Rocker Van Halen donates 75 guitars to LA schools

Rocker Eddie Van Halen has donated 75 electric guitars to Los Angeles-area high schools as a way to inspire music in children.

Tricia Steel, of the Mr Holland’s Opus Foundation, said the Van Halen lead guitarist arrived with the brand-new guitars this week, saying he wanted them used in schools and not sold.

Artist wants to inspire music in children

The non-profit-making Los Angeles foundation has distributed the guitars to seven schools serving mostly low-income students which needed them to replace broken instruments or build music enrolment.

Schools were not told where the guitars came from until they arrived, and then they were advised to keep them under tight lock and key.

The Dutch guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer is best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen. He is commonly known for his innovative performing and recording styles in blues-based rock, tapping, intense solos and high frequency feedback; he is also known for energetic and acrobatic stage performances.