Little Kids Rock recently hosted its sixth annual Little Kids Rock Benefit, this year honoring Joan Jett and her music. The annual event, presented in 2014 by Guitar Center and produced by Steven and Maureen Van Zandt, took place on Thursday, Oct. 23 at New York’s iconic Hammerstein Ballroom at The Manhattan Center, a longstanding supporter of Little Kids Rock and a 2014 event sponsor. Alice Cooper, Tommy James, Billie Joe Armstrong, Darlene Love, Glen Hansard, Jesse Malin, Brody Dalle, Mike Ness, Jake Clemons, and other special guests made up the all-star roster of musicians that paid tribute to Jett with musical performances, produced by Steven Van Zandt.
Little Kids Rock honored Jett as the “Rocker of the Year” for the impact that her career, influence, and music have had on the charity’s ‘Modern Band’ music program, which equips public school music teachers with the instruments, training, and curricular resources they need to teach popular musical styles that kids know and love, like rock, hip hop, country, blues, and funk. More than 300,000 kids have benefited to date. Annually, this event raises enough funds to bring music education and instruments into the lives of tens of thousands of additional public school children who otherwise would not have access due to school budget cuts.
Guitar Center CEO, Mike Pratt was also honored during the evening, which included musical performances, speeches, and appearances by special guests.
A focal point of the evening was a live and silent auction featuring unique donated items like dinner with Maureen and Steven Van Zandt, autographed musical memorabilia, cruises from Royal Caribbean, limited edition Citizen Watches, and the opportunity to play onstage with the evening’s performers. All proceeds raised during the live and silent auction will enable Little Kids Rock to bring free lessons and instruments to over 135,000 disadvantaged public school students in 13 states.
