The Museum is preparing to welcome the Rock-afire Explosion, an animatronic rock band that was once a staple at ShowBiz Pizza Place and Chuck E. Cheese establishments, this summer.
Comprising seven members including bears, a bird, mouse, wolf, mongrel, and gorilla, the Rock-afire Explosion was a beloved feature at family entertainment centers approximately four decades ago.
Director Brian Grams of the Volo Museum acquired the entire set of matching-number animatronics in 2019. He is currently arranging for the robots to perform on a newly constructed enclosed stage measuring 40 by 10 feet, equipped with three garage-style doors that will open during shows. The anticipated debut date for the Rock-afire Explosion at the Volo Museum is slated for June 1, located at 27582 Volo Village Road in Volo, as stated by publicist Cynthia Wolf.
Rolan Fritz, from Indianapolis, is actively involved in reviving the Rock-afire animatronic band, which was previously a prominent feature at Chuck E. Cheese restaurants. The band is scheduled to entertain visitors at the Volo Museum this summer. (Gregory Shaver/Gregory Shaver)
Describing the acquisition as the “holy grail of pizza animatronics,” Grams expressed his excitement, stating that the Volo Museum will likely be one of the only two locations in the U.S. and three worldwide where a complete Rock-afire show will be publicly operational, with the rest being in the possession of collectors.
A significant portion of the restoration work on the characters was carried out by local 17-year-old resident Jacob Mickan. Driven by his self-taught enthusiasm for robotics, Mickan purchased his own Rock-afire Explosion character, Dook LaRue, on eBay in 2021. Through instructional YouTube videos, Mickan managed to restore it to working condition.
Mickan, who graduated early from Crystal Lake Central High School, possesses the expertise to properly connect the 40-year-old animatronics to a series of pneumatic tubes. These tubes, when activated, bring the characters to life by moving their limbs and blinking their eyes. After responding to Grams’ call for assistance on Facebook, Mickan began collaborating with the Volo Museum.
Expressing his enjoyment and passion for working on the animatronics, Mickan shared his excitement about people’s reactions to the revived band, especially considering their nostalgic significance and association with the popular video game “Five Nights at Freddy’s.”
Rolan Fritz continues to work on restoring the Rock-afire animatronic band, which was once a highlight at Chuck E. Cheese restaurants, with the aim of showcasing their performances at the Volo Museum this summer. (Gregory Shaver/Gregory Shaver)
Grams expressed surprise at the level of interest shown by young enthusiasts like Mickan in the Rock-afire Explosion. He had initially expected to recruit older individuals with prior experience working on such robots.
The costs associated with bringing back Mitzi, Fatz, Billy Bob, Rolfe, Dook, Looney Bird, and Beach Bear, along with licensing fees, are estimated to total around $250,000. Despite the substantial investment, Grams believes it will be worthwhile to witness the joy of the next generation discovering and embracing this iconic band.
The stage, located near the Munchin’ Junction food court, will offer families the opportunity to relish the band’s performances on the grass while indulging in snacks. Although the animatronic band can learn hundreds of songs, the team intends to focus on performing classic Rock-afire tunes initially.
Grams emphasized the significance of this endeavor, noting that the stage will open during fair weather and at scheduled times to present free shows. They are also exploring the possibility of incorporating bill acceptors to allow visitors to enjoy the performances at their convenience.