Billy Idol Delivers "Rebel Yell"—and $55k Grant
Generation X Meets Generation Alpha: Billy Idol and John Sykes with Griffiths Middle School students in Downey, California (511 Studios)
Billy Idol brought a little “Rebel Yell” to Griffiths Middle School in Downey, California, Oct. 22, joining the Save the Music Foundation and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation for a gathering of nearly 1,200 students and guests.
The imminent Rock Hall inductee watched the school band perform his signature 1985 hit before discussing his career, creative process and hard-won lessons with the students.
The bigger news for the school district: Doty Middle School will receive a $55k music-education grant in 2027 to fund new band instruments. “When I was in school, picking up an instrument changed everything for me,” Idol said. “Save the Music and the Rock Hall are making sure these students have the same shot, and I’m proud to be part of that.”
The visit is part of a broader Save the Music/Rock Hall partnership that aims to fund at least 25 new music-education programs over three years while bringing Hall of Fame inductees into schools to inspire young players. John Sykes, who founded Save the Music and chairs the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, joined Idol for the trip back to school, with iHeartRadio’s EJ of 102.7 KIIS FM handling emcee duties.
Managed by Another Planet’s Laurence Freedman, Idol will receive his Rock Hall enshrinement on Dec. 8 in Los Angeles. As always, we will be dancing with ourselves.