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The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
'I'm not through with it yet': Willie Nelson at 92
When Willie Nelson celebrated his 90th birthday at the Hollywood Bowl two years ago, it could have been mistaken for a retirement party. But at 92, he's working as much as ever. Nelson will be on the road again with Bob Dylan when the Outlaw Music Festival resumes for the second leg of its 10th year starting on June 20 in Clarkston, Michigan. Asked if he'd ever like his life to get the feature film treatment that Dylan did last year with "A Complete Unknown, " Nelson said, "I've heard some talk about it. But I'm not through with it yet." The tour is one part of a loaded year. This spring, Nelson released his 77th studio album, a collection of songs by his friend Rodney Crowell. And he's added a new THC tonic, Willie's Remedy+, to his wide world of weed products. The album comes on the 50th anniversary of "Red Headed Stranger," the album that many consider Nelson's masterpiece. A breakthrough for him at age 42, it took him from respected journeyman to beloved superstar. As Nelson returns to the road, the only surviving member of the classic lineup of his Family band is Mickey Raphael, 73, whose harmonica has duetted for decades with the Willie warble. Bassist Bee Spears died in 2011. Guitarist and backup singer Jody Payne died in 2013. Drummer Paul English died in 2020. And Nelson's sister Bobbie Nelson, his only sibling and his piano player, died in 2022. But the band he takes on the road now is just as familial in its own way. It often includes his sons Lukas and Micah. English's brother Billy plays the drums. The son of Payne and singer Sammi Smith, Waylon Payne, plays guitar September will bring the 40th anniversary addition of Farm Aid, the annual festival to support family farmers, which Nelson founded with Neil Young and John Mellencamp, He performs there annually. It was inspired by one-off charity concerts like "Live Aid," but became an annual institution, rotating each year to a different farm-adjacent city. It's in Minneapolis this year. When Willie Nelson celebrated his 90th birthday at the Hollywood Bowl two years ago, it could have been mistaken for a retirement party. But at 92, he's working as much as ever. Nelson will be on the road again with Bob Dylan when the Outlaw Music Festival resumes for the second leg of its 10th year starting on June 20 in Clarkston, Michigan. Asked if he'd ever like his life to get the feature film treatment that Dylan did last year with "A Complete Unknown, " Nelson said, "I've heard some talk about it. But I'm not through with it yet." The tour is one part of a loaded year. This spring, Nelson released his 77th studio album, a collection of songs by his friend Rodney Crowell. And he's added a new THC tonic, Willie's Remedy+, to his wide world of weed products. The album comes on the 50th anniversary of "Red Headed Stranger," the album that many consider Nelson's masterpiece. A breakthrough for him at age 42, it took him from respected journeyman to beloved superstar. As Nelson returns to the road, the only surviving member of the classic lineup of his Family band is Mickey Raphael, 73, whose harmonica has duetted for decades with the Willie warble. Bassist Bee Spears died in 2011. Guitarist and backup singer Jody Payne died in 2013. Drummer Paul English died in 2020. And Nelson's sister Bobbie Nelson, his only sibling and his piano player, died in 2022. But the band he takes on the road now is just as familial in its own way. It often includes his sons Lukas and Micah. English's brother Billy plays the drums. The son of Payne and singer Sammi Smith, Waylon Payne, plays guitar September will bring the 40th anniversary addition of Farm Aid, the annual festival to support family farmers, which Nelson founded with Neil Young and John Mellencamp, He performs there annually. It was inspired by one-off charity concerts like "Live Aid," but became an annual institution, rotating each year to a different farm-adjacent city. It's in Minneapolis this year. When Willie Nelson celebrated his 90th birthday at the Hollywood Bowl two years ago, it could have been mistaken for a retirement party. But at 92, he's working as much as ever. Nelson will be on the road again with Bob Dylan when the Outlaw Music Festival resumes for the second leg of its 10th year starting on June 20 in Clarkston, Michigan. Asked if he'd ever like his life to get the feature film treatment that Dylan did last year with "A Complete Unknown, " Nelson said, "I've heard some talk about it. But I'm not through with it yet." The tour is one part of a loaded