary until today. I never realized the true scope of the Rockafire fandom. I have incredible respect for Alan for creating the show completely ground up, every aspect of the characters/figures from the molding of the facemasks, engineering the framework, pneumatics, computer control systems, and even providing original vocalizations. Truly an inventor.
I just showed this to my mom (63yrs old) she smiled like a child and said "I reeeeememmmmmber this from California!!) Now, last time she was in Cali was in 1978-79 when she left & brought me here to Michigan where I enjoyed this at showbiz pizza in the late 80's in Muskegon.
Oh! Be still my heart!!! All of this!!! All days!!! I'm an 80s/90s baby and I remember Showbiz like yesterday! Mitzi was my fav because she was the girl! I love all things 80s and if I could jump into this video I would. I miss the simplicity of my childhood and NO crazy technology! I saw TRAFE in the Key and Peele movie Keanu and I had a melt down, my husband had no idea what it was and I had to explain it to him. He didn't have money growing up so he didn't get to experience places like this. Which is unfortunate. Showbiz was part of my world! Showbiz Pizza Place, I wish y'all still existed and that I could just go in and stuff my face ( no salad! Pizza and soda only) and play games until my hands hurt! Without looking like a creeper of course! 😂awesome video! Miss y'all!
My sixth birthday was at Showbiz Pizza. I begged and begged my parents for months, and it was supposed to be a surprise but I knew it was going to happen. Part of the draw was Rock-afire Explosion, and sneaking behind the curtain with my friends. It was amazing and terrifying and awesome. I’ll never forget that night.
What a beautiful documentary! You really get a feel for how the Rockafire was a true heart & soul creation. Wonderful but sad to see the tour through the frozen in time warehouse where the characters were made and to see the old footage and the faces of the people behind the characters.
This is absolute greatness. I was born in 1980 in Austin, Tx and I was blessed to have a stay at home mom and a dad who did really well so I was at Showbiz alot. I absolutely loved it so much. I too snuck behind the curtain and had that moment and to hear someone else have that love and nostalgia just made my heart swell. I saw a guy on CZcams touring a "vintage chuck e cheese" this morning and I laughed and was like that's not vintage. Vintage is Showbiz and a bear not a mouse . Lately I've been so homesick for my childhood. I starting finding my old favorite toys and things that remind me of my childhood and I just treasure the videos on CZcams of old commercial collections and I've found my old favorite shows on CZcams like Belle and Sebastian and Pinwheel and Today's Special. I can't believe guys like y'all exist that have kept the 80s alive, kept our childhood magic alive. Thank you for this video 🥰
Thx guys for keeping this memory alive! I grew up in Chicago. 95th & kedzie was my showbiz experience. This is a story that needed to be told. U are appreciated...
ShowBiz Pizza Zone was a restaurant and arcade fashioned after ShowBiz Pizza Place that operated in Phenix City, Alabama. It was opened in 2008 by Chris Thrash, a Phenix City, Alabama car salesman. It featured an entire fully operational Rock-afire Explosion, which he funded with money he raised by working multiple part-time jobs. It also had arcade games. On May 30, 2010, Chris had to close down ShowBiz Pizza Zone. Chris later sold his show back to Aaron, who then sold it to a theme park in South Korea.
Showbiz was the pinnacle of arcade, animatronic, pizza places. And it all came down to atmosphere and how dark and smoky it was in there. Chucky Cheese was always SO BRIGHT inside! Like a flood of fluorescent light bulbs to the face. Hated that. Showbiz felt like another world, an exclusive joint that made you feel special to be there.
I've watched this many times over the last few years thanks to this upload. This is one of my all-time favourite films. It's so sweet and sentimental in its portrayal of the fans. It's honest and raw and it has a sense of humour about itself but it never feels mean-spirited. I often come back to it on bad days. Thanks to all involved.
I discovered the rock afire Explosion when I was 9 and in this past year I got a big obsession to them especially Rolf and beach bear I really love them
This documentary killed my feels. I wish these guys were around when I was a little kid, but instead I had CEC. It's such a shame the Rock Afire Explosion had to be replaced by them...
@@TherealRNOwwfpoohnot to sound rude, that doesn't change the fact that showbiz still came after chuck e and was essentially a ripoff. On a related note aaron is a POS who got what he deserved (just needed to get that out as far too many people are sympathizing with this psychopathic racist manipulative POS)
@@FreeSpiritPaulette No, he didn't. If he would've sold the RAE to Showbiz Pizza Time (the name of the merged company before rebranding back to Chuck E. Cheese following "Concept Unification" [as in, taking off the RAE cosmetics & putting face masks and costuming of the Pizza Time Players onto the 3 stage RAE mechs under the new moniker of Munch's Make Believe Band while also getting rid off all of the previous Showbiz branding]; Although, this only lasted until CEC corporate decided that the animatronics by themselves simply weren't pulling in the audiences in the wake of competition like Dave 'n Busters, so the chain greatly reduced the number of animatronics to just the standalone Chuck E. - formerly Rolfe De Wolfe - animatronic & apparently scrapped the rest of the physical band in order to install a background backsplash featuring multiple TVs simultaneously running the corresponding Show Tapes that still featured the walk around versions of the band acting goofy as cover versions of popular songs played in the background when the lone animatronic left on stage wasn't appearing to use the main physical TV in conjunction with the otherwise forgotten Uncle Klunk phone line prop disguised as a computer hookup to loosely interact with 2D animated versions of the other band members in a homage to Skype/FaceTime/Zoom & other social media tools, with this rather truncated version of the show being renamed to Studio C, until CEC management's been toying with the idea of just gutting the Show Room entirely in favor of installing a public dance floor & leaving only the walk around version of Chuck E. as the only indication of what once was due to the leftover animatronics being sold off or junked for spare parts]), no doubt the exact same thing would've eventually happened to the Rockafire Explosion without Aaron Fetcher's voice work (he voices Billy Bob Brockali [named after Bob Brock], Looney Bird, Fatz Geronimo [this is due to Burt "Sal" Wilson exiting the role due to mounting tensions growing over Burt Wilson accepting a job offer as a character actor on Saturday Night LIVE after feeling stiffed on payments for doing Fatz], and comedy relief duo Rolfe De Wolfe & his heckling Muppet-like partner Earl Schmerle) & creative input that ultimately befell Munch's Make Believe Band once it was converted to Studio C, only with another character supplanting the hipster rodent (perhaps Billy Bob's mech getting relocated to the left stage since Billy Bob was Showbiz's mascot or maybe the left stage & central stage getting their characters removed altogether whilst leaving Billy Bob along with Looney Bird on the far right stage where they were stationed when the 3 stage setup had been the full Rockafire Explosion band, although had Billy Bob replaced Chuck E. as the public face of the company, the actual company itself would've likely taken to being nationally referred to Billy Bob's instead of reverting back to the Chuck E. Cheese name, so either way, Showbiz Pizza Place & Pizza Time Theater would have become relics of the past, no matter which mascot became the public face of the company).
