NEIL YOUNG 02 - Bridge School Benefit

Plus a vintage live performance of "So I Am Over You"

Playing Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit concert in 1994 was a major highlight.

It was an honor to be included in a lineup that included Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Pearl Jam, Indigo Girls, Mazzy Star, Ministry, and of course, Neil himself.

---

A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW

Even though I was at the bottom of the bill, I was not the first to hit the stage. To encourage fans to show up early, Neil opened the show with a short acoustic set. So yeah… Neil Young was my opening act. File under “T” for tough act to follow.

I remember waiting in the wings of Shoreline Amphitheater, warming up my voice and plunking around on my acoustic guitar. Nervous as hell, I paced in circles while sneaking the occasional glance at the 22,500 seats as they were filling up. Neil arrived sporting a fedora and Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses. We looked like twins as I was wearing a fedora and Ray-Bans too. At least I didn’t have the exact same model of sunglasses. Mine were the Iverness wrap-around style. I considered losing the hat and shades but ultimately decided to stick with them.

MEETING MY HEROES

It’s funny how you remember the smallest details when meeting your heroes. At one point, Neil cleared his throat and spat into a nearby trashcan. “Road gravel,” he said.

Speaking of meeting heroes, I met Tom Petty for the first time at the Bridge School. My pal Mike McCready of Pearl Jam fame was friendly with Tom and asked if I wanted an introduction. A no-brainer. I was super nervous at first, but Tom was incredibly cool and immediately put me at ease.

We’d meet again shortly after the Bridge School when Tom came out to see me and my band in Los Angeles at Johnny Depp’s famous club, The Viper Room. Later he’d invite me to be the opening act on his Dogs With Wings tour. But that’s another story for another time.

A SEA OF FACES

My four-song set went by in a flash. This was one of my first experiences playing for such a huge crowd. The fact that Neil’s camp was filming the concert made it even more nerve-wracking. Add to that the fact that all those excellent artists I was sharing the bill with were within earshot and that makes for some severe butterflies. Over the years, I’ve heard countless times from fans who said they first discovered me at this show, so I guess I wasn’t half bad.

McCready joined me for a couple of songs. It was 1994, and Pearl Jam was one of the biggest bands in the world at the time, so having him as my sidekick didn’t hurt. Here’s a Polaroid of us rehearing. Look carefully, and you’ll see Mr. Potato Head. Have you seen Mike’s photography book? It’s called Of Potato Heads and Polaroids. My mug appears in the book a couple of times.

With Mike McCready and Mr. Potato Head at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, 1994.

PARTY LIKE A ROCK STAR WITH ACTUAL ROCK STARS

The night before the first show Neil had a party at his ranch in Half Moon Bay. I had an advance copy of Tom Petty’s now-classic Wildflowers album and remember hearing “Cabin Down Below” as we wound our way down a long hill to Neil’s place.

The party was a blast. I visited with Neil and his wife Peggi in a huge teepee they had erected in their backyard. I remember Neil telling me to really enjoy this moment in my career. He said this is the most exciting time when things are new and you have no idea what’s going to happen. He encouraged me to take it all in. Elaine Summers and I immortalized this moment in the second verse of a song called “First Kiss” that appeared on a benefit album called Compassion Through Action.

Thinking ’bout the old man
Voice of a sage
Handing out weathered pearls of wisdom
Cultured by age
There’s nothing as exciting
As when you don’t know
Hold on to positivity
Don’t let it go

Later that night, I was a fly on the wall for a heart-to-heart between Neil and Eddie Vedder. I don’t recall Neil’s exact advice, but I remember it being wise and profound.

WE SHALL MEET AGAIN

In 1996, I would have the honor of joining Neil & Crazy Horse on a tour across Canada. Stay tuned to Love Songs Etc for more on that. Then, Neil and company invited me back to The Bridge School in 1998. While not officially on the bill, they squeezed me in between sets. Again, I was joined by Mike McCready on a couple of songs.

While the 1998 appearance was great, it could not compete with 1994. My first Bridge School concert experience ranks right up there as the most exciting and memorable of my life. Thanks, Neil!

Peace & Love Songs,

Pete