Probably since none of his early studio albums sold well. It was not until his 1975 album, Red-Headed Stranger, his first for Columbia/CBS Records, that his fortunes began turning around. His 1973 album Shotgun Willie, the first of two he did for Atlantic Records following his move from Nashville back to Austin (the other being 1974's Phases and Stages), only hinted at what was to come.
Mr. Nelson was always great it just took a few years for the rest of the world to get the opportunity to hear him and come to that same conclusion. And with age and experience he became amazing. And still is. I have been a fan since the 80s. I'm celebrating my 50th birthday today and I'm listening to a lot of Willie, and all the rest of the best and brightest. Thank you Mr Nelson for over fifty years of music and songs and making birthday party's and barrooms happy and fun, I hope to be wishing you a happy birthday and enjoying your music on my 100th birthday and enjoying your newest hit. I hope your next 80 years is just as amazing and wonderful as the first. 😎
That was back in 1965... he didn't let it all grow out until 1975! And, on his first Opry appearance, they billed him as "Woody" Nelson, and he quit the Opry within a year.
I have never seen him that young and clean looking even though I am old too. I am shocked. I did not become interest in country music to much later in life.
I saw Willie at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Ok. in 1967 or 68 and he looked pretty much like this. My date and I were standing at the side of the stage and he turned, looked at us and gave us the most beautiful smile. I have always loved the unique quality of his voice. There is only one Willie.
This is what Willie looked like when he would come every morning to play golf with our DJ at KPCN Radio. Always kind, thoughtful and such a gentleman. One Saturday he asked us to come to Panther Hall, He was in concert there... He picked up the check, and we were "ringside", Funny but you never forget those little things. I knew he was great. I did not know that for 50 more years I would hear his genius in almost every venue of music one could hear. What a giant!
He was in our town playing a show one time, We would play golf every Saturday morning, and that one morning in walks Wilie to play a round. He couldnt have been more gracious, courteous and kind. Never forget it. Pretty good golfer as well.
Tell willy he looked better then Instead of looking like a wood tick riding on a wild a woolly dog but im still glad that he bridged the gap between hippies and cowboys cause im a little of both
Willie Nelson has written some of the most beautiful and memorable songs of all time. Only a couple of years after Patsy Cline's death and it almost seems as if he's having a bit of a struggle with his emotions singing Crazy. Thank you Willie Nelson, you're the greatest. 💙 Soundtrack of my youth 🎼🖤
When Willie wrote Crazy for Patsy, he first titled the song "Stupid." She refused to sing it, so he changed the name to Crazy. Don't believe me? Google it. That's what Willie told Ken Burns in 2019.
I knew but giving you a like for the honest comment. Yes, he commented when they asked if he felt ripped off because he didn't get paid very much for it. He said, it got me groceries that week and enough to get by on. I have no regrets after hearing Patsy do my song. Something to that effect.
"Let's see, in one week I wrote 'Crazy,' 'Funny How Time Slips Away' and 'Night Life' ... That's when I decided maybe to go to Nashville," ... Willie Nelson
There are two rights to a song -- recording and publishing. If memory serves me, I think he sold only the recording rights -- not the publishing (or got the publishing rights back later). This is important -- anyone else who wanted to record Crazy (and tons of people have) would have to cut him in on it. Furthermore, jukebox money goes to whoever has the publishing rights. Crazy is the most-played song in the history of American jukeboxes. Nelson probably would have been independently wealthy just from the jukebox money from Crazy.
@@rickceasor9981 No, not this one. By the time he wrote Crazy he was well established with a solid publishing company and knew better than to sell anything outright. Early in his writing career, he did sell at least 2 songs outright, the most notable of which was Family Bible. He did offer to sell Hello Walls to Faron Young, but instead Young gave him a $500 loan on the condition that Nelson didn't sell the song to anyone. Nelson's *first royalty check for Hello Walls was somewhere around $14,000, so there would not have been any reason for Nelson to even considering selling any of his songs from then on.
Jeffery Keown Are you just being stupid or do you think that is funny? Being a nice person has nothing to do with getting hooked on drugs so not sure what your point is but don't care either.
@@dorismc1712 It's hilarious in Willie's case. Some stars project an image of purity only to be complete deviants in their real lives. He looks totally clean in that video, yet he's a pothead and a user of narcotic shrooms.