While this is a very wholesome documentary, I have the kinda feeling that Aaron is going insane. He is all alone in this huge trashed warehouse he's all alone and acting like everything is perfect. He just looks so lonely and acts like he's losing his mind
@@LKDAnimatronics Yea, what kind of person would potentially kill somebody over staining carpet (Yes, that actually happened. And there's a creepy asf video to prove it)
This documentary is one of the most beautiful things ever. I think i first watched it back in February of this year. Every time my Rock afire obsession gets kickstarted again, I rewatch it. I've liked the Rock afire for a year now, this documentary makes me cry like a baby every time. I saw the Hardluck Bears in Matlock back In August, and my mouth was open in awe and i was sobbing profusely, watching the show. The Rock afire makes me laugh, smile and even cry. This documentary encompasses that so well. " An eccentric portrait of childhood memories. " What could be more beautiful than that sentence alone?
I think one of the reasons that this generation (kids from the 80s and 90s) seem more likely than other generations to "obsess" over our nostalgia is because we're the first whose childhood is readily available to re-live through the internet. Think about our parents generation where it was even rare for TV networks to keep tapes of old shows and they were often taped over. All the lost media they will never see or re-live again and here we are able to access it at the press of a button.
I may have not been in the fandom that long but I feel like these characters have been in my life for as long as I've been around and I absolutely can't get enough Rock Afire! One of my greatest dreams is to go do volunteer work for Aaron with The Rock Afire Explosion, whether it be maintenance on mechanics in the characters or making new faces for characters and painting the facees and applying fur, dressing them up and what not. I'd really love to get involved. I wouldn't expect Aaron to pay me anything just as long as I can be around the band daily would be payment enough for me ♡♡♡
This is a wonderful, beautiful film. I loved it! Grew up in Troy, Alabama, and going to Showbiz in Montgomery was the height of existence. I loved learning about the history of Showbiz and RAFE and love the personalities in the film.
I grew up with these guys post project-unification, and while the Rockafire characters don't mean as much to me as many of the fans, the inner workings created by Aaron and his old team, do. At the heart and core of what I saw when I went to Chuck E Cheese, was this gang, and for that I am eternally grateful.
XxLittleDudeGamerxX I agree!! You should look up showbiz pizza concept unification Chuck E. Cheese if you haven't seen it already! It is amazing and sooooo depressing! 💘
What a great and touching documentary. I’ve never seen Rock a fire or Chuck e Cheese as it’s not my generation. It was Disney’s Country Bear Jamboree that got me started. I was blown away when I saw it as a kid in 1970. Because of that, I’ve been in the animatronic business and I really relate to the things Aaron says. Another thing about this movie is the focus on the personal lives and the passion of the people. Again, very touching to me on so many levels.
I had my 10th birthday party at Showbiz. We went nuts. One of my buddies jumped on the roof of the helicopter ride while I was riding it and the whole thing fell over and cracked the fiberglass shell. Surprisingly they just told us to stay off the rides for the rest of the party.😩
I’d love to see a documentary like this about Chuck E. Cheese’s, especially since they’re slowly starting to take away their animatronics. I’m 18 so I grew up with CEC and MMBB rather than SPP and the RAE, and so I have a great fondness for CEC. I attach a lot of nostalgia and childhood memories to it. It’s such a shame that they’re giving up on the animatronics, and I honestly wouldn’t be too surprised to see CEC have a similar fate to Showbiz within the next 10 or so years. I do feel sad for those who grew up with Showbiz Pizza and the Rockafire Explosion, I know it must absolutely suck to see such a huge part of your childhood ripped away from you. I hope Chuck E. Cheese doesn’t face a similar fate. But this was a very interesting documentary, I love learning more about the history of Showbiz Pizza Place and the Rockafire Explosion as well as Chuck E. Cheese.
@@ragegamer4302 It's just reality. He tried to open his own Showbiz, got into serious debt, lost his house, had to sell his Rockafire set back to Fechter, and wound up addicted to drugs.
Awesome! It is Really Amazing how this whole history went. You Know, when you think about it, if Chuck E. Cheese and Showbiz Pizza never merged, neither of them would be around today. That is Crazy! I Love both CEC and RAE. Thank you for uploading. :)
In 1982 I had my 6th birthday at Showbiz Pizza.. It was in Auburn Heights, at the corner of South Blvd and Opdyke. Thirteen years later I'd have one of my first gigs in that same spot, but it had been turned into a coffee shop. Duke was my favorite, and in 86, I'd become a drummer. I have an album, and a 45 of Rock-A-Fire Explosion. I used to listen to them all the time.
Im from the UK and had no idea about any of this. What a Great documentary. Remember the Good times and the Bad, who you are, Where you are from, What makes you happy as Nothing last forever. Just Be Yourself.
It's such a poignantly sad story - The creator, longing to return to the zenith of his creation's popularity, he almost seems frozen in the late eighties, like the factory space itself. Then there are the fans who only wish to return to a simpler time in their lives. The Rock-a-fire Explosion, for them, is a chance to return to a place they miss so much, despite the fact that it no longer exists. Be it a failed relationship, regret over a missed opportunity, or just a restauraunt you used to like, I feel that everyone has something like that in their lives.
When I was 5, my mother asked me if what I wanted to do for my birthday. I said I wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese, which was Showtime Pizza, I just called it Chuck E. Cheese for some odd reason. I was really excited because I had only been there once before a few years earlier and just remember the amazing animatronic show. So, I was really looking forward to it and it was a big deal because my family was poor and I didn't get a lot of special things. So, we got my two friends and we headed out for my birthday. We arrived and there was a sign on the door. They had just shutdown for permanent closing at that location. My birthday was ruined and I still remember that let down 31 years later. I even remember exactly where the building is located to this day. The show was so amazing and revolutionary. I wish they brought the Rock-a-fire Explosion back to Chuck E. Cheese so my daughter can experience it. It sure beats what they have now.
I miss show biz. I went there as a kid and it was my absolute favorite. So happy to see this. Brings me back to my childhood. Would love to see these characters again.
Too young to have experience showbiz but growing up in the mid 90’s, Chuck E. Cheese would be a birthday staple for me and to be able to experience the animatronics before they went the way of the dodo is awesome to remember. This documentary has brought it all back and they need to bring these dinner and a show type places back.
Reading thru these comments & watching these people with their wonderful memories and me realizing I remember seeing the Rockafella Show as a young child & what was a big part of my happy memories 😏 I love how Aaron is so invested in these characters still & has hope for a future with them still...I love it & with all the interest in them as I've read...I think they would have a tremendous come back & be everything that Aaron dreams!
As a child of the late 80s/ early 90s this just inspires such nostalgia for me. I went to one birthday party and it became me and my grandmas secret fun place after that. My Chuck E Cheese had the toys r us right next to it so it was literal heaven as a child. I’m not sure i ever got to see the original rockafire show but man, the fans love for it is sure infectious ❤
I remember when this wa on Netflix I was 6 and my dad used to show me and my brother the videos of the rock afire explosion singing all those popular songs of the time and then my grandma showed us this documentary and I still love it
Why does he always apologize for the mess?
Creativity is a messy business.
germanicus fink.... CMON GUYS LETS GET CREATIVE!!!!!!!!
Yeah, i almost crowded my entire basement covering a box with tape once.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE IDEA!!??
The One Time To form a cover band wearing the costumes! I wanna be the drunk garbage can bird, my instrument the jug of course.
