Star struck students at a contemporary arts college based in Kilburn were treated to an impromptu set with drumming sensation Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Loud cheers and clapping filled the room as Mr Smith, who plays on drums for the critically acclaimed band, entered a modest sized classroom at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, on Dyne Road, last week.
He said: “These institutions gives people a place to hang out with like minded people who want to do what they want to do.
“It a wonderful opportunity for them to learn their craft.”
He continued: “It is important for young people to have the exposure and opportunity to learn an instrument, get in a band because it enriches your life in so many ways. Everybody loves music.”
The US rock star, from Minnesota, also criticised popular music talent shows such as the X Factor, dubbing them prefabricated.
He said: “I don’t know X Factor but I think it is very similar to American Idol and the people on the show are talented but to me it seems a little prefabricated in trying to be more about becoming famous.
“I don’t know if it’s the right way to go about it. I know those shows are popular and people like them but I prefer to get my music from a more original and natural way.”
Wearing a sleek red leather jacket and a baseball cap on backwards, Mr Smith answered questions from students who aspire for a future in the music industry.
Mr Smith, who had visited the institution before, later invited a lucky few on stage to take part in a spontaneous jam session.
Scores of pupils waited from 11am to get the opportunity to catch a glimpse at the drummer.
Poking fun at his uncanny resemblance to Hollywood superstar Will Ferrell, Mr Smith discussed his famed duel with his doppelganger in a drum-off for charity on US chat broadcast ‘The Tonight Show’.
“I didn’t think we looked that much alike. So when we met he said, being Mr. funny-man he said ‘there is no Will Ferrell there is only Chad Smith, which is the character which plays Will Ferrell.”
Adding that he and Mr Ferrell plans to challenge more renowned drummers for future events he continued: “It was really cool. He [Mr Ferrell] freaked me out when he was wearing the same clothes as me.
Lauren Harris Pugh, marketing manager from the institute said: “It is so exciting to get a musician from that level into the institute. The main thing we want to do here is give the students exposure to music and get them to learn from the best musicians in the world.
“Having someone like him is exciting for the students and pushes them so much more to get into the industry.”
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