I'm missing the Bridge School shows tonight

Forums:

A friend posted this video on facebook today, noting that this was traditionally the weekend for the shows.

On multiple levels I had a personal relationship with these special events, never missing a single one in 31 years.

This video is from 2010, when they made a 25th Anniversary DVD (which I'm proud to be in for a few short moments).

After that year they would show this video at the shows during a break. People would cheer the various artists, one certain scraggly face always getting a good one. It chokes me up to watch it.

It's a shame the shows don't happen anymore, but everything has a time & a place.

I feel incredibly lucky to have been in that place for all those times.

Give it a watch, it's nice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EtNQ7iNN9s

I fully agree with your sentiment. I was lucky enough to attend several Bridge Schools. Neil and Pegi did such a great beautiful thing. THIRTY YEARS of musical gifts!

My favorite was Halloween 1999. I think it was like a 12 hour show with the greatest Bridge lineup ever (imo of course). My only The Who show albeit acoustic but with John Entwistle.

Neil YoungPearl JamEmmylou Harris (Day 2 only), The WhoSheryl CrowGreen DayBilly Corgan & James IhaLucinda Williams, and Brian Wilson.

Anyone else make this one?

Thanks for all the Bridge School memories!

31 years, oops and WOW, all 31 for you? Epic!

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.

The only one I went to was the one at the Oakland Coliseum. That was a hell of a lineup and show.

I'm so happy that you were there for everyone of them, Lance. You have so many great memories.

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.

Halloween 99 was a hoot

rented a limo for the show. The driver turned out to be an old roomate.

He talked his way into the show

Somehow ended up in a box above 100s

 

The year Bowie was there was fun too.

Enjoyed that one from Woz's box!

Hey Lance,

I only made the 10/31 show, not the 10/30 show which I why I omitted.

Tom Waits would have been INCREDIBLE.

I'm also thinking about the 2000 Bridge in the rain on the lawn. I'm a big fan of the RHCP but Anthony's singing was way bad on this night, if memory serves.

So thankful I got the chance to see Tony Bennett at the 2011 gig.

thx,

Jay

How come the Bridge School Benefits have stopped?  Seems like Eddie Vedder would be the obvious choice to assume the responsibility for spearheading the effort once the Youngs backed out.

I started hitting the Bridge shows with what I believe was the second one at the Oakland Coliseum. Bill Idol was wasted and tried to come on and sing with everyone.....incluiding Dylan who was haviong none of it and a rather large, surly looking gentleman promptly took Billy out with a pro football move.......funny stuff! Garcia, Weir and Kahn played that night. Ah, the memories. Saw most of the following 30 years worth....

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.

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

Maybe a good shot at it coming back post COVID. Fund raising for all NPO's has been depressed during the pandemic.

although I think he mostly scared people who didn't know him

I think he scared some people that did know him LOL!

although I think he mostly scared people who didn't know him

<<I think he scared some people that did know him LOL!>>

Immediately this came to mind:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAkZT_4vL_Y

Thanks for the Thread Lance

Nice LOOK Back...............

I have fond memories of the handful I attended and regret not going to more.  Funny how when I was younger I took things like musicians/bands for granted... what do you mean they don't play forever?!?!

And for all the joy Neil has brought me over the decades, I wish him nothing but happiness with "the movie star".