@@phoradio1277 MINE IS BEING CREATIVE!!!!
whoever buys the last show make sure you keep it in the best condition you can
Yeah
How much is it
CEC Bama not sure
I dunno, I think maybe anywhere from 25,000 to 100,000.
Samantha Kuznik IMA BUY THAT SHOW
I wish Showbiz was still around. I never got to see it in person, but I was told that it was amazing. I hope it comes back again.
We need to make a petition on change.org for Showbiz Pizza to make the comeback it's always deserved. Who knows! Maybe Aaron Fechter can make an updated Rock-afire Explosion with newer technology and stuff.
There are some open but most of the animatronics are I ruff condition
Showbiz Pizza Place was purchased by Apollo Globle Management in February 2014
If you go to creative engineerings website there are tours with working animatronics in good condition in orlando florida
you could have went to chuck e cheeze before corona
Man, I remember taking care of, maintaining and running the Rockafire Explosion band when I was 16 (1996) at a Funstation here in my NY town. I fell in love with animatronic singing animals when I was smaller in Disney's Tiki room.
The reason I took the job at the funstation was because they asked if I knew how to make the Rockafire Band work. I said I will figure it out! When I saw what had happened to the set, I knew it needed some TLC and a creative mind to make work. I certainly accomplished making the whole band sing and dance for quite a long time.
That year and a half of my life, seeing those little kids enjoy the characters really shaped my love for creating and being artistic. I never knew the man who created it all, nor his story. Thank you so much for posting
Not their fault, someone said no more shows, and if he wanted to save the things he had to give the characters away and Chuck E. Cheese was always a separate company, but until it happened.
@@Toppled. Yeah
Touchy and awesome beautiful story! My respects to you! :) (I also grew up at Showbiz pizza at Guadalajara México)
I agree that the cec characters should burn in the 🔥
Just the costumes not the mechanics
This was way more depressing than I thought it would be...
the opposite for me, it started sad and gross then turned bittersweet
Dude, they aren't fnaf fans, they just miss the band. Chill the fuck out.
GiantBanana first of all there are not small far from small second one of them isn’t a dude
im a fnaf fan but i like fnaf for a different reason it does have a similar feeling to the rocka fire if you know the full story to fnaf . fnaf haters should shut up its tearing me up really. its more to do with the story then jump scares people dont know what they saying. its poor when they say. oh its just jumps scare NO ITS NOT ITS SOOOOOOO MUCH MORE . sorry i went to far i came here because of nostalgia and even tho i never grow up at show biz in the 80s but i wish i did . but its a good thing we have a Documentary . thats what matters
NGTV Especially that birthday song when he talked about how Sal passed away. I genuinely wanted to cry during that scene.
I grew up with Chuck E. Cheese, but I'm finally learning about Billy Bob and it feels more personal. I think despite not being in the spotlight anymore, it was best that Rock-afire Explosion left Showbiz Pizza Place. They would have changed Billy Bob and made him a hollow shell of what he was.
Slowpoke85 same
They would have turned him into some kid skateboarder. 🤮
Thank you, Aaron, for keeping the RAE with you!
Me too
Thank God we had Chuck E Became ing a skateboarder Mouse kid instead
@therockafire, oh, now I get it. Probably not him. The real therockafire has been on here for many, many years. He’d never say that.
The ending was heartbreaking. He just can't let the warehouse go no matter what. In a way he is hoarding his past. And you know what. It's ok because he LOVES and I mean LOVES what he does.
He's selling it now because he no longer has a choice.
@@zippymufo9765 : ( omg
@@zippymufo9765 he didn’t have to, it was more so he wanted to do cleaning up and wanted to downsize to a smaller location
@@BeastlyCoop That's not what I read. Some people have looked up local Florida records and he's been sued for not paying his debts a few times. He probably sold it because he needed the money.
@@BeastlyCoop yea and with so much stuff in his old warehouse i can see why
It was a very rare treat to go see this show in the 80s. With a single mother struggling to get Bill's paid and food in our belly's , she still took me here for a great time and memories. Thank you mom.
This is so sad. I feel bad for Aaron. Especially on the copyright part
yeah :'(
Llp
Showbiz outsold Chuck E. Cheese, those asshole's tried to screw Fechter over, but he has fan's and even his factory and animatronics appeared in Keanu.
Yeah
Zazzy Z-man I know authority sucks.
I used to love to sneak back behind the curtain. That mixture of fear and wonder was amazing.
yes!!
lol I did too I actually went up on stage behind the curtain a very very feeling
+Explosive Candy who hasn't done that
+Explosive Candy who hasn't done that
spacekitt3n your mom
I'd kinda like to see a "where they are now" update documentary on these guys. Especially in the wake of the FNaF craze - I wonder if this guy has tried marketing to haunted houses.
Chris Thrash tried to open his own Showbiz, went bust, lost his house, and had to sell his Rockafire set. Sad to see him so happy about regaining his childhood and then hearing he lost it.
@@zippymufo9765 That's a bummer. Kind of wish that I didn't know that.
Aaron Fechter's show is still in his Warehouse and still works good and Aaron makes videos on his CZcams channel therockafire. But we haven't heard from Chris thrash in years. All we know is that he had a show at one point, try to open a pizza place which was a horrible idea, went out of business lost all his money, lost his house, and had to sell his rockafire explosion set.but there is a lot of other people that have rockafire shows, like at Smitty's super service station in Mississippi, and Goofy gas filling station in Indiana. So I would say that they're pretty alive right now except Aaron is just kind of unstable. Lol. That's basically where they are now. Oh and Chris thrashes set is kind of deteriorating in a theme park in Korea so that's kind of sad
Aaron Fechter went total looney tunes in the wake of the 2016 presidental election and alienated the fanbase to the point where Travis (a.k.a. the fansite guy in this) straight up disowned Aaron, and this film.
Chris Thrash tried to open his own restaurant, failed, sold his show, tried buying another one and restoring it, went nuts and last I heard is off the radar.
@@daniexists6 nah, he didnt go nuts, he got depressed and started doing drugs, wonder what happened to sandy thrash? (his wife)
“Kids aren’t interested in moving robots.”
Lol bet.
Theatre Nerd well I am I watch them everyday
I’m interested I just ask my mom to go there because of them and so you know I’m talking about Chuck E. Cheese’s
R.o.b da robot 🤖 showbiz is better but that’s your opinion and this is mine
Yeah I think it’s better to honestly LOL
I sure am! ^^
I'm so sad that this isn't a thing anymore. The timing of everything to the song is phenomenal. Such a depressing thing to see them gone.
Let's see maybe they'll come back one day
P TC Well they exist in they creation place
P TC they exist at Billy Bobs wonderland in West Virginia. They have a working show you can watch.
Don't go to Billy Bobs wonderland lol. They look like complete shit (see carpetbaggers video on it).
Funpaws TFM yeah most of the masks are fake and it just sucks (saw from carpetbagger too)
I grew up knowing about Chuck E Cheese and had NO IDEA that there were different characters for Showbiz Pizza restaurants until around the time that the first FNAF game came out and everyone started talking so much about Showbiz... I only knew they were related, but I initially figured they were pretty much the same thing (similar to Burger King and Hungry Jack's).
