Founded in 1986 by Pegi Young and Jim Forderer, with help from Dr. Marilyn Buzolich, the Bridge School develops and uses advanced technologies to aid in the instruction of children with disabilities. Young's involvement stems, at least partially, from the fact that both of his sons have cerebral palsy and his daughter, like Young himself, has epilepsy.
The first benefit concert, in 1986, raised the money necessary to start the school, which opened in ’87.
You can help support the Bridge School with your donation here.
The annual event takes place each October; the 24th Annual concert happened last weekend.
In 1993, Van Halen released their first (and, to date, only) live record (“Live: Right Here, Right Now”), and hit the road to support the double-album. The trek kicked off in March with a month of long-overdue European shows, before an eight-week North American tour, which wrapped at the end of August.
Sammy Hagar had appeared at the Bridge School benefit shows in ’89 and ’92, but when he came out to support the event in ’93, he brought someone with him: Eddie Van Halen.
With the customary opening set by Young, and then ones by Melissa Etheridge, Warren Zevon and Heart’s Wilson sisters (Ann and Nancy), Hagar came out to kick things off with a solo performance of “The Love.”
Hagar then introduced Van Halen, saying, “If I can con this guy into doing this, man, I can con him into doing anything,” as Eddie set up at a black grand piano.
“Love Walks In,” and the mega-hit, “Right Now,” followed, with strong piano work by Eddie, as Hagar’s voiced soared into the night air. Van Halen then pulled out a black Parker Fly guitar, playing the instrumental “Spanish Fly” from VHII, before the pair rocked out with an acoustic version of “Best Of Both Worlds,”
The all-too short set was over, one that was as close to a Van Halen “unplugged” session as anyone had ever seen – and one that hasn’t really been repeated since.
But the guys weren’t done for the night: Eddie appeared with headliners Simon & Garfunkel for “The Sound Of Silence,” adding solos throughout the track, with a positively glowing Paul Simon looking on.
Folowing S&G’s set, Young brought the whole lineup out for the night’s closing track, “Rockin’ In The Free World,” with Sammy helping out on vocals while Eddie traded solos with Neil.
If video of the full set exists, it hasn’t surfaced, so I’ve snagged the audio versions of what does, for you to check out. While it is incomplete, it’s of historical value, so I wanted to share the material here. There is one video, however, and it’s Eddie with S&G – while it’s not the best visual quality, keep an eye out for Simon’s facial expressions while watching/hearing Eddie solo…
Van Halen Van Halen – Love Walks In
Bridge School Benefit 7
Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – November 6, 1993
Van Halen – Right Now
Bridge School Benefit 7
Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – November 6, 1993
Van Halen – Best Of Both Worlds
Bridge School Benefit 7
Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – November 6, 1993
Simon & Garfunkel Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound Of Silence
Featuring Eddie Van Halen
Bridge School Benefit 7
Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – November 6, 1993
