Saturday, October 9, 2010

1986: Bruce Springsteen rocks The Bridge School – part 1

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.

Bruce Springsteen headlined the first Bridge benefit show in 1986, when the idea for the new school was billed as a “pilot project.”

Following the insanely successful “Born In The USA” tour (1984/85), which made Springsteen a superstar, Bruce spent much of 1986 preparing a retrospective box set of live material (“Live 1975-/85,” released a month after the Bridge event). Outside of a few benefit club gigs early in the year, one of Bruce’s only ’86 performances was in October at the Bridge show.

E Street Band members Nils Lofgren and Danny Federici joined Bruce at Bridge for an all-acoustic set, which started off with an acapella version of “You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch),” from 1980’s “The River.”

Springsteen was in a playful mood throughout the evening, having fun with the stripped down performance.

Please note that the concert footage is likely sourced from the feed to the video screens at the event.

Bruce Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen – You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)
Bridge School Benefit 1
Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – October 13, 1986


Bruce Springsteen – Born In The USA
Bridge School Benefit 1
Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – October 13, 1986


Bruce Springsteen - Seeds
Bridge School Benefit 1
Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – October 13, 1986


Bruce Springsteen – Darlington County
Bridge School Benefit 1
Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – October 13, 1986


Bruce Springsteen – Mansion On The Hill
Bridge School Benefit 1
Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – October 13, 1986


Bruce Springsteen - Fire
Bridge School Benefit 1
Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – October 13, 1986




Tomorrow - 1986: Bruce Springsteen rocks The Bridge School – part 2