Now that I've been enlightened, I can't believe the "top brass" at Chuck E Cheese were so stingy as to not even offer to BUY the rights to the Rock-afire Explosion characters and just thought that they would be able to get the use of the characters and their copyright/trademarks for NOTHING. The way corporations tend to behave is downright disgusting.
Also, I know there will be tons of people making mean comments about the very devoted fans in this documentary, but just imagine if your (I'm guessing single) parent decided to leave you alone at a pizza restaurant for hours MULTIPLE TIMES as a child... I think that would be enough to have you create a rather strong attachment to some fictional characters.
The only thing is that I can't defend the fact that a man in his 30's exclusively drinks (2 liters or more of) Mountain Dew (and seemingly gets the rest of his nutrition from Marlboro cigarettes and, I would imagine, pizza that's YEARS old)... but maybe I just haven't spent enough time in the (obviously not Atlanta-area) South! How is he not constantly severely dehydrated?
"just imagine if your (I'm guessing single) parent decided to leave you alone at a pizza restaurant for hours MULTIPLE TIMES as a child... I think that would be enough to have you create a rather strong attachment to some fictional characters."
Wow. That actually makes a TON of sense. I had always struggled to understand why anybody liked (much less LOVED) those hideous clanking Island of Dr. Moreau-looking freaks. But now that you mention it... there WERE kids I knew whose mothers used Chuck E. Cheese as a kind of cheap babysitter while they ran errands or worked a half shift. You'd never get away with that shit now, but that was common back in the 80s.
@@Gj23jk2 I geuss you could get away with a lot of shit In the 80s
nowadays, he get more nutrition from drugs, because he is depressed. :) (im actually being serious)
@@thechaoplushproductions4144 holy shit thats so depressing
@@eliahnnalopez1040 yep.
Sad postscript: Chris Thrash opened his own Showbiz Pizza featuring his Rockafire set, but went out of business after two years.....he lost his house and had to sell his Rockafire set back to Fechter.
Wow that is sad
@@tammygouletschrader8785 it’s now in Wolmi theme park in korea, practically playing themselves into the ground. The more recent the videos of it, the worse the condition gets. The whole Rock-afire story is so amazing yet so sad.
@@pcdave1783 where can I see the video?
@@tammygouletschrader8785 czcams.com/video/5__IQIaFE28/video.html
@@pcdave1783 Well, the whole Rockafire brand has basically been dead since the 80's. Fechter always wanted someone to put money behind it and make cartoons and movies and rides and the like, but it's never happened. I went to Showbiz often as a kid in the 80's but I was never into the RAE because the music was turned up too loud and it was hard to talk, so I ate my pizza and then took off for the arcade.
This was so absorbing. I love docs on niche hobbies/fandoms. Does anyone else have any similar recommendations on CZcams?
Chris Sutton King of Kong fistful of quarters is decent.
What I think I'm an animal and My fake baby are really good!
There is another Rockafire video where the creator gives a tour of an old Rockafire warehouse.
The defunctland documentary on haylx is a good one
@@squishlez I agree!
I came her to laugh at these people but instead I left inspired by the passion humans can have, even for the simple things
i laughed at your moustache
spacekitt3n Gus Sorola's mustache*
+Martin McDonnell A roosterteeth AND rock afire fan? Hella.
):
Uhmm.
Aaron is hilarious. I love his energy. He was probably bouncing off the walls as a kid.
Justin Perlman he was the reason aderall was invented
He took a radio apart at age 4.
He put it back together at age 5.
He started a TV repair business at age 11 (but quit because he couldn’t lift the sets).
Need any more proof?
He is also a genius
He’s also an asshole
@SublimeHawk6 oh to be innocent. You can find a bunch of evidence on the internet
Ooof, this was extremely depressing to watch. Showbiz Pizza was a giant staple throughout most of my childhood. My parents used to take me there for dinner EVERY Friday night from right around age 2 up until we moved away from that location when I was 12. In fact, my mother still cherishes a couple of videos she took of me dancing with the band on several different occasions.
Apparently, I used to know every single song by heart and would actually walk up to other patrons I didn't even know and begin to point out & name each member of Rockafire Explosion while attempting to get them to get up and dance with me. (Lol!)
It's incredibly unfortunate to see what ended up happening to Aaron and his ingenious project. Showbiz Pizza was certainly a one-of-a-kind venue, and I will always have very fond memories of this place. Thank you for everything you did to keep this going as long as you could, Aaron. I really wish it had turned out better for you - but just know that there's a large group of people out there who support you and greatly appreciate all of the effort you put into this!
P.S. Chuck-E Cheese simply doesn't cut it. The staff, the food, the atmosphere - it's just not the same! And the very few times I've been in there... it pretty much just felt like a Showbiz rip-off.
PsyintZ, now, which company saved CEC in the mid-80s? :)
Shut up kid. Chuck E. Cheese at least TRIES. Acting like your opinion is objective is stupid and immature of you.
@@mrmemepro5249 they dont try, because they don't care.
@@thechaoplushproductions4144 they did at one point. But now I can kinda see it. Also I made this comment a while ago.
1. Showbiz owns Chuck E. Cheese.
2. Chuck E. Cheese used to be the parents of pizza Showbiz (the original name of Showbiz) until they broke the contract and opened the first showbiz. Chuck E. Cheese will always be apart of showbiz
1:00:55 Is such a real moment. People may not have the best feelings abt this documentary or the people in it but we will all reach a point in our lives where we see places we once frequented become abandoned. They will erode away, they will age, but we will not recognize the time passing. It will all exist so vibrantly in our memory despite the lack of any activity for who knows how long. Not something I expected to hear from this documentary, but it is touching.
What did the people in the doc do?
@@FormulaFanboyTravis schafer who is in this documentary has defended a pedophile in the community and doxxed/ harassed several minors as well as done other slimy no good things. Some of the fans formed the rockafire “mafia” and use some of Aaron’s copyrights and such without his blessing
This documentary was what got me interested in the Rock afire.
They're such an amazing piece of 80s history.
Watching this in a post-FNAF world is so strange when everyone is talking about how animatronics don't interest kids anymore. I feel that a lot of people gained an interest in animatronics from those games despite its genre being horror. I feel like old fashioned animatronics at least have a larger very dedicated niche audience now compared to when this doc was made.
Don’t worry, with security breach’s DLC, and a movie on the way, more fans are coming.
I hope they throw this guy a bone and and get him to make some Customs to promote any FNaF films, PR etc. he made a genre and it broke the poor guy.
(although if he's not doing factory tours where everything is supposed to be shut down, but the tour guide gets pulled away to answer a call... then the lights flicker and half an animatronic opens the door he is missing a trick)
Ima kid and I like animatronics, engineering and blah blah but I hate when someone brings up fnaf when I’m talking about animatronics.
@@bethaltair812 Doubt it, Fechter's tech is pretty ancient compared to modern animatronics. He might have been cutting edge in 1980 but he hasn't kept up with advances.
@@bethaltair812 Fechter also didn't "invent a genre", animatronic musical acts have been around since the 60's. He also didn't invent Whack A Mole, but that's a different story.
