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Long Live Rock School

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"There's two issues: How does the school acclimate to the literal growth, the numbers. And then, where is this whole thing going?" he posits, then responds to his own questions with more questions: "What is everyone working toward? Is it to franchise out? Is it just to do this one location, a couple locations here in town? Is the program what it is right now, is this pretty much it? Are there going to be whole new programs we haven't tapped into yet? I don't know."

But as the Duck Room empties and families depart for celebratory dinners or run off to other activities, Simon lets worry fade into the background.

"It's really hard for me to appreciate it entirely, what it's given these kids," he says. "It's usually — after a show, I'm passed out on the couch watching Saturday Night Live, thinking, 'Wow, what a cool thing: these kids. What a cool thing they experience and what a cool day job I have.'"

Kids, says Simon, are the only ones who can truly live the rock & roll dream, the rock & roll fantasy. They have no responsibilities. They live at home; they don't have to think about money. They can obsess over rock stars 24-7.

"I value their opinion so much more than anyone else's, 'cause they are the rock & roll generation," Simon finishes. "I listen to rock music 'cause it makes me feel good, but it also makes me feel young. Rock & roll is always about the youth."

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