Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Slash was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota Saturday (September 28) to play a song with the kids at the Brennan Rock and Roll Academy.

The students have only been taking lessons at the Academy for about eight weeks but had learned a couple of songs and formed bands so they could give their first concert to other students and parents.

Academy founder Chuck Brennan was talking to Slash this summer and told him about the Academy and the fact that the kids were going to learn Guns N' Roses cover of the Bob Dylan classic "Knockin' On Heaven's Door". Slash immediately wanted to be involved and not just by sending autographed memorabilia. He wanted to come play with the kids!

The Academy just opened in the spring of 2013, providing free weekly lessons to Boys & Girls Club kids. Area musicians volunteer to give lessons and Saturday we were treated to the band Red Night covering Green Day's "Brain Stew". Volpus and the Kneecaps did Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama". And The Moon Dogs with special guest Slash, did "Knockin' On Heaven's Door".

Today was what the Academy is all about, even without Slash coming. To see the kids faces light up when the audience was applauding and whistling, appreciating the hard work they've put in.

Slash told us how impressed he was with the facility and says he wants to try to get a similar facility built in Los Angeles because with all the cuts to the arts in public schools, it's up to facilities like this to continue music education.

If you'd like to volunteer, call (605) 274-ROCK

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Photo Courtesy of Crash/B102.7
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