Chad Smith Honors the Beat of Future Generations

Watch Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith Jam With Kids For Charity

Red Hot Chili Peppers Drummer Recognized for Championing Music Education at Facebook’s Family Jam Benefit

Chad Smith Honors the Beat of Future Generations

“It is such an honor for me to be recognized by an amazing charity like Little Kids Rock for supporting their work to keep music education thriving in our schools,” said Chad Smith as he accepted the Livin’ the Dream Award at the Little Kids Rock Family Jam Benefit held at Facebook’s Menlo Park campus.

The annual Family Jam event brought together music lovers, business leaders, and families for a day of celebration, charity, and children’s dreams. Amid live music, raffles, auctions, face painting, and culinary delights from Facebook’s renowned kitchen, the highlight was clear: honoring the Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer for his unwavering commitment to giving every child the opportunity to rock.

“Music has made such a tremendous impact in my life and I am blessed to be able to give that gift back to the next generation of music makers!” Chad Smith expressed with heartfelt sincerity.

Little Kids Rock, the nation’s largest nonprofit music program, serves nearly 200,000 students in 1,300 schools across 29 cities. Their signature “Modern Band” curriculum empowers students to learn music through genres they love—rock, pop, reggae, metal, and more. The Bay Area alone is home to about 8,500 young musicians benefiting from the program.

“It’s our belief that all children deserve the opportunity to unlock their inner music makers,” said Little Kids Rock founder David Wish. “It’s up to the big people to stand up for little kids’ right to rock and that’s exactly what will happen on May 16th!”

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Drummer, Chad Smit honored at Music Will’s Benefit

And stand up they did. Chad Smith alone helped raise over $80,000 by jamming onstage with young fans, including a memorable moment drumming along to the Chili Peppers’ hit Can’t Stop. The event also paid tribute to former Facebook head chef Josef Desimone, who tragically passed away in 2013. The Livin’ the Dream Award was created in his memory.

Smith’s advocacy for music education isn’t limited to just this event. He famously battled Will Ferrell in a drum-off on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, raising funds for Little Kids Rock and Cancer for College. Their hilarious showdown, fueled by their uncanny resemblance and Ferrell’s comedic jabs—“That was cute. Do you play for the Lukewarm Chili Peppers?”—was not only entertaining but deeply impactful.

“It’s so important to keep music education alive in our schools,” said Smith. “I’m committed to doing everything I can to support this effort, and Saturday’s event at Facebook was an absolute blast. Who knows — maybe some of the kids we jammed with will be the next Red Hot Chili Peppers!”

Chad Smith exemplifies what it means to use fame for good. His work with Little Kids Rock goes beyond donations—he brings visibility, excitement, and energy to a cause often neglected in public discourse. Music education isn’t just about learning to play an instrument—it’s about confidence, creativity, and connection. With artists like Smith leading the charge, there’s hope that more children will find rhythm not only in music but in life.

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