Between 1964 and 1967, he won first place in the annual piano competition at Long Beach City College. His parents wanted the boys to be classical pianists, but Van Halen gravitated towards rock music, and was greatly influenced by 1960s British Invasion bands such as the Beatles and the Dave Clark Five.
Wolfgang Van Halen and his family have donated $100,000 to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to help get musical instruments in schools.
“Music has been a huge part of my life, and it is our family’s great pleasure to help support music education programs and bring the gift of music to students across the country,” Wolfgang said via statement. “Music education has proven to be a huge contributor toward a student’s success in school and in life.”
The Van Halen donation will kickstart the foundation’s Adopt A School campaign, with $1,000 going to each of the first 100 participating schools.
According to the foundation’s survey, 68 percent of schools turn away students from the music program because of a lack of instruments.
