Willie Nelson’s Epic 90th Birthday Party Featured Surprise Guests, Unforgettable Collabs

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Pictured (L-R): Willie Nelson and Keith Richards. Photo: Randall Michelson/Hewitt Silva-Live Nation

Willie Nelson celebrated his 90th birthday on April 29 and 30 with a series of all-star performances honoring the legacy of the country legend, billed as “Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90, A Star-Studded Concert Celebrating Willie’s 90th Birthday at the Hollywood Bowl.”

Snoop Dogg and Willie Nelson perform on night one of Long Story Short. Photo Credit: Joshua Timmermans

The epic 90th birthday party was a who’s who of musical greats, with everyone from surprise guest Keith Richards to George Strait showing up to pay tribute to Nelson at the celebration. The lineup of artists included Beck, Billy Strings, Bob Weir, Buddy Cannon, Chris Stapleton, Daniel Lanois, Dave Matthews, Dwight Yoakam, Emmylou Harris, Gary Clark Jr., Jack Johnson, Jamey Johnson, Kris Kristofferson, Leon Bridges, Lily Meola, Lukas Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Margo Price, Miranda Lambert, Nathaniel Rateliff, Neil Young, Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow, Shooter Jennings, Snoop Dogg, Stephen Stills, Sturgill Simpson, The Avett Brothers, The Lumineers, Tom Jones, Tyler Childers, Ziggy Marley, and many more.

Some of the weekend’s highlights included Kris Kristofferson returning to the stage; Stephen Stills reuniting onstage with Neil Young for “Long May You Run;” Chris Stapleton’s rendition of “Always On My Mind;” Willie and Snoop Dogg’s “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die;” Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson, Micah Nelson, Shooter Jennings and Roseanne Cash performing “The Highwaymen;” and Willie and Keith Richards’ duet for “We Had It All” and “Live Forever.”

Kris Kristofferson and Norah Jones. Photo Credit: Randall Michelson/Hewitt Silva-Live Nation

The star-studded celebration also featured special tributes and presentations by comedians Chelsea Handler and Gabriel Iglesias, as well as actors Ethan Hawke, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner, Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson.

Prior to the concert on Saturday, Council-member Nithya Raman and the Los Angeles City Council declared Willie’s birthday, April 29, 2023, as “Willie Nelson Day” in the City of Los Angeles. Council-member Raman, along with Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and Supervisor Kathryn Barger presented Willie with commemorative plaques backstage at the event.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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