year. This spring, Nelson released his 77th studio album, a collection of songs by his friend Rodney Crowell. And he's added a new THC tonic, Willie's Remedy+, to his wide world of weed products. The album comes on the 50th anniversary of "Red Headed Stranger," the album that many consider Nelson's masterpiece. A breakthrough for him at age 42, it took him from respected journeyman to beloved superstar. As Nelson returns to the road, the only surviving member of the classic lineup of his Family band is Mickey Raphael, 73, whose harmonica has duetted for decades with the Willie warble. Bassist Bee Spears died in 2011. Guitarist and backup singer Jody Payne died in 2013. Drummer Paul English died in 2020. And Nelson's sister Bobbie Nelson, his only sibling and his piano player, died in 2022. But the band he takes on the road now is just as familial in its own way. It often includes his sons Lukas and Micah. English's brother Billy plays the drums. The son of Payne and singer Sammi Smith, Waylon Payne, plays guitar September will bring the 40th anniversary addition of Farm Aid, the annual festival to support family farmers, which Nelson founded with Neil Young and John Mellencamp, He performs there annually. It was inspired by one-off charity concerts like "Live Aid," but became an annual institution, rotating each year to a different farm-adjacent city. It's in Minneapolis this year. When Willie Nelson celebrated his 90th birthday at the Hollywood Bowl two years ago, it could have been mistaken for a retirement party. But at 92, he's working as much as ever. Nelson will be on the road again with Bob Dylan when the Outlaw Music Festival resumes for the second leg of its 10th year starting on June 20 in Clarkston, Michigan. Asked if he'd ever like his life to get the feature film treatment that Dylan did last year with "A Complete Unknown, " Nelson said, "I've heard some talk about it. But I'm not through with it yet." The tour is one part of a loaded year. This spring, Nelson released his 77th studio album, a collection of songs by his friend Rodney Crowell. And he's added a new THC tonic, Willie's Remedy+, to his wide world of weed products. The album comes on the 50th anniversary of "Red Headed Stranger," the album that many consider Nelson's masterpiece. A breakthrough for him at age 42, it took him from respected journeyman to beloved superstar. As Nelson returns to the road, the only surviving member of the classic lineup of his Family band is Mickey Raphael, 73, whose harmonica has duetted for decades with the Willie warble. Bassist Bee Spears died in 2011. Guitarist and backup singer Jody Payne died in 2013. Drummer Paul English died in 2020. And Nelson's sister Bobbie Nelson, his only sibling and his piano player, died in 2022. But the band he takes on the road now is just as familial in its own way. It often includes his sons Lukas and Micah. English's brother Billy plays the drums. The son of Payne and singer Sammi Smith, Waylon Payne, plays guitar September will bring the 40th anniversary addition of Farm Aid, the annual festival to support family farmers, which Nelson founded with Neil Young and John Mellencamp, He performs there annually. It was inspired by one-off charity concerts like "Live Aid," but became an annual institution, rotating each year to a different farm-adjacent city. It's in Minneapolis this year.
Wall Street Journal
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
Willie Nelson's ‘Red Headed Stranger' Turns 50
Willie Nelson wasn't always a household name. A gifted songwriter, he penned 'Crazy,' 'Hello Walls' and 'Pretty Paper,' but all were country hits for others in the early 1960s. As a recording artist, starting in 1956, Mr. Nelson initially struggled. His first LPs, for Liberty, failed to chart, and while his second, third and fourth for RCA landed in the top 10 of Billboard's country chart, a nine-album dry spell followed until RCA dropped him in 1972. Mr. Nelson's next two for Atlantic also underperformed. Then, in 1975, he was signed to Columbia by Bruce Lundvall, who granted him complete creative control of his music. Mr. Nelson's 18th studio album and his first for the label, 'Red Headed Stranger' was a huge success following its release 50 years ago this month. The album reached No. 1 on Billboard's country chart and peaked at No. 28 on the pop chart, selling a half-million copies by March 1976. The LP put Mr. Nelson on track to superstardom, compelled Nashville to take outlaw country seriously, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002. His contract quickly became a model for outlaw country artists, and his signature relaxed approach was an inspiration.
