Metallica's James Hetfield jams with Little Kids Rock, raises funds for music education

If you remember reading about the Rockin' the Bay benefit for Little Kids Rock, we have some good news: Metallica's James Hetfield helped raise over $225,000.

Hetfield's autographed ESP Snakebite guitar alone went for $14,000 to one auction winner. He received the "Livin' the Dream Award," made in memory of Facebook executive chef Josef Desimone, also a musician and philanthropist. Other honorees included Facebook chefs.

The event itself was at Facebook Headquarters in Menlo Park, California. The money goes to music education in Bay Area public schools. Hetfield spoke of the reasons for his involvement with Little Kids Rock:

"I'm a firm believer in creative expression through music. It is important to have it available from a young age, which is why I support Little Kids Rock's mission to make music education accessible to children," said Hetfield. "I've seen how music changes people's lives for the better and I am honored to have a part in helping the organization enrich young lives through the lifelong gift of music education." 

Hetfield played "Enter Sandman" -- the first single of Metallica's fifth album. But this time he was joined by Little Kids Rock students from Visitacion Valley Middle School in San Francisco. With Little Kids Rock students from San Francisco and Richmond, he performed the more playful "La Bamba."

Hetfield later posed in pictures with Little Kids Rock students from Highland Elementary in Richmond, CA, plus other performers who joined: Guitar Hero's guitarist Marcus Henderson and Joe Satriani's drummer Jeff Campitelli. Rocker Chris Isaak also came to support. 

If you feel like you missed out, money is still being raised in an online auction and crowdfunding campaign. Supporting will put you in good company, Little Kids Rock Honorary Board Members are Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt, Slash, B.B. King and Ziggy Marley, to name a few. 

As a kid, who did you dream of getting to rock out with on stage?