Famed rock drummer Kenny Aronoff, who has played with John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Smashing Pumpkins, and many more, will present a performance and discussion called “An Evening With Kenny Aronoff” September 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Butler University’s Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts.

Admission is free and open to the public without tickets. For more information, call 317-940-2787 or visit schrottcenter.org.

In “An Evening With Kenny Aronoff,” presented by the Butler University School of Music, Aronoff will perform on his drum set with music he has either recorded in studios or performed live. He will share stories from his 40-plus years in the music business and discuss topics such as:

-How did he get to where he is today?

-How did he rise to the top of his profession?

-How can others learn from his experiences?

He will talk about staying healthy in body, mind, and spirit, living life at the highest possible level, finding and reaching your goals, and communication skills.

Aronoff is one of the world’s most influential and in-demand drummers. The list of performers he’s played with includes Elton John, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Keith Urban, Pharell Williams, B.B. King, Brian Wilson, and Melissa Etheridge. He’s played on more than 30 Grammy-nominated recordings and 10 number one singles.

The Massachusetts native joined his first band at age 10. At 16, he decided to focus on classical music and began to study with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He studied classical music at the University of Massachusetts School of Music, Indiana University School of Music, Aspen School of Music, and Tanglewood (the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer home).

In 1980, he joined Mellencamp’s band, recording 10 albums and touring with Mellencamp for 17 years. He has since toured with Bob Seger, Fogerty, Smashing Pumpkins, Etheridge, Joe Cocker, the Jefferson Airplane, Michelle Branch, Styx, Chickenfoot, and the Goo Goo Dolls.