OMG IF ANYOBE KBOWS HOW TO CONTACT AARON THAN THEY SHOULD TALK TO HIM ABOUT A PATREON PAGE TO GET THE ROCKAFIRE EXPLOSION THERE OWN PIZZA PLACE!!!!!!! THAT WOULD BE SO COOM IVE NEVER SEEN THEM IM TO YOUNG BUT WHEN I SAW THEM I WAS SO FASCINATED AND I WANT TO TRY AND MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THIS I WANNA KNOW MORE!!
Osomatsu-san Trash -Couldn't have said it better 👍🏻👌
Bully Bob's Wonderland
Mikasa Ackermann as much as we’d all love that we can’t cause Chuck E. Cheese has the rights to the rockafire explosion Aaron doesn’t so it’s impossible
Chuck E. Cheese does NOT own the Rock-Afire Explosion.
^Chuck E. Entertainment
Actually, they bought Showbiz out and took over the business.
"Wish we could turn back time, to the good old days... "
O h n o
When saying us to sit but now we're stress out
When our moma sang us to sleep but now were stressed out
So the decision was to FORCE the INVENTOR of Rock-afire Explosion himself into giving others the total rights to do whatever they want to the show for not even a nickel or simply kill the original show itself and turn it into Chuck E. Cheese?
That's.....
That's just awful. I am never looking at CEC the same way again, or those people who did it.
kobun37 Oh, wow. This is all valid information?
Woah, why? What happened?
kobun37 Woah woah woah! That's crazy! What?
kobun37 Link your sources?
ScootsNB Same. Yes, please!
I hope Aaron finds his stride and gets a successful product to market. Inventor/Creators have a hard road...
69 likes lol
It's kind of heartbreaking to think that children these days will never learn to appreciate the utter beauty and incredibility that was Rock Afire Explosion.
Many people - including my own family - think I'm weird for loving these guys but I really don't care.
I'm sixteen. I love Rock Afire Explosion. Deal with it.
I'm 17, I too find these characters very fascinating.
@@NoU-pf8fc Same
Aaron: I talked with her on the phone and she just wouldn't talk!!
Carrie: Only because you kept talking, i couldn't get a word in!
Aaron: Not true!! *proceeds to talk over Carrie every single time she's about to say something*
Thats when you say, " Hey Aaron!? Want some taffy!" Mitchell hedberg joke
Also doesn't it seem like she was like 14 and he just scooped her from Boston? I thought she was just a really strange paid actress but now I just really hope she was
@@charitystolarz4615she was working at chuck e. cheese in her early 20s and that’s when she was introduced to the rockafire… as explained in the doc itself…
the girl who played Mitzi is a different person
I never went to Showbiz... by the time they changed to the Chuck E. skins, I was just starting to walk- but the Odyssey Fun World in Tinley Park, IL had RAE and I loved it. I have fond memories of both the Chuck E. Band and Rock-afire.
Rock-afire is still, to my knowledge, stationed in that Odyssey Fun World... albeit in poor shape and hasn't been working for years, but it's there. I want to go back and see if anything's happened to them. Last I checked on them was two or three years ago. Animatronics have always been special to me, and it's thanks to shows like these! ❤️
I grew up right next to Tinley and loved Odyssey Funworld. That too is just a shell of what it once was
@@satanicXcultXrosary and it's long gone now
I'm old enough to remember both. But never knew Odyssey ended up with RAE.
Wow that’s close to me
Well, that was very emotional, the feelings they have, and the history it was very touching, I wish someone would bring them back to the spot light, give chuck e cheese there long deserved brake
Agreed.
*****
Let's be nice, everyone has a right to their opinion.
+Eternal The Wolf clearly he was born in the 2000s
+Eternal The Wolf that's y he likes chuck e cheese
Jimmy Gigles have they had any accidents like Chuck E. Cheese where the anamictronics grab someone?
I'm 12 years old currently, born 2004, and I wish this was still here today. I think this is better then Chuck E. Cheese....bring them back!! D:
2 years ago oh man, one year younger than me now XD
Your a year older than me
Wow you're the same age as my sister now
you're just a year younger than me, my friend. i feel it. not a fan of aaron fechter, but the rockafire explosion was a big part of my childhood
Hey you I was born in 2004 too so we are the same age and I have to agree with you 100%
I came back here to watch this again after the last CEC with a full stage was removed in my state. I do enjoy both the RAE and CEC, but since I grew up with with CEC, I prefer it more. Basically what's happening with 2.0 is like Concept Unification all over again, but the animatronics are being killed off completely this time. My childhood is gone and the wounds still haven't healed. But I look back at my many videos and photos of CEC and was glad that I decided to record the show that one night...
I'm sorry for all of the Rockifire explosion fans out their who lost that part of their childhood I'm just learning about the Rockifire explosion.I'm 11 yea rs old but this is way better than Chuck e cheese but I say to cherish those moments
cindy the cat Chuck E. Cheese is bad now it used to be good
Dude same here I had no idea they took the rock afire kid's childhood away and replaced them with less cool characters. In 2008 I first discovered the rock afire explosion, I thought they were cool and funny. But I do like one chucky cheese character, and that's the dog. But other than that I like rock afire explosion way better, their way funnier.
Thanks but don't pity us! Things were more creative then because there was no internet. We had to create unique things to amuse ourselves! The result was better music, cartoons, toys & movies. Now it's all about special effects & computer-generated everything. Prettier to look at, but no soul. =)
Jane Doh I agree with you, being an 80's kid myself things were much more creative then.
Heck, even growing up in the 00s I'll say that. Even compared to now and I was growing up using message boards, AIM, IRC, all that stuff that FNAF girl would probably go "what the heck is this guy even talking about"
Still creative types out there but the kids growing up nowadays have to force them self into creative endeavors more than even my generation had to. Distractions are just a click or a tap away now. For us it was a bus ride away.
Rockafire and Showbiz Pizza were a part of many a childhood in the 80's, including mine. I used to love going to parties as a child and watching the animatronics.
Am I the only one who used to and still gets freaked out by all sorts of animatronics?
Am I the only one who used to and still gets freaked out by all sorts of animatronics?
Rio 2016 TURKEY-TÜRKİYE you only
Beth Di Bartolomeo my childhood was chuck e cheese not this so I'm new to the rock of fire
Jack & Kar Bleh Man if you childhood was chuck.e
I suggest a lot you See the rock afire explosion!
If you notice,at some chuck e cheeses you can still see jasper with a classic beach bear guitar
Also, at some 3-stages, doesn’t Pasqually have the Dook drum set front? 💥
@@emmarose4234 yuh
God.. it’s so sad that newer generation grew out of animatronics.. I find them wonderful and mesmerizing, it’s almost as if a cartoon was brought into the real world.. something you can actually reach out and touch.. makes me wish I grew up in the 80s in a way.. I remember the old Chuck E. Cheese robot and found it pretty neat while others found him creepy.. I’m glad I’m not the only one who adores these old bots
it makes me sad to see good company's fade
As silly as this sounds, FNAF is probably the MAJOR reason why there are more and more children getting into the RAE. Even more so now seeing FNAF is getting a movie. So you can say Scott Cawthon is the hero who saved them as well as animatronic bands. And please, no hate, Scott is such a humble and inspiring guy with a witty mind.
