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 happens this weekend: October 23 and October 24.
Bridge School Benefit 2010 LineupPearl Jam are celebrating their 20th anniversary this week, marking their Off Ramp Cafe gig in Seattle on October 22, 1990 as the starting point to their career.
Saturday, Oct. 23:
Buffalo Springfield
Pearl Jam
Elvis Costello
Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson
Lucinda Williams
Billy Idol
Jackson Browne and David Lindley
Modest Mouse
Grizzly Bear
Sunday, Oct. 24:
Buffalo Springfield
Pearl Jam
T-Bone Burnett’s Speaking Clock Revue featuring Elton John, Leon
Russell, Elvis Costello, Ralph Stanley, Neko Case and Jeff Bridges
Elvis Costello
Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson
Modest Mouse
Grizzly Bear
To check out the full Off Ramp show, see "Watch Pearl Jam's first show - 20 years ago today" here.
“The only thing we've got going on in October is Bridge School, which is really special," guitarist Stone Gossard told Billboard back in August while out promoting his side-band, Brad. "So that's our 20th anniversary, which is fitting. It's perfect: not too blown up. It's not about us, it about all those kids that are on stage with you and about Neil Young and his commitment, his influence."
Longtime associates of Neil Young, Pearl Jam have been regular supporters of the Bridge School, appearing at 7 of the first 23 events (9 in total, if you count appearances by Mike McCready and Eddie Vedder).
With so many appearances and so much material to draw from, I am structuring the weekend special into two distinct parts: Today, I’ll present 1 video from each of the band’s appearances in the 90s; tomorrow, we’ll check out 1 video from each of the 2000 series of shows.
There’s lots of PJ to choose from – it’s like a kid-in-a-candy-store thing !
Pearl Jam Pearl Jam – Footsteps
Bridge School Benefit 6
Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – November 1, 1992
Pearl Jam – Daughter
Bridge School Benefit 8
Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – October 1, 1994
Pearl Jam – Yellow Ledbetter
Bridge School Benefit 10
Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – October 19, 1996
Pearl Jam – Better Man
Bridge School Benefit 13
Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – October 31, 1999
Tomorrow: Pearl Jam rocks The Bridge School – part 2
