Pitchfork

The headbang sure has come a long way since "Great Balls of Fire", and to demonstrate just how far, Metallica and Jerry Lee Lewis will soon rock the very same stage. For the kids!

Yes, it's the latest Bridge School Benefit-- the 21st annual, to be sure-- put together by Neil Young. Young's wife Pegi co-founded the school, which, according to its mission statement, seeks "to ensure that individuals with severe speech and physical impairments achieve full participation in their communities."

Along with Metallica and Mr. Lewis, Young will also perform at the October 27-28 event, as will Tom Waits (joined by Kronos Quartet!), Regina Spektor, Bridge School Benefit vet Eddie Vedder (joined by Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers), and Tegan and Sara. Also: John Mayer. The two-day fundraising bash takes place at the Shoreline Amphitheater near San Francisco.

Neil Young, as previously reported, has a new album on the way titled Chrome Dreams II. It's due October 16 from Reprise, and according to Mr. Young's website, the new LP will come bundled with a bonus disc at select retailers. In a Pumpkins-esque move, different retailers' bonus discs will each house a different preview track from "The Riverboat", a live disc from the forthcoming Neil Young multi-disc set Archives Volume 1, planned for release early next year.

In addition to the Bridge School Benefit, Young also plays Farm Aid at NYC's Randall's Island on September 9.