Umm..dont know where you've been dude ..but willie is a pot head from way back in the 1970's at least even been busted .. so what era did you wake up from??
@@flyerbob124 I'm sure he did, but I was visualizing that scene in the TV show Taxi when Jim Ignatowski tried weed for the first time. ruclips.net/video/WmCYaZFjwtM/видео.html Go to 2:45
In '65 when I was a young teen, I never heard or saw this guy!! I do remember, though, in the 70s, when the Willie Nelson that we all know & love made his hits!
@@coffeefish I'm pretty sure that he was no angel!!! But, he did have a good voice and had a few good songs!! My 13 yr old grandson, who likes rap & all, but also country, has discovered Willie as a fav!🤷♀️
In the early 60’s my dad worked at a country radio station in Ft. Worth. Willie came by asking if he could play a few of his songs. They became great friends, & Willie went on to become the icon he is. Such great memories.
How I barely remember Willie here at 32-years old. Then 56-years of being "rode hard and put up wet". However, there is still no mistaking that totally unique Willie voice. Here is to another 56-years, Willie.
Even though she had been gone 2 years when Willie taped this, he clearly chokes up while singing "Crazy." His love and admiration for Patsy was immense, and he has said on many occasions that Patsy turning that song into a huge hit was one of the biggest honors of his life.
Not long after this he decided he was tired of being screwed over and said "F*** it, I'm doin' it MY way from now on!" and the world hasn't been the same since...
I was fortunate enough to meet this great talented man at the Kennedy Centers Honors one year. He was so nice and soft spoken. People don't often realize the genius song writer behind so many of our great songs. His son has his voice too!
Hard to believe, as I am a few months from 80, how Willie Nelson has been a regular part of American music for so long. Outlasted so many. Nobody has a bad word for Willie, and I don’t think I ever heard a song from him that wasn’t great.
A clean cut Willie Nelson, who knew, he was such a good looking man! His song writing brilliance has given us so many songs, sung by so many different artists over the years, including himself. Grateful for his talents.
I love Willie past to present. He is a American icon and has brought great music to us for many years.... Who cares if Willie likes his little harmless fun things... He had gave us so much for years. Thank you Willie for all you have given us... I love you man....
I never saw Willie this far back before 56 years ago, that man can sing. Hard to reconcile this clean cut dude with bearded & bandanna Willie I’ve seen most of my adult life.
I had the privilage of meeting Willie at Primm, NV after his show. What a great American, singer,songwrter & friend to the downtroden. He was so gracious. My dead hubby's favorite-Forever on My Mind. My God Bless his life, family & friend/fans, of whom I'm blessed to be one
Yep, funny how time siips away. So thankful you are still with us Willie. Gorgeous voice. He chose some great covers, works by other great songwriters, in addition to singing his own wonderful tunes. And he's so sad singing Crazy, just after Patsy Cline died, he can barely get through it.
He was SOO BEAUTIFUL!!! Truly a handsomely, gorgeous man!! Even back then, you can instantly recognize his wonderfully unique talent!!! There were so many great singer/song writers during this era, but Willie stands out because his songs seem to touch your soul.....
Oh Willie how I love this beautiful video My how beautiful you sound as you still to this day I am so proud of you and all your accomplishments. God bless you
God bless you too 🙏❤️. Thanks for watching and commenting on my RUclips channel hope you don’t stop with your love and support. Text me via email Willienelson332@gmail
Saw him years ago in a little bar/dance hall in AZ. Back then his hair was in a little Dutch boy cut. Must have been the beginning of letting grow long. He certainly was one of the greatest song writers in history. Glen Campbell recorded a Christmas song he wrote called Pretty Paper. So many of his songs recorded by other artists. He had such a great delivery of his own songs though.
This is what Willie Nelson looked like when we met. We've now have been friends for 55 years. I'm so blessed to have him in my life. Thank you You Tube and of course our adorable Merrianne. I'm ever so thankful
My exhusband was a drummer and used to jam with Willie. He said you really have to pay attention when backing him, with his unique way of singing. I miss the old Willie.