+TheBlueEyedFox This documentary was made a couple of years ago so Fnaf wasn't made yet.
+chunkeychimp 627 Okay, wasn't too sure...well then, FNAF will probably be the thing that brings his animatronic band back officially.
+TheBlueEyedFox I know what your saying, I had no knowledge of the Rockafire until I looked up real Aniamatronics and the Rockafire poped up
+TheBlueEyedFox i think i remember you
+TheBlueEyedFox Yeah, I do believe Fnaf had a great impact on these guys.
It's annoying when you see "OMFG DIS IZ FIVE NEGHTS AT FREDDEHS" But it's great when they get into it.
You know? Younger people really love the rock afire and I think it's amazing.
They may NEVER be as huge as they were again, But I would love to see the ShowBiz Fandom really grow and become really popular.
Kudos to Aaron for not selling his characters out to corporate. Nobody could've duplicated that charm and wit that RAE. And now they're getting rid of animatronics completely. So they would've gotten rid of the Chuck E. Cheese characters in favor of the rockafire explosion? Hard to believe
I'd like to thank Mike, Jay, & Dick the Birthday boy for sending me here!
I cried when Fatz winked at the end. :(
+Madison Chevy Fan I almost did.
+Cec Stages And I still cry just thinking about it. I really wish I could see the Rock afire explosion
+Madison Chevy Fan Me too, my goal is to go to CEI one day.
Cec Stages me too
+CEC Stages It costs $225.00 to get a Tour at CEI.
Anyone else notice that beach bear crosses his eyes when he talks and sings sometimes xD? I've noticed it quit a bit, I think it's hilarious xD. Beach bear is awesome.
Sheriece Sowells Yeah is a special function of beach bear he have that since the Wolfpack 5! band!!!
and notice closely Duke larue also move he foot(feet) to make the cymbals up !.+.!.!.!
And a thing i have seen in thosee days.... Is BIILY BOB AND BEACH BEAR they have the same arm movement
That's awesome :D
Yeah! It’s super awesome. It makes him look like he’s having a lot of fun. He and Looney Bird both have an eye mechanism that lets them cross their eyes like that.
@@tabbiexcat that makes sense. That is the best idea for them. Seems to bring their personality more to life.
I’m only 16 and I’ve been watching stuff with the band since when I was 15, makes me sad I never got to see this in person. It’s so cool and fascinating
Same, but I'm 13. I've been pretty into since I was 10 or 11. I wish we had a showbiz pizza growing up, but we just have stupid chuck e cheese.
Awwww when he said that he walked right up to Beach Bear and it took his breath away to be so close to them. So heartwarming in a way ❤ Beach Bear's my favorite.
The 80's seemed like such a good time, why did I have to be ten years too late?! I could rewatch this video every day and not get tired of it. It is amazing how everything in the warehouse was left the same, my dream would be to visit one day. So sad and beautiful! 💘
Ya I’m gonna start being honest I’d rather go back in time to see the rockafire explosion and warn past Aaron that Chuck E. Cheese is gonna take the rights for the rockafire explosion and help him stop them because Chuck E. Cheese characters don’t even lip sync all they do is sit there deactivated all day chuck d cheese doesn’t even try as hard as Aaron did and I respect that highly while Chuck E. Cheese doesn’t deserve anything for ruining millions of childhoods
Hey :)
jackievongrimm this is 2008
r/lewronggeneration
90s was just as good as the 80s. 90s was basically a upgrade of he 80s it took everything a level higher and crossed lines. then 2000 came and everything went to shit basically. the only thing i hated about the 90s was there was more violence
Aaron is an amazingly talented man. I'm so glad I ran across this documentary. ..... I truly respect him.
He’s totally gone to the head now though. I think spending all that time in the warehouse alone has gotten to him, bc now he’s a big ass shitty bigot…
He's a weirdo
Aaron seems like the most genuine and sweet guy! I'd really like to meet him. The world needs more ppl like him...driven, motivated....his passion is inspirational
hes mot anymore unfortunately
you people realize aaron is a POS, right?
I love the Aaron bot comments SO MUCH
Man, this really puts it all into context for me now. I found the Bubba Sparxx and Usher shows amazing years ago but never saw this documentary until today. I never realized the true scope of the Rockafire fandom. I have incredible respect for Alan for creating the show completely ground up, every aspect of the characters/figures from the molding of the facemasks, engineering the framework, pneumatics, computer control systems, and even providing original vocalizations. Truly an inventor.
this made me feel warm inside, i like the fact that it brings joy to them to make children happy
I just showed this to my mom (63yrs old) she smiled like a child and said "I reeeeememmmmmber this from California!!) Now, last time she was in Cali was in 1978-79 when she left & brought me here to Michigan where I enjoyed this at showbiz pizza in the late 80's in Muskegon.
Oh! Be still my heart!!! All of this!!! All days!!! I'm an 80s/90s baby and I remember Showbiz like yesterday! Mitzi was my fav because she was the girl! I love all things 80s and if I could jump into this video I would. I miss the simplicity of my childhood and NO crazy technology! I saw TRAFE in the Key and Peele movie Keanu and I had a melt down, my husband had no idea what it was and I had to explain it to him. He didn't have money growing up so he didn't get to experience places like this. Which is unfortunate. Showbiz was part of my world! Showbiz Pizza Place, I wish y'all still existed and that I could just go in and stuff my face ( no salad! Pizza and soda only) and play games until my hands hurt! Without looking like a creeper of course! 😂awesome video! Miss y'all!
My sixth birthday was at Showbiz Pizza. I begged and begged my parents for months, and it was supposed to be a surprise but I knew it was going to happen. Part of the draw was Rock-afire Explosion, and sneaking behind the curtain with my friends. It was amazing and terrifying and awesome. I’ll never forget that night.
What a beautiful documentary! You really get a feel for how the Rockafire was a true heart & soul creation. Wonderful but sad to see the tour through the frozen in time warehouse where the characters were made and to see the old footage and the faces of the people behind the characters.
I am 16 years old and I have a hyper fixation over the Rockafire Explosion band I absolutely adore them
I grew up with this band. Thank you for this film.
This is absolute greatness. I was born in 1980 in Austin, Tx and I was blessed to have a stay at home mom and a dad who did really well so I was at Showbiz alot. I absolutely loved it so much. I too snuck behind the curtain and had that moment and to hear someone else have that love and nostalgia just made my heart swell. I saw a guy on CZcams touring a "vintage chuck e cheese" this morning and I laughed and was like that's not vintage. Vintage is Showbiz and a bear not a mouse . Lately I've been so homesick for my childhood. I starting finding my old favorite toys and things that remind me of my childhood and I just treasure the videos on CZcams of old commercial collections and I've found my old favorite shows on CZcams like Belle and Sebastian and Pinwheel and Today's Special. I can't believe guys like y'all exist that have kept the 80s alive, kept our childhood magic alive. Thank you for this video 🥰
I love this movie!
I can't stop watching this! It is so sad. Dude has so much passion.
Thx guys for keeping this memory alive! I grew up in Chicago. 95th & kedzie was my showbiz experience. This is a story that needed to be told. U are appreciated...
