On Saturday, the inaugural TeachRock Teachers Hall of Fame Gala took place at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, NJ. TeachRock is the curriculum program founded by Steven Van Zandt that uses music to produce learning materials offered for free to educators.
The evening opened with 40 students from the Sing for Hope program at Amani Public Charter School in Mount Vernon, NY, presenting an arrangement of Van Zandt's song "Out of the Darkness." Pete Davidson hosted the event which saluted teachers from across the country. Other participants include Jon Bon Jovi, Jeff Ross, Ricky “Riconia” Smith and the E Street Choir accompanied by E Street Band keyboardist Charlie Giordano and percussionist Anthony Almonte. Kool & the Gang also delivered a performance to the sold out crowd.
Tom Morello was on hand to receive with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award honoring his late mother, Mary Morello, a lifelong educator and activist who devoted herself to teaching and social justice. Bruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance to present Morello with the award.
Earlier in the day, Jon Bon Jovi helped induct Van Zandt onto the Count Basie Center Walk of Fame.
TeachRock has previously announced that its Help on the Way fundraising concerts will return in November. These will take place on Wednesday, November 4 at The Cutting Room in New York City and Saturday, November 7 at Fairfield Theatre Company in Fairfield, CT. Proceeds will help TeachRock’s ongoing mission. This year’s house band features Corey Glover (Living Colour), Rob Eaton (Dark Star Orchestra), Tim Palmieri (Lotus), Aron Magner (The Disco Biscuits), Noelle Saison (King Saison) and Vinnie Amico (moe.). These artists will play mashups of classic hits with the music of the Grateful Dead.
