I'm missing the Bridge School shows tonight

To be perfectly accurate, there were 30 Bridge School Benefit years, but it spanned 31 years.

The first was in 1986 but they didn't do one in '87. The final shows were in 2016.

Once they added Sundays in the mid-'90s the shows really added up. Overall there were 52 shows, 51 at Shoreline with 1 at the Oakland Coliseum (when Jerry played) and yes, I was at every one.

And if pushed I will always say that overall, '99 was the best year, and the best single concert was Saturday 10/30/99.

With my access over the years, I could write a book.

It would be a bad, self-serving, mostly dull book, but there would be a few good stories in there.

I'd enjoy it at least.

I know I'm always blathering on about these events, and it's not like they were the greatest concerts of all time, but they were unique, there were many very special moments, and I had such a personal connection to them based on my involvement with Shoreline that they were absolutely special, epic events for me.

And there are a few others who enjoyed them as well.

Time & place.

Experiences.

History.

If Timpane were still posting he'd probably just say I was old.

I think he'd just be jealous.

Anyway, historically this would be the Bridge weekend, and the cold, rainy weather is going to make it a very "Bridegian" weekend.

I'll likely be just up the road from Shoreline tomorrow night for JRAD at the Frost, but Willie Nelson is at Shoreline, and if Russo is over early enough I may make my way over there.

Just because I can.

GTTS, while you can.

Oh, and Jay, you missed a couple of performers from the great '99 shows...

Bonnie Raitt (Saturday only) and Tom Waits.

Just minor omissions.

Or...

NOT so minor.

What shows those were.

I've always assumed that they found other funding, although they still always solicit for donations.

And I agree that Vedder would likely have been happy to carry on as host, Dave Matthews & Dave Grohl were also very much into the event, but it was always a huge production to put those shows together and no one seemed to want to pick up the ball after Neil put it down to be with a movie star.

I've been a bit surprised that Another Planet didn't try to keep it going or revive it, as they are derived directly from the Bill Graham way, and Bill was way into using his assets for benefits. Plus, they were/are always looking to poach shows from Live Nation.

I wouldn't be surprised if they have looked into it but for whatever reason it just didn't work out.

A smaller, scaled down event at the Greek, maybe three days instead of two would be excellent IMO.

And ah yes Jay, I see your point, although in my addled memory I thought Waits played both shows that year, but no one can forget someone like Tom Waits, so you must be right.

Waits was absolutely amazing every time he played those shows, although I think he mostly scared people who didn't know him. Lots of people took breaks during his sets, and there were a lot of, "Who/what the hell is THAT?" from folks.  He is pretty scary, especially if you're not familiar with him.