Lady Gaga in Moving Tribute to ‘Big Man’ at Little Kids Rock by Jason Newman, N.Y. | October 21, 2011

At Thursday night’s Little Kids Rock benefit at New York’s Edi- son Ballroom, surprise guest paid tribute to collaborator and friend and accepted the Big Man of the Year award for her contributions to mu- sic education. The singer joined program co- chairs Steven and Maureen Van Zandt, and Evan Harrison, along with Billy Squier, Matt White and , musician and neph- ew of the revered saxophonist, for a night dedicated to both the pro- gram’s recipients and the member who died earlier this year. The nonprofit organization Photo courtesy of Mark Jaworski provides free musical instruments and training to more than 160,000 Every statistic says a kid who takes Van Zandt gave a brief, seem- low-income students around the music class does better in math and ingly extemporaneous, speech on country and has been presenting science. We’re the only country in ­Clarence’s generosity, saying, “We the Big Man of the Year award since the world that thinks art is a luxury. were late for everything. But a kid 2009. It’s not a luxury; it’s a necessity of waiting for an autograph is the only life.” thing Clarence would ever be on The award is presented annually to time for.” “a musical luminary who is passion- The night featured a commingling ate about and dedicated to helping of performances, as artists sang Presenting the Big Man of the Little Kids Rock provide music edu- both solo and with the program’s Year award to Gaga, Clemons’ wife cation to schoolchildren who may students. After performances by ­Victoria said, “You can’t do any- otherwise not have access to it.” White and Squier, the latter deliv- thing about the length of your life, ering standout tracks “Lonely Is but you can do something about “No Child Left Behind had an un- the Night” and “Everybody Wants its depth. When Clarence­ was go- fortunate effect,” Van Zandt told You” with the youth band, Clemons ing through struggles, you told Billboard.com. “By causing teach- and the group showcased a rous- him, ‘I believe in you seven days ers to be obsessed with testing, they ing rendition of Gaga’s “The Edge a week.’ Those words meant the ended up cutting all the arts classes of Glory,” with Jake filling in for his world to Clarence and helped him and killing music in our schools. uncle’s original guest spot. get through a lot.’” While Gaga didn’t perform, the singer delivered a moving speech dedicated to both Clemons and her father, who joined the singer at the event. After noting that “” was written for her ailing grandfather, she told the 350-per- son crowd about the impact Clem- ons had on her life. “My first experience with music was my father playing vinyl of the E Street Band,” Gaga said. “When I finished ‘Edge of Glory,’ I said, ‘There’s something missing.’ I’ve been through so many challenges and obstacles along the way, I didn’t remember what my youth sounds like. But the sound of Clarence’s was the sound of my youth. It was the only instrument to describe the way I felt when I Van Zandt performs at the Gala with Little Kids Rock students. was five. I knew every time the song played that my grandpa was look- saw something be successful and The event, which sold tables from ing down and thanking me, not for thought, ‘Well, now I can go on to $5,000 to $50,000, culminated with the gift that I had given to my fans, something else.’ He was extremely Van Zandt and the program’s grad- but the gift I had given to my father proud of his involvement in the uates performing “I Don’t Want to by having Clarence on that record. program.” Go Home,” the 1976 track written May the big man live on forever. and produced by Van Zandt for There is no edge when it comes to In addition to a silent auction fea- and the Asbury Clarence’s glory.” turing signed drumsticks by Ringo Jukes. Starr and signed guitars by Slash Asked about the value of programs and Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine, the Little Kids Rock was founded in like Little Kids Rock, Jake Clemons event featured a spirited live auc- 1996 by San Francisco elementary told Billboard, “You’d have to be in tion hosted by Jim Kerr of New school teacher David Wish and has a hole to miss the fact that music York classic rock station Q104.3. grown into one of the largest free education ultimately develops a After auctioning off a signed Stan music programs in the country. In kid’s understanding of the world. Lee Spider-Man guitar ($7,000), a addition to providing music educa- You can’t expect a plant to grow if signed Lady Gaga keytar, a pair of tion and instruments, the program you’re just going to shine it with Gaga earrings and a private meet- has brought musicians such as Paul sunlight all day long. You need to and-greet with the singer ($21,000), Simon, Slash, Tom Waits and Bon- give it some water. Music programs organizers auctioned a dinner for nie Raitt to classrooms around the give kids a place to activate another two with Van Zandt and wife Mau- country. part of their brain that’s ultimately reen, culminating in a bidding war going to feed other parts of their between a guest and Lady Gaga her- “Not every kid will find music,” brain.” self. Gaga eventually won, topping Squier told Billboard after the out at $13,000, but requested one event. “But you want to give them a Clemons said his uncle remained condition: The restaurant must be chance to find it. It’s an unadulter- steadfast in his involvement of the Parma on New York’s Upper East ated, untarnished program.” program as it flourished. “His voice Side where, as a struggling artist, would not quiet down,” he said. the singer used to wait tables on “He was never the kind of guy that Van Zandt.