Abortion, in particular, is a favorite issue for many stars, especially in the music world. Lilith Fair – an annual music festival featuring female acts such as Sheryl Crow and Martina McBride – gives portions of its proceeds to Planned Parenthood. Pearl Jam and several other big-name artists have even joined forces with The Feminist Majority to form Rock for Choice, a coalition that performs benefit concerts for abortion-related causes.

Yet when it comes to conservative causes – especially defending the sanctity of life – few have been willing to stand up.

Then, earlier this month, Rock for Choice’s lesser-known counterpart, Rock for Life – made up almost exclusively of Christian bands – released a letter addressing the question of when life begins. Addressed to Pearl Jam’s lead singer, the "Open Letter to Eddie Vedder" probably wouldn’t have garnered much attention on its own - except that it was written and signed by the front man for legendary rock group Van Halen.

"When does a woman become a woman?" wrote Gary Cherone, tapped last year as Van Halen’s third lead singer. "A woman ... begins life as a single cell, a zygote – that stage in human development through which we all pass."

Vedder basically ignored Cherone’s challenge, so the story didn’t live up to its potential as an open debate between two rock stars over the sanctity of life. Still, the letter got coverage from MTV and music-related Web sites such as RollingStone.com.

Bryan Kemper, national director of Rock for Life, is just happy that a big name is finally speaking out. "Thousands of babies have died, thanks to efforts of bands like Pearl Jam," Kemper said. "It’s about time someone like Gary stood up for the rights of these babies."

Kemper and Cherone hope the letter will embolden others in the music industry to advocate for the unborn, but it’s likely to be an uphill battle. For example, though Kemper told Boundless that Cherone’s fellow band members support their front man’s right to free speech, the group’s spokesperson distanced the group from Cherone’s letter.

"This is just the voice of Gary Cherone," Van Halen publicist Karen Moss told Boundless when asked whether the band shares Cherone’s pro-life views. "This is not the position of Van Halen whatsoever. It has nothing to do with their music. It has nothing to do with the direction of the band."

Translated: Don’t expect to see Van Halen doing benefit concerts for crisis pregnancy centers any time soon.

Cherone isn’t even speaking directly with the media about his letter, according to Kemper. Cherone has authorized Rock for Life to speak for him on the issue, Kemper said, because he wants the focus to remain on his written words, and "he wants to make Rock for Life a public name."

Cherone is also reluctant to speak with Christian media for fear that his pro-life views will be written off by mainstream news outlets, Kemper said.

All this might make one wonder how committed Cherone really is to the pro-life cause, but the fact remains that the idea for writing the letter and partnering with Rock for Life was all Cherone’s.

Kemper said Cherone was already frustrated with the growing number of musicians who were championing the pro-abortion movement when earlier this year he heard Kemper sharing his pro-life views on a Los Angeles radio talk show. Then in April, Cherone watched Kemper on Politically Incorrect,a late-night television talk show.

Seeing the opportunity, Cherone contacted Kemper.

"We’ve talked every night for the past month," Kemper said. The two became fast friends and after many hours of talking sanctity of life and other issues, Cherone came up with the letter idea. "For him, this is a coming out of the closet ... as a solid pro-lifer," Kemper said.

For Kemper, Cherone’s letter meant newfound exposure for Rock for Life. Founded by Kemper in 1994, the group works primarily with Christian bands to spread the pro-life message to teens. Rock for Life’s visibility jumped considerably in October, when it joined the American Life League, the largest pro-life educational organization in the world.

But the group’s affiliation with Cherone scored mentions in several major entertainment-industry publications and landed Kemper another appearance last week on Politically Incorrect.

In return, American Life League plans to present Cherone with a "Courage Award" at an Aug. 14 ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Kemper hopes it won’t be long before the next Gary Cherone emerges from the shadows to stand up for the unborn. His goal, however, is for pro-life advocacy to move from the stage to the living room.