hennemusic

hennemusic’s weekend series of specials continues this month with some highlights from Neil Young’s annual Bridge School Benefit concerts.

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. The annual event takes place each October; the 24th Annual concert happens on October 23 and October 24.

You can help support the Bridge School with your donation here.

1999 was a fairly quiet year for The Who - they played only 7 shows, including 5 in the States and 2 in the U.K. Of the five U.S. shows, two of them were to support the Bridge School.

The benefit shows are acoustic-based, so it would be interesting for fans to see how The Who would adapt to a quieter environment. With the school’s cause front and center, the easy-going nature of the benefit provided a friendly atmosphere both backstage and onstage.

At Bridge School Benefit 13, The Who headlined a stellar lineup that included Pearl Jam, Green Day, Tom Waits, Brian Wilson, Billy Corgan & James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins, Sheryl Crow, Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris and, of course, Neil Young.

Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend and John Entwistle were supported by Zak Starkey on drums and John “Rabbit” Bundrick on keyboards.

The video footage sourced here is a compilation of The Who’s setlist over both shows, as full material from either day hasn’t surfaced online. Also, since these shows are not broadcast on tv, please note that the video is footage sourced from the feed to the video screens at the event.