Updated 11/6/2016: We’ve just updated this article with professionally filmed video of this complete performance
On this day in 1993 (Nov. 6th), Sammy Hagar and Edward Van Halen performed together at Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit concert in California.
Professionally shot footage of the five-song performance can be viewed below.
Here’s the recap we wrote way back then, published in issue #1 of the defunct all-Van Halen magazine, The Inside:
Sammy and Eddie: Unplugged at the Shoreline Amphitheater
Attendees of Neil Young’s seventh annual Bridge School Benefit concert in November were treated with a rare duo performance by unannounced rocker Sammy Hagar and Edward Van Halen. A close personal friend of Young, Hagar made the most of his live opportunity by introducing a new melodic tune “The Love” (written to his girlfriend), a straight shooting love song that strangely did not appear on his new album Unboxed.
Sammy then introduced his ‘dear friend’ Eddie Van Halen and the seemingly passive crowd erupted as the six string legend waltzed on stage past the lonely guitar and sat down at a piano. Eddie comfortably cranked into “Love Walks In”, also providing background vocals while Sammy sang lead. With hardly a breath in between, Eddie, also a classically trained pianist, jumped into a raw but enticing rendition of their 1992 hit “Right Now”. It was Van Halen live and unplugged for the first time.
But Van Halen’s all star parents would not have been complete without at least a sampling of what has made the Dutch-born musician internationally famous. While sporting a boyish grin from ear to ear, Eddie picked up a nearby acoustic/electric guitar and after some coaxing from Sammy, ripped into an abbreviated version of “Spanish Fly”.
Sammy then rejoined Eddie for an inspiring duet of “Best Of Both Worlds”. Eddie later joined show headliners Simon and Garfunkel in their performance of “Sound Of Silence.”
The all acoustic benefit has become a fall classic tradition in the San Francisco Bay area and has raised a small fortune for the innovative school for children with communication handicaps.
Sammy “The Love”
Sammy & Eddie perform “Love Walks In”
Sammy & Eddie perform “Right Now”
Eddie performs “Spanish Fly” and Sammy & Eddie perform “Best of Both Worlds”