ShowBiz Pizza Zone was a restaurant and arcade fashioned after ShowBiz Pizza Place that operated in Phenix City, Alabama. It was opened in 2008 by Chris Thrash, a Phenix City, Alabama car salesman. It featured an entire fully operational Rock-afire Explosion, which he funded with money he raised by working multiple part-time jobs. It also had arcade games. On May 30, 2010, Chris had to close down ShowBiz Pizza Zone. Chris later sold his show back to Aaron, who then sold it to a theme park in South Korea.
Showbiz was the pinnacle of arcade, animatronic, pizza places. And it all came down to atmosphere and how dark and smoky it was in there. Chucky Cheese was always SO BRIGHT inside! Like a flood of fluorescent light bulbs to the face. Hated that. Showbiz felt like another world, an exclusive joint that made you feel special to be there.
I've watched this many times over the last few years thanks to this upload. This is one of my all-time favourite films. It's so sweet and sentimental in its portrayal of the fans. It's honest and raw and it has a sense of humour about itself but it never feels mean-spirited. I often come back to it on bad days. Thanks to all involved.
i love beautifully unique American things like this
Mike and Jay sent me but this is a whole lot to process.
I discovered the rock afire Explosion when I was 9 and in this past year I got a big obsession to them especially Rolf and beach bear I really love them
I discovered rockafie explosion when I was 9 but now im 12 and I still love them billy bob is my favorite
and dook larue
Cool as impossible as it is I really do hope that the rock afire one day shows that mouse and his friends who's boss
+Super Mario Iggy yeah team rock afire explosion will show that mouse and his dumb friends
Can't wait to see the future of the Rock afire explosion
This documentary killed my feels. I wish these guys were around when I was a little kid, but instead I had CEC. It's such a shame the Rock Afire Explosion had to be replaced by them...
CEC was around before RAE
+Christopher Morano: Not really. Yes, the characters were, but it was called PTT and they were half-stage characters, not 3-stage.
RAE bought out CEC
@@TherealRNOwwfpoohnot to sound rude, that doesn't change the fact that showbiz still came after chuck e and was essentially a ripoff. On a related note aaron is a POS who got what he deserved (just needed to get that out as far too many people are sympathizing with this psychopathic racist manipulative POS)
@@FreeSpiritPaulette No, he didn't. If he would've sold the RAE to Showbiz Pizza Time (the name of the merged company before rebranding back to Chuck E. Cheese following "Concept Unification" [as in, taking off the RAE cosmetics & putting face masks and costuming of the Pizza Time Players onto the 3 stage RAE mechs under the new moniker of Munch's Make Believe Band while also getting rid off all of the previous Showbiz branding]; Although, this only lasted until CEC corporate decided that the animatronics by themselves simply weren't pulling in the audiences in the wake of competition like Dave 'n Busters, so the chain greatly reduced the number of animatronics to just the standalone Chuck E. - formerly Rolfe De Wolfe - animatronic & apparently scrapped the rest of the physical band in order to install a background backsplash featuring multiple TVs simultaneously running the corresponding Show Tapes that still featured the walk around versions of the band acting goofy as cover versions of popular songs played in the background when the lone animatronic left on stage wasn't appearing to use the main physical TV in conjunction with the otherwise forgotten Uncle Klunk phone line prop disguised as a computer hookup to loosely interact with 2D animated versions of the other band members in a homage to Skype/FaceTime/Zoom & other social media tools, with this rather truncated version of the show being renamed to Studio C, until CEC management's been toying with the idea of just gutting the Show Room entirely in favor of installing a public dance floor & leaving only the walk around version of Chuck E. as the only indication of what once was due to the leftover animatronics being sold off or junked for spare parts]), no doubt the exact same thing would've eventually happened to the Rockafire Explosion without Aaron Fetcher's voice work (he voices Billy Bob Brockali [named after Bob Brock], Looney Bird, Fatz Geronimo [this is due to Burt "Sal" Wilson exiting the role due to mounting tensions growing over Burt Wilson accepting a job offer as a character actor on Saturday Night LIVE after feeling stiffed on payments for doing Fatz], and comedy relief duo Rolfe De Wolfe & his heckling Muppet-like partner Earl Schmerle) & creative input that ultimately befell Munch's Make Believe Band once it was converted to Studio C, only with another character supplanting the hipster rodent (perhaps Billy Bob's mech getting relocated to the left stage since Billy Bob was Showbiz's mascot or maybe the left stage & central stage getting their characters removed altogether whilst leaving Billy Bob along with Looney Bird on the far right stage where they were stationed when the 3 stage setup had been the full Rockafire Explosion band, although had Billy Bob replaced Chuck E. as the public face of the company, the actual company itself would've likely taken to being nationally referred to Billy Bob's instead of reverting back to the Chuck E. Cheese name, so either way, Showbiz Pizza Place & Pizza Time Theater would have become relics of the past, no matter which mascot became the public face of the company).
While this is a very wholesome documentary, I have the kinda feeling that Aaron is going insane. He is all alone in this huge trashed warehouse he's all alone and acting like everything is perfect. He just looks so lonely and acts like he's losing his mind
You outta see his kiwifarms thread, real shit show there lol
@@LKDAnimatronics Yea, what kind of person would potentially kill somebody over staining carpet (Yes, that actually happened. And there's a creepy asf video to prove it)
Narcissist. He's playing the victim in the weirdest scenario ever and I can't look away
This documentary is one of the most beautiful things ever. I think i first watched it back in February of this year. Every time my Rock afire obsession gets kickstarted again, I rewatch it. I've liked the Rock afire for a year now, this documentary makes me cry like a baby every time. I saw the Hardluck Bears in Matlock back In August, and my mouth was open in awe and i was sobbing profusely, watching the show. The Rock afire makes me laugh, smile and even cry. This documentary encompasses that so well. " An eccentric portrait of childhood memories. " What could be more beautiful than that sentence alone?
That bastard Rich Evans didn't send me here
I think one of the reasons that this generation (kids from the 80s and 90s) seem more likely than other generations to "obsess" over our nostalgia is because we're the first whose childhood is readily available to re-live through the internet. Think about our parents generation where it was even rare for TV networks to keep tapes of old shows and they were often taped over. All the lost media they will never see or re-live again and here we are able to access it at the press of a button.
There are not enough people in this world that value the little fun things like this, it seriously warms my heart that people like this exist.
i wonder how much he was sold the show for. that he saved his money up for 2 years
@Jws0127 3 no that’s not true lolll
@Jws0127 3 ohhh but it might have been like 20,000 it depends
Turns out he sold the show back to Arron. Now it’s in South Korea
@Retrogamer Dell no, he opened Showbiz pizza zone. (As seen in the video) and it closed due to financial issues 2 years after it opened. (2008-2010)
@@cec_long_island9457 shut up you party pooper asshole
The feels. THE FEELS!!!!
Seriously. This movie is a regular "feels-fest".
I may have not been in the fandom that long but I feel like these characters have been in my life for as long as I've been around and I absolutely can't get enough Rock Afire! One of my greatest dreams is to go do volunteer work for Aaron with The Rock Afire Explosion, whether it be maintenance on mechanics in the characters or making new faces for characters and painting the facees and applying fur, dressing them up and what not. I'd really love to get involved. I wouldn't expect Aaron to pay me anything just as long as I can be around the band daily would be payment enough for me ♡♡♡
This is a wonderful, beautiful film. I loved it! Grew up in Troy, Alabama, and going to Showbiz in Montgomery was the height of existence. I loved learning about the history of Showbiz and RAFE and love the personalities in the film.
