The Hollywood Bowl was the place to be this weekend as Willie Nelson celebrated his 90th birthday in style. The two-night event, dubbed “Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90,” was a powerhouse of musical talent, with an all-star lineup that included Snoop Dogg, Chris Stapleton, The Chicks, Tom Jones, and many more.
Musician Lyle Lovett, who performed at the concert, said, “This is one of those weekends that people are going to be talking about forever.” He went on to say that the lineup of performers “shows the power of Willie Nelson.”
The first three hours of the concert saw Chris Stapleton and The Chicks take the stage, followed by a performance from Kris Kristofferson and Rosanne Cash, who sang “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again).” The crowd was on their feet, giving a standing ovation, as Kristofferson and Cash walked off the stage.
Tom Jones, who was introduced by Helen Mirren, took the stage next and marveled at Willie Nelson’s vitality, saying, “I’m 83, I have something to look forward to.” Other performers included Bob Weir, Miranda Lambert, Jack Johnson, and George Strait, just to name a few.
Willie Nelson finally took the stage more than three hours into the concert, joining Neil Young for “Are There Any More Real Cowboys?” He sang two songs with George Strait before bringing Snoop Dogg to the stage for a performance of “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.”
The birthday boy closed out the show with a powerful performance of “On the Road Again,” followed by “Happy Birthday to Me,” and Mac Davis’ classic, “It’s Hard to Be Humble.” As the final standing ovation took place, Willie Nelson threw his cowboy hat into the crowd, saying, “We’ll see you tomorrow night.”
The weekend birthday concerts also featured performances from Beck, Billy Strings, Edie Brickell, Emmylou Harris, Gary Clark Jr., Norah Jones, Sturgill Simpson, The Lumineers, Tyler Childers, and many more. The list of performers was carefully curated, featuring Willie Nelson’s close friends and family of musicians that he has recorded or toured with.
In conclusion, Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday celebration was a star-studded event to remember, showcasing the power of Willie Nelson and his impact on the music world.
