Slash Visits Little Kids Rock Class

On March 25, Slash of Velvet Revolver and Guns ’N Roses fame dropped in on an LKR class where he jammed with 36 thunderstruck students. 

Little Kids Rock is a national nonprofit organization that transforms the lives of low-income children by restoring and revitalizing music education in U.S. public schools.

Slash donated guitars to the group, answered their questions, and jammed with them, leaving the kids feeling as if they were in Paradise City.

In the middle of his visit, Slash started strumming his monster hit “Sweet Child ’O Mine,” never imagining the Little Kids Rock drummer and bass player would fall in right behind him. By the end of the song he was really smiling, as all the other kids were strumming, save for the little girl who grabbed the mic and sang the song perfectly.

“Music is one of the most important, universally liked subjects in schools – just as important as math, English, or history,” Slash told CNN. “It’s the ultimate form of expression, and obviously a great creative outlet for kids.”

“It was a beautiful sight and a beautiful sound,” says Little Kids Rock (LKR) founder Dave Wish. “It was electrifying.” It was also all caught on tape by CNN and broadcast on national television, exposing millions of viewers to the power of music education in schools in general and LKR’s good work specifically. LA’s local ABC affiliate, Channel 7, and the Los Angeles Times also covered the event.

Slash was also treated to two original tunes composed by LKR students. “Our mission is to pass the torch of passion for music-making to the kids in our schools who need it the most,” Wish says. “That is precisely what happened that day.” More information about Slash’s visit can be found at http://littlekidsrock.org/SlashVisit.html.