Steven Van Zandt Rocks Out With Bronx Students After Donating New Guitars By: Corinne Lestch, N.Y. | September 21, 2011 Kids learning how to play rock ‘n’ roll got more than a crash course when they jammed with legendary musician Steven Van Zandt Tuesday. The multitalented member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and his wife, Maureen, surprised about 25 students at Intermediate School 162 Lola Rodriguez De Tio with brand-new guitars and am- plifiers. The nonprofit program Little Kids Rock, which brings music education to under- served schools, paired with Van Zandt’s charity, Rock and Roll Forever Founda- tion, for the event. “Putting instruments in their hands is em- powering,” said Van Zandt, also known for Photo courtesy of Enid Alvarez his acting stint on The Sopranos. “[Music On The Rolling Stones’ “Satisfac- The self-taught guitar player also in schools] is absolutely vital. We’re the tion,” he played guitar and sang stressed that some of the “in- only country that thinks art is a luxury next to Eddianne Alvarez and Iris ventors” of rock and roll were - it’s not. Kids who take arts classes do Bermudez, both 12, who swayed African-American, such as Little better in school. and started clapping to the rhythm Richard and Chuck Berry. by the song’s end. “Instead of saying, ‘Take that iPod out of “What did it take to get where you your ear,’it should be, ‘What are you lis- “It was awesome!” said Alvarez, are today?” asked one curious stu- tening to?’” who admitted she doesn’t know dent. who Bruce Springsteen is but The preteens showed off their shredding vowed to do some research. “[Van “Your teacher is showing you that skills on electric and acoustic guitars with Zandt] was really funny, and he what we do is a craft - just like a songs they have been practicing for the just taught me how to sing a little carpenter builds houses, mak- past two weeks: Lady Gaga’s “Edge of better.” ing music is a craft that has to be Glory” and Elvis Presley’s “A Little Less learned,” Van Zandt answered. Conversation.” After the jam session, the seventh- “You slowly start to absorb... and and eighth-graders gathered in a all of a sudden you have an origi- For the third song, Van Zandt - wearing a semi-circle around the Van Zandts nal song. colorful paisley shirt, ripped jeans, purple and peppered Steven with ques- coat and requisite scarf around his head tions, ranging from his favorite “It’s a miracle if you write a really - helped some shy students unleash their touring spot (Europe) to his musi- good song, if you write something inner rock star. cal inspiration (The Beatles). out of thin air.”