And the classroom...will rock: Eddie Van Halen Donates 75 of His Guitars to Public Schools

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Eddie Van Halen Donates 75 of His Guitars to Public Schools
The move supports underfunded music education programs in Los Angeles area

By ROLLING STONE
January 12, 2012 11:30 AM ET



Eddie Van Halen and Executive Director Felice Mancini pose with some of the 75 guitars donated to the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/eddie-van-halen-donates-75-of-his-guitars-to-public-schools-20120112

In a collaboration with the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, Eddie Van Halen has donated 75 guitars to L.A.-area schools. "Music education and families are dealing with the economic times," said the guitarist in a statement, "and I wanted to help them."

Playing music has provided a good life for him, said Van Halen, and he hopes to pass along that gift. "Music kept me off the streets and out of trouble and gave me something that was mine that no one could take away from me," he said. The guitars came from Van Halen's personal collection.

The band Van Halen, recently reunited with singer David Lee Roth, is currently preparing to go on tour to support their first album since 1998, A Different Kind of Truth, which is due next month.

[d_r]

1. wow he is looking better

[Amerigo Vespucci]

3. Yep...on that last tour with Hagar, he looked like he had one foot in the grave

The new song's nothing to write home about, but it's good to have Eddie back playing music, and healthy. Too bad they had to exclude Michael Anthony from this.

[jorno67]

4. I love seeing the band back together

and you're right about Michael Anthony, but the word is that he's being punished for his friendship with Sammy - Plus having Wolfgang on the tour helps keep Eddie sober.

[Scuba]

2. That's awesome. Steve Miller Band also has an in-school charity program...

http://www.schoolofrock.com/about



.... good on our artist friends!!!!!!!!!

[waddirum]

7. Steve Miller Band performed at a 4th of July free concert in Chicago a couple years ago...

... and they brought out one of the school of rock guitarists for a few songs.

[blm]

5. Cool move from a good guy!

.

[Major Hogwash]

6. Are there strings attached to this deal?

[waddirum]

8. just reading this makes me fret

[qb]

9. Not a huge fan of his music, but now definitely a fan of the man!

Rock on, Eddie!