Photos: Willie Nelson through the years

Celebrities

Willie Nelson through the years

Willie Nelson was born April 29, 1933. Take a look at the Red Headed Stranger's life.

Willie Nelson backstage at the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin in 1972.

Willie Nelson in 1962.

Mayor Roy Butler and Willie Nelson.

Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings at the Bull Creek Party Barn in Austin in 1975.

Family photo of Bobbie (left) and Willie Nelson circa 1973.

Willie Nelson joins Doug Sahm on stage at Willie's 1976 Picnic.

Standing, left to right: Tompall Glaser, RCA's Harry Jenkins, Jerry Bradley, and Chet Atkins. Seated, left to right: Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, and Willie Nelson. All are holding Charley Pride albums.

Willie Nelson in 1982.

Willie Nelsonn shakes hands with Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ann Richards in Austin prior to a fundraising concert for her campaign in 1990. Nelson made the gesture saying that a gentleman should always shake a lady's hand, in reference to Republican candidate Clayton Williams refusal to do so the day before.

Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings at KLRU studio during the taping of the Willie Nelson 60th birthday special.

Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson backstage at Farm Aid 1999 in Bristow, Va.

Willie Nelson performs at Southpark Meadows during Willie's Picnic on the Fourth of July in 2000.

Willie Nelson signs autographs backstage at South Park Meadows during Willie's Picnic on the Fourth of July in 2000.

A woman from the audience hands Willie Nelson a bouquet of flowers just before he begins playing. Nelson and the Austin Symphony christened the new Austin City Limits studio at the W Hotel in 2000.

Music star Willie Nelson films a country music video in Downtown Austin in December 2001. Nelson rides a horse down East Ninth Street as extras walk through the scene. Nelson was making the video with Lee Ann Womack.

Willie Nelson at the start of his 10K run for Farm Aid at Auditorium Shores in 2001. Willie participated in the 2K "mosey" but ran across the starting line.

Willie Nelson was inducted into the second annual Austin Film Society's Texas Film Hall of Fame in 2002. Nelson has 20 feature films under his belt, including his performance in "Honeysuckle Rose."

Willie Nelson on his bus before a concert, with a New Balance shoe on his table with his name embroidered on it. He participated in 10K and Mosey run for the Farm Aid run and concert event in Austin in 2002. The shoe with his name on it was given to him at this event courtesy of New Balance and RunTex.

Willie Nelson plays the first of a two night stand at Stubb's in May 2001 in celebration of the fifth anniversary of the venue.

Lucinda Williams and Willie Nelson listen to Billy Joe Shaver's acceptance speech after they presented him with the Hall of Fame award during the Austin Music Awards on in March 2003.

Willie Nelson performs at his Fourth of July Picnic at Two River Canyon Amphitheatre in 2003.

Willie Nelson during a 2002 concert at Auditorium Shores in Austin.

After singing "Georgia On My Mind," Willie Nelson seems overcome as he and the Rev. Jesse Jackson embrace during funeral services for Ray Charles at First AME Church in Los Angeles on Friday, June 18, 2004.

Country music legend Willie Nelson gets to know one-year-old Andrew Dittmar at the grand opening of Nelson's Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Austin on Thursday Dec. 16, 2004. Andrew's mother, Kimberly Dittmar, won a KVET contest to get to meet Willie Nelson.

Willie Nelson performs at the Austin Music Hall on November 15, 2004.

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Willie Nelson backstage at the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin in 1972.

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