Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith performed with the University of Minnesota's marching band during halftime of the school's Homecoming game Saturday against Purdue.
Smith was born in St. Paul, and his parents, University of Minnesota alumni Curtis and Joan Smith, were recently honored with the creation of the Curtis & Joan Smith Scholarship, which supports students at the University’s School of Music. Prior to the game, their son donated $160,000 to the fund.
Smith said, “I’m fortunate that I’m in a band that people like, or some people like enough to be able to inspire some of these musicians. I feel if you have that opportunity, you should give back.
“I wouldn't have made it through school if it wasn’t for the music programs in my high school.”
And speaking about the scholarship, he said, "There will be some great bands that come out of Minnesota, or a great musician or the next Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan, who’s from Minnesota, or Prince. That would be great.”
In addition to playing with the marching band, which you can watch on YouTube, Smith performed with some of the school's students.