Rockers Unplug and Raise $$ For Kid’s Cancer Benefit

Bigger View of the poster

SETLIST courtesy of setlist.fm

This is one of those nights that I wish I could actually re-live. The following will have to do:

A night that was jam packed with amazing moments. Luckily, many of the 1100 people at the Fillmore had their phones out, recording the once-in-a-lifetime moments. Including me! This was a benefit concert for the Pediatric Cancer Program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. The mostly acoustic evening was born out of a conversion between Sammy Hagar and James Hetfield. This event, in 2014, was the FIRST ANNUAL one. The last one was number eight and took place in 2023. No word yet on 2024…

Hagar was already a supporter of the phenomenal work that the pediatric cancer program was doing and mentioned a benefit concert to his neighbor, James Hetfield, and very quickly they had an all-star lineup lined up. How the idea of ‘’acoustic’ came up is not clear but the lineup contained artists who are not necessarily known for their acoustic work. The organizers, Metallica lead singer James Hetfield and The Red Rocker himself, Sammy Hagar are definitely plugged in most of the time. Add Joe Satriani, the electric guitar magician, and the evening gets a little more interesting. 

The Poster

A look at the poster reveals the other musicians participating: Joe Satriani, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day), Pat Monahan (Train), & Scott Mathews. Besides the ‘stars’ were Sammy’s guitarist, Vic Johnson and guitarist Lauren Langner Larson (UME)  This Fillmore poster artist is uncredited.

Surprise Collaborations

When it comes to benefit shows, expect the unexpected. The vibe is usually loose and when Sammy is running things, it can get super-loose. Performers meander on and off stage, joining in on each other’s little sets. This night did not disappoint on that front. The buzz on anticipation was in the air all night. The big payoff for me was the collaboration/mashup of James Hetfield and Billie Joe Armstrong. Picture the scene of Hetfield stage right and Armstrong stage left. Acoustic guitars at the ready (one doesn’t have to picture the scene, it’s preserved for all to see as hundreds of us in the crowd lifted our phones to capture the moment). 

Hetfield started the mashup with a Bob Segar classic, “Turn The Page”. Metallica covered the song years ago. After singing a verse and chorus, all eyes shifted over to Billie Joe. The crowd erupted when he began the familiar chords of Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”. The two exchanged verses of their respective songs. Very fun time. 

Acoustic ‘Dreams’

The special night started with it’s founders Sammy and James addressing the crowd. Seeing two of my favorite artists teaming up is special. They explained the origin of the benefit and their commitment to making it an annual event. Meanwhile Vic Johnson was tuning up his twelve string, getting ready to start the show. Vic has been Sammy’s guitar player on and off since 1997 so I am confident that we are in good hands. A fun, acoustic version of the snappy Sammy classic “Red Voodoo” started the show. Next was a huge sing-along with the Van Halen hit “Dreams”.  

The first cool collaboration of the night came next when Nancy Wilson walked out to join Sammy! Wilson appeared on the duet album “Sammy & Friends” , released a year prior. She joined Sammy on their song from that album , the tropical “All We Need Is An Island”, adding her soft vocal harmonies. It sounds great on the album. It sounded even better live! Sammy plays the 12 string on this song. 

Heart of the Matter

Nancy Wilson stayed onstage as it was her turn next to shine.  I was really looking forward to seeing her on the acoustic after hearing her jam on one for so many years. She is a true acoustic rocker! Of course, she did not disappoint! Heart’s power ballad, “These Dreams” started her set and was followed by “Let Me Roll It”, a Paul McCartney & Wings cover. Little did I know that Heart sings this song all the time in concert. I was beyond excited to hear this old favorite! Guitarist Lauren Langner Larson joined Wilson for another cover; Neil Young’s “Hey, Hey, My, My (into the Black)”. Lauren is a dynamic performer BTW! Wilson’s set ended with Heart’s rocker “Even It Up”. A short but lovely set.

All Aboard “Train”

San Francisco transplant Pat Monahan, from Train, was featured next. The stars kept coming out on this night! Monahan’s voice filled the Fillmore as he sang the Train hit: ”Soul Sister”. Sammy was back out to join in on “Ramble On”, the Led Zeppelin classic. Sammy jumped on the conga drums.  Monahan’s tenor voice is perfect for singing a Zep song. 

Satch Smoked

Another artist I earmarked was Joe Satriani. How would his electric guitar gymnastics translate to acoustic? The answer to that was: “very nicely”.  It turns out that “Always With Me, Always With You” (2013) works beautifully acoustically. Satriani’s set was only three songs but he expanded on them masterfully. Sammy joined in for the last song “Something Gone Wrong”, from Chickenfoot – the Hagar/Satriani/Michael Anthony/Chad Smith supergroup. 

Unplugged Metal

Next up was the other host for the evening, Mr. James Hetfield! He started off with his nerves on full display, claiming “It’s just me up here”, with no band behind him. Just him and a guitar that’s not even plugged in. He started on familiar ground with a slowed down version of Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters”. A perfect song to translate to acoustic.  He next impersonated a bull in a China shop as he growled through the intimate Beatle ballad “In My Life”. If he was still nervous, it didn’t show as he immediately launched into “Until It Sleeps”. A dark Metallica song that sounded extra menacing as an acoustic.

Speaking of James Hetfield: Seeing him in this small venue is special, in of itself, but hearing him interpret some classic Metallica songs acoustically, is amazing. He seemed a little uncomfortable, maybe feeling caged in on the small stage. Sitting on a stool, playing an acoustic guitar over his knee is not a typical ‘Papa Het’ pose. 

James ended his set with the aforementioned mashup with Billie Joe Armstrong. The sheer surprise of the moment still sticks with me today. The anticipatory cheers when Billie Joe walked out were giddy.  It was like a lightning bolt when Billie Joe launched into his part. Joe Satriani also joined! My shaky video posted below:

After that crazy song combo, the excitement did not stop. As Hetfield said his goodbyes, Green Day guitarist Jason White joined his bandmate Billie Joe and they launched into a rockingly acoustic version of Green Day’s “Holiday”. The energy stayed way up for Billie’s little set which included boisterous sing-a-longs from the Green Day fans! Billie remembered his first visit to the Fillmore when he was 15 years old. He mentioned that he stood “RIGHT THERE” pointing to an area in front of stage right.He came to see The Replacements. Armstrong’s four-song set ended with a plugged-in “American Idiot”. 

All Star Jam Finale

The only thing left was the final jam. Everyone came out for Bob Dylan’s “Rainy Day Woman (Everybody Must Get Stoned)” Another raucous sing-a-long ensued. A special “Only In SF” night had come to an end. Today, some 10 years later, I still pinch myself remembering back. Yes I was THERE! Got the poster to prove it hanging right here in my room.