Willie Nelson is a treasure, pure and simple. One of the strongest, coolest voices to ever emerge from the country world, Nelson is also a ferociously talented guitarist, top notch songwriter, tireless performer and an inspired interpreter of other's material on par with greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. Yesterday, Willie turned 77-years-old and we couldn't let the occasion pass without tipping our hat to him. In his honor we've rolled up a sampling of some choice moments in his long, long career. Damn, we're glad we've shared this past near-century with you, mister!
We begin with a smoking version of one of Willie's most beloved songs.
Beneath the braids and clouds of smoke, Nelson can be one smooth character. He draws from Brazilian and tango strains on this number, which features Emmylou Harris.
No salute to Willie would be complete without this one, but we're gonna let his friend and fellow Highwayman handle this one. Nifty, slightly melancholy reading.
The man really sings about drinking very, very well.
Willie has done his part to keep the tradition of cowboy songs alive. Here he is with pal Johnny Cash singing one of the finest trail tunes ever.
It's not just for Muppets anymore! This is the sort of thing that makes Willie an adored icon across MANY generations.
Here's “The Lost Highwaymen" - Keith Richards, Hank Williams III, Ryan Adams and Willie - doing a Stones classic.
Willie has done duets with nearly every noteworthy singer of the past 50 years. He seems to live and breath when entwining his voice with another's, but as far afield as he's roamed, this pairing with Sinead O'Connor on Peter Gabriel's tune couldn't have been predicted.
Nelson has made a number of films but this is the only one with Morgan Fairchild.
We wrap with a little ditty that Patsy Cline made famous but Willie penned. Classic stuff, but one can say that about a lot of things with Willie.
