Chad Smith Red Hot Chili Peppers Michigan.

Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith is gifting a need-based music scholarship to the University of Michigan. The 64-year-old grew up in Detroit’s suburbs. Smith made the official announcement during a surprise appearance Sunday at the Ann Arbor school’s annual Band-O-Rama event. He performed the Chili Peppers hit “Can’t Stop,” alongside the Michigan Marching Band at Hill Auditorium. The Curtis & Joan Smith Scholarship is named in honor of Smith’s parents. It will be awarded to an incoming University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance student, beginning in 2026. Smith credits his parents with nurturing his love of music and supporting his dream to pursue it professionally.