Bridge School Memories: Here We Are In The Years

Paul McCartney and Neil Young
"Only Love Can Break Your Heart"
Bridge School Benefit Concert - October 23, 2004
Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA
Photo by Kim Komenich of San Francisco Chronicle

This coming weekend, the 24th Annual Bridge School Benefit concerts (see line-up) will be held.

Over the years, the Bridge School Benefit concerts have seen some of the most diverse and eclectic lineups of musicians ever assembled on an annual basis. For 24 years now, Neil and Pegi Young have hosted the concert series which marks the official end of the season for the benefits home venue -- The Shoreline Amphitheater just outside San Francisco, CA.

While there have been some pretty amazing acts and collaborations since the first benefit in 1986, the year 2004 probably ranks right up there at the top of the scale of concert memories. The 2004 Bridge School Benefit Concert featured Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, Eddie Vedder, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tegan & Sara, Los Lonely Boys, Sonic Youth, and Ben Harper along with Neil Young.

The concert's finale with Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett and other musicians left many with literally tears in their eyes.


"Only Love Can Break Your Heart" - Paul McCartney and Neil Young - October 23, 2004


Neil Young
2009 Bridge School Benefit Concert
Photo by John Shearer/WireImage


"Powderfinger" - Adam Sandler and Neil Young
2009 Bridge School Benefit Concert
Photo by Christopher Victorio


"Comes A Time" - All Bridge Performers Finale:
Neil Young, No Doubt, Jimmy Buffett, Chris Martin, Sheryl Crow, Fleet Foxes, Monsters of Folk, Wolfmother, Gavin Rossdale
2009 Bridge School Benefit Concert


Pegi & Neil Young
Photo by Steve Jennings/WireImage


Cat Power and Neil Young on "Fortunate Son"
2008 Bridge School Benefit Concert


Wilco
2008 Bridge School Benefit Concert


Neil Young - Photos by Inside Bay Area
2008 Bridge School Benefit Concert


Neil & Pegi Say "Goodnight"
Bridge School Benefit Concert 2007
Photo by Roel van Dijk - Rust Radio


Dave Matthews Band & Neil Young
Bridge 2006 Concert
photo by Craig Abaya


Gillian Welch, David Rawlins & Neil Young
Bridge 2006 Concert
photo by Craig Abaya


Eddie Vedder & Neil Young
Bridge 2006 Concert
photo by Craig Abaya


2004 International Rust Fest
Miron's Photo Gallery

San Francisco Chronicle: Young sings to family of 20,000 at 20th Bridge School concert:

"The Bridge concerts, among many others things, have served to humanize Young and bring out the family side of his life into the public eye. With their son at the bottom of all this and his wife's tireless dedication to creating and building this pioneering school, Young has drawn back the curtain at these Bridge shows on a private life he has otherwise not been disposed to reveal."

Pegi & Neil Young at Bridge 2006 Concert
photo by Craig Abaya

Also, see:
- Performer Lineup for 24th Annual (2010) Bridge School Benefit Concerts
- Bridge School Benefit Concert Reviews, Photos, Videos, etc.
- The Charitable Mr. Neil Young Keeps On Giving & Giving & Giving

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