Chad Smith Surprises Michigan with New Music Scholarship

If you were in Ann Arbor over the weekend and thought you saw Will Ferrell you didn't.

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But you might have seen Chad Smith who is the drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

He was at the University of Michigan Sunday November 2, 2025, to announce the launch of a new music scholarship and did a surprise performance with the Michigan Marching Band.

Chad Smith made the surprise appearance at U-M's annual Band-O-Rama event, held in Hill Auditorium.

Smith performed the Red Hot Chili Peppers hit “Can't Stop” and the U-M fight song “The Victors” alongside the band.

The main reason for his return to his home state of Michigan was to launch the Curtis & Joan Smith Scholarship in partnership with the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

The scholarship is named in honor of Smith's parents, Curtis and Joan Smith.

Smith grew up in suburban Detroit and attending Lahser High School in Bloomfield Hills.

This scholarship will provide need-based support for an incoming freshman music student to the School of Music, Theatre & Dance undergraduate program, starting in 2026.

The scholarship, which was launched by the Chad Smith Foundation, is intended to expand access to high-quality music education and career pathways for aspiring musicians, giving them the same chance he had to pursue their dreams.

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Gallery Credit: Wendy Reed