On his 12th birthday, in April 2003, Alex Izenberg went to Guitar Center to jam. He was the prankster of his Los Angeles public school, a high-strung and mischievous kid who hated class but loved rock ’n’ roll. At Guitar Center, his friends marveled at his best Hendrix, and he attracted a famous listener, too. When Izenberg chuckled and said no, Perry bought it for him, plunking down $5,000 for a “fiesta red” Fender Relic and a Marshall amp. She left her number, too, so he started calling, imploring her to see his preteen trio, Din Caliber.

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Persons: Alex Izenberg, marveled, Hendrix, ‘, ’ ” Linda Perry, “ I’m, ” Perry, Where’d, Izenberg chuckled, Perry, imploring, ”, “, ’ Organizations: Guitar Center, Center Locations: Angeles