Every year, in October, Neil and Pegi Young host a weekend of music to benefit The Bridge School. The school serves children with severe speech and physical impairments. The goal of the school is to help give these children the skills they need to successfully participate academically and socially with their typically developing peers. Many of the students and graduates are invited to sit on stage to be a part of the show. I was moved by how many of the artists spent a good deal of time with their backs to the crowd while singing to the very people the show was benefiting.
The participants change year to year, but there are many artists who have played the benefit multiple times. Pearl Jam has played the show 8 times. Each year I think about going, but that's about as far as I get. For the show in October my friend Chris said, "This year we should really go. Seriously, we really should." I said, "Let's do it." And just like that we ended up in the bay area to see the 24th Annual Bridge School Benefit.
After spending a couple days in San Francisco we boarded the train to Mountain View to enjoy a weekend of amazing music. The weather was horrible, cold, rainy and windy. Luckily I had packed a rain poncho, just in case.
Night one participants:
- Grizzly Bear
- Modest Mouse
- Jackson Browne and David Lindley
- Lucinda Williams
- Kris Kristofferson (Merle Haggard was supposed to perform with Kris, but he was ill)
- Billy Idol
- Elvis Costello
- Pearl Jam
- Buffalo Springfield
We arrived at the venue while Modest Mouse was playing and met up with other Pearl Jam fans we hadn't seen in over a year. It was great to see everyone and get caught up on what was happening in our lives. By the time we got to the lawn seats we had for that night there weren't many places to sit other than the very back.
Chris and Nick:
Me and Chris (before the rain):
Then the rain arrived!
I couldn't see the stage, not even when standing, so I hunkered down and listened. It really was quite enjoyable even with the cold windy rain. The highlight of the night for me (aside from Pearl Jam) was Billy Idol. Yes, Billy Idol. I wasn't all that excited to see him. I thought it would be cool, but when he came out and started singing I was transported back to the 80's and I loved every minute of it. I even stood up and braved the cold, windy rain so I could see a corner of the screen. I'm embarrassed to say we left night one right after Pearl Jam finished. The next night, after watching Buffalo Springfield perform, I really regretted leaving early the night before.
The next day started earlier, but no less rainy. We vowed to get there early so we could buy merch and see all the bands. We scored seats for that night and were thrilled!
Day two participants:
- Grizzly Bear
- Modest Mouse
- Kris Kristofferson
- T-Bone Burnett's Speaking Clock Revue featuring:
- Ralph Stanley
- Jeff Bridges
- Neko Case
- Elvis Costello
- Elton John & Leon Russell (!)
- Pearl Jam
- Buffalo Springfield
(Sorry about the blurry picture, it's hard to find a good guest photographer.)
Being in seats was so much better than the lawn! We still got wet, but at least we could see the stage. Too bad the amphitheatre cover didn't protect us from the rain! It looked really cool though.
Didn't take too many pictures because of the rain, but later in the evening after it dried out for a bit I could take some shots. For this trip I was using a small Canon point and shoot. It's a lot easier to get into a show than the big Nikon. The close up shots were taken of the big screen.
Jeff Bridges might not be the best singer, but he sure is nice to look at! At the end of the show everyone came out to sing together... Eddie Vedder, Jeff Bridges and Kris Kristofferson all shared a microphone. It was almost more hotness than I could handle.
Part of what helped my decision to go travel to the Bridge School Benefit was the appearance of Elton John. I'm a big fan, but have never seen him perform live. While this was not, technically, an Elton John performance I was blown away nonetheless. In the fall Elton John and Leon Russell made an album together, The Union. This performance was from that album. I loved all the songs and writing this has reminded me that I really need to buy the album! Rolling Stone magazine rated it the 3rd best album of 2010!
I was so ready when my beloved Pearl Jam took the stage. I may have been in attendance the night before, but I couldn't see a thing and I couldn't wait to feast my eyes on my favorite band.
Another downside to the cold, wet weather was that Eddie was wearing a hat, boo hoo!
Later "Uncle" Neil came out to play "Walk With Me" with Pearl Jam.
Then came Buffalo Springfield! There are really no words to describe the vibe of their set. It's really hard to believe they hadn't performed in over 40 years. Here is a Rolling Stone article describing how the reunion came to be. To say they sounded amazing is really understating it. Stephen Stills still has "it".
It really was an amazing trip. Chris and I planned to catch flights at the same time from the San Jose airport and I'm so glad we did. While walking to the gates I spotted Stephen Stills walking toward his gate!! It was shocking, but I managed to stop him to tell him how much I enjoyed the show! Later, after Chris boarded her plane she texted me that he was on her plane and she got his autograph!!
These are video highlights from the weekend. They are a little long but worth watching.
OMG! I'm a complete jealous wreck! Jackson Browne? Kris Kristofferson? Elvis Costello? Jeff Bridges? Yes, I'm totally envious! No one ever comes here... Not for a long time anyway. Thanks for showing us everything.
GREAT POST!
Posted by: Liz C. | January 16, 2011 at 03:39 PM
That is awesome! Looks like a great show (even with the crap weather) and a great benefit. Lucky you!
Posted by: Meg | January 17, 2011 at 09:12 AM
Fabulous post. I'm so glad you got to go and see this show! And your friends!
Posted by: Diane | January 19, 2011 at 09:18 AM
That sounds like a great experience.
I have very fond, if somewhat hazy, memories of a Billy Idol concert back in 1985. Ah, youth!
Posted by: Jenn @ Juggling Life | January 19, 2011 at 04:42 PM
Gotta admit, YOU are my idol when it comes to being a long-term rocker! So cool. It looks like you had a fabulous time. And how grand that you got seats for the PJ show. Jeff Bridges, Billy Idol ... wow. Awesome!
Posted by: Lisa | January 19, 2011 at 07:01 PM