I grew up with these guys post project-unification, and while the Rockafire characters don't mean as much to me as many of the fans, the inner workings created by Aaron and his old team, do. At the heart and core of what I saw when I went to Chuck E Cheese, was this gang, and for that I am eternally grateful.
I cried when the removal part of the band! It's really really sad! I cry for justice for this band! :( :( :( :( :(
I know, it was like a death. :'(
XxLittleDudeGamerxX in this part i cryed like a baby! 😢
i also have see the billy bobs show in 2004 this was my 1st time seeing RAE.
XxLittleDudeGamerxX I agree!! You should look up showbiz pizza concept unification Chuck E. Cheese if you haven't seen it already! It is amazing and sooooo depressing! 💘
What a great and touching documentary. I’ve never seen Rock a fire or Chuck e Cheese as it’s not my generation. It was Disney’s Country Bear Jamboree that got me started. I was blown away when I saw it as a kid in 1970. Because of that, I’ve been in the animatronic business and I really relate to the things Aaron says. Another thing about this movie is the focus on the personal lives and the passion of the people. Again, very touching to me on so many levels.
I had my 10th birthday party at Showbiz. We went nuts. One of my buddies jumped on the roof of the helicopter ride while I was riding it and the whole thing fell over and cracked the fiberglass shell. Surprisingly they just told us to stay off the rides for the rest of the party.😩
jesus christ lol
my grandfather opened most of the showbiz pizzas in Indiana. he loved those animals, and even remembers repairing a few of them
I’d love to see a documentary like this about Chuck E. Cheese’s, especially since they’re slowly starting to take away their animatronics. I’m 18 so I grew up with CEC and MMBB rather than SPP and the RAE, and so I have a great fondness for CEC. I attach a lot of nostalgia and childhood memories to it. It’s such a shame that they’re giving up on the animatronics, and I honestly wouldn’t be too surprised to see CEC have a similar fate to Showbiz within the next 10 or so years. I do feel sad for those who grew up with Showbiz Pizza and the Rockafire Explosion, I know it must absolutely suck to see such a huge part of your childhood ripped away from you. I hope Chuck E. Cheese doesn’t face a similar fate. But this was a very interesting documentary, I love learning more about the history of Showbiz Pizza Place and the Rockafire Explosion as well as Chuck E. Cheese.
they sang happy birthday to me on my 12th.i miss getting taken to see them.
The guys who did this documentary are the best. They did the GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) doc as well.
“If there’s something you dreamed you wanted to do when you were a kid, then do it. You dreamed it for a reason.”
- Chris Thrash
And then his dream became a nightmare
@@zippymufo9765you had to ruin the mood didn’t you?
@@ragegamer4302 It's just reality. He tried to open his own Showbiz, got into serious debt, lost his house, had to sell his Rockafire set back to Fechter, and wound up addicted to drugs.
I love all the characters but Mitzi. She just always had this terrifying, disgusting look to her design, no hate to Mr. Fechter.
she scares the shit out of me
Squid Kid yeah SHE is gonna attract fnaf fans
Squid Kid I'd like to see her redesigned tbh
Well, lets just say Billy Bob's Wonderland doesn't make her better on her appearance.
Her design wasn't fetchers idea it was the companys
I've never seen anybody that loves what they do more than Aaron.
Was told to watch this while visiting Pineville NC , best youtube video i have ever watched ever
Coming from someone who grew up in the 80s......this is a wonderful documentary.
"It sort of became spooky."
Are you kidding me? So NOW it is spooky for him?! I didn't think he had the capacity to find something spooky.
I love the puddle that they haven't "analyzed" yet
Awesome! It is Really Amazing how this whole history went. You Know, when you think about it, if Chuck E. Cheese and Showbiz Pizza never merged, neither of them would be around today. That is Crazy! I Love both CEC and RAE. Thank you for uploading. :)
Chuck E. Cheese World, I LOVE your comment. It is so heartful, and you love BOTH CEC and RAE. You are the type of person I am looking for.
❤at least not with Peter Piper pizza
In 1982 I had my 6th birthday at Showbiz Pizza.. It was in Auburn Heights, at the corner of South Blvd and Opdyke. Thirteen years later I'd have one of my first gigs in that same spot, but it had been turned into a coffee shop.
Duke was my favorite, and in 86, I'd become a drummer.
I have an album, and a 45 of Rock-A-Fire Explosion. I used to listen to them all the time.
Im from the UK and had no idea about any of this. What a Great documentary. Remember the Good times and the Bad, who you are, Where you are from, What makes you happy as Nothing last forever. Just Be Yourself.
It's such a poignantly sad story - The creator, longing to return to the zenith of his creation's popularity, he almost seems frozen in the late eighties, like the factory space itself. Then there are the fans who only wish to return to a simpler time in their lives. The Rock-a-fire Explosion, for them, is a chance to return to a place they miss so much, despite the fact that it no longer exists. Be it a failed relationship, regret over a missed opportunity, or just a restauraunt you used to like, I feel that everyone has something like that in their lives.
when fatz winked at me I actually shed a tear I’m so sad they are gone
When I was 5, my mother asked me if what I wanted to do for my birthday. I said I wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese, which was Showtime Pizza, I just called it Chuck E. Cheese for some odd reason. I was really excited because I had only been there once before a few years earlier and just remember the amazing animatronic show. So, I was really looking forward to it and it was a big deal because my family was poor and I didn't get a lot of special things. So, we got my two friends and we headed out for my birthday. We arrived and there was a sign on the door. They had just shutdown for permanent closing at that location. My birthday was ruined and I still remember that let down 31 years later. I even remember exactly where the building is located to this day. The show was so amazing and revolutionary. I wish they brought the Rock-a-fire Explosion back to Chuck E. Cheese so my daughter can experience it. It sure beats what they have now.
I miss show biz. I went there as a kid and it was my absolute favorite. So happy to see this. Brings me back to my childhood. Would love to see these characters again.
Too young to have experience showbiz but growing up in the mid 90’s, Chuck E. Cheese would be a birthday staple for me and to be able to experience the animatronics before they went the way of the dodo is awesome to remember. This documentary has brought it all back and they need to bring these dinner and a show type places back.
Reading thru these comments & watching these people with their wonderful memories and me realizing I remember seeing the Rockafella Show as a young child & what was a big part of my happy memories 😏 I love how Aaron is so invested in these characters still & has hope for a future with them still...I love it & with all the interest in them as I've read...I think they would have a tremendous come back & be everything that Aaron dreams!
As a child of the late 80s/ early 90s this just inspires such nostalgia for me. I went to one birthday party and it became me and my grandmas secret fun place after that. My Chuck E Cheese had the toys r us right next to it so it was literal heaven as a child. I’m not sure i ever got to see the original rockafire show but man, the fans love for it is sure infectious ❤
I remember when this wa on Netflix I was 6 and my dad used to show me and my brother the videos of the rock afire explosion singing all those popular songs of the time and then my grandma showed us this documentary and I still love it