This footage is from sometime after March 5th 1963 (the date Patsy Cline died) - The album the announcer refers to, 'Willie Nelson - And Then I Wrote' came out on Lp in late 1962 - Patsy Cline had passed away in March '63 not too long before this performance was filmed for a TV special which was filmed at the Grand Old Opry. When Willie introduces the song 'Crazy' he chokes up when he starts talking about it, "the ladies name was Patsy Cline and the song was 'Crazy'..." As he starts the song when he says the opening line, "I'm Crazy," his voice breaks and he has tears in his eyes and he fights back tears all thru the song.
@@sp_ceace3235 You're absolutely right on the choking up. In all the other songs, he's in absolute command of his phrasing and he's focused. The first two lines of Crazy were, by his standard, a lot wobbly .. and he looked distracted or like he was trying to distract himself from his own emotions. He recovered pretty well by line 3. It's beautiful to see this vulnerable moment.
@@JRobbySh Well, Willie never was a real singer like Jim Reeves or Marty Robbins was - those guys had "golden throats" as they say, but Willie has always had a very unique singing voice that's recognizable and unforgettable - you either love him or hate him. His Outlaw period in the 70's and the later 80's albums he made show he had a very refined voice even if he does sing thru his nose as a lot of people say. I've met him and seen and heard him sing as close to me as the monitor screen I'm looking at back in 1985 and I'll tell you one thing for certain - the man could sing - then. He did 'Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain' which requires some throat singing as some of the notes are not in the nasal region and he was dead on in key and even in tempo. The last decade or so he has really suffered in the vocal department and as you say, he talks his songs rather than sings them. Merle Haggard suffered from the same thing in his later years (the last decade or so of his stunning career) - I've got 95% of everything both of them ever recorded and as they aged their voices just got rougher and they seem to have lesser wind to sing with. It happens as you age. They can't hit the high notes as the voice gets deeper, and some songs had to lowered in the key they sang. Even still the lowest of the low notes were just gone too. I think all that smoking (cigs & weed) hurts their voice eventually. I have a friend who has had a stellar career in Contemporary Christian Music since the 70's - his voice range has always been very high but he smokes a pipe and cigars and has done this for many years. The poor guy can barely sing now having much to do with his age (he's 70 now) but the smoking doesn't help, it only hurts.
I had to read all of the comments b4 I could figure out how to put my feelimgs into words. I am 71, and of course I have heard and enjoyed Willi's music for my lifetime. I didn't always follow country as I was a fan of the Beatles until about 1966 when the melodies stopped. But I do remember Patsy Cline and her memorable rendition of 'Crazy'. Years later a very young KD Lang sang it with the same passion. It was done best by a female voice and the story relates quite well to the way many women feel when a man they love puts them out of their lives. Willi is that kind of song writer. He 'feels' the words he writes and he opens up the wounds for all to see. To me his writing describes the sadness when love goes away. His voice is so mellow and rich. I had never seen him as a young man, he was quite handsome. Before life wrote all over his face you could see the raw emotion on it. What a fabulous voice and song writer! How blessed we are to have him! Live long, and happy, Willi. New fans are born every day. God bless you.
Creative people...no matter what their art form are dedicated, amazing and driven. Willy is one of those talents that cannot be denied. Musicians in all areas...no matter the genre admire him...let's remember the collaboration of Trent Reznor (9 Inch Nails)and Johnny Cash! I am sure Willy has influenced many generations of artists. Many thanks for the positive feedback. I like reading intelligent observations and I am sure music is a big part of your lives, too.
What a great ear for singing ! Note how he is fully involved in the music, and smooth as hell. Great ! (FYI .. I first saw him in Chicago. He was back-up to a band called Poco, who was popular at the time. Well, Poco cancelled last minute, some emergency. On the door was placed an apology from the band .. I believe offering a refund, or if one would care to stay & see the back-up band, Willie Nelson. I had heard a little bit prior to that. Willie was awesome ! (Probably early 70's ?)
Notice how he barely holds it together when he gets to "Crazy." Patsy's death was still recent at this time, and he is visibly moved and performs it with difficulty...
When Willie Nelson first started singing he had a tough time with so much competition! Then at one show he came on stage with his red bandana across his forehead and a real star was born. He became an icon of country music. So talented. What the hell are we going to do when he leaves us?
Willie and Waylon and all the outlaws....It is in your soul and there is nothing ya can do to change that and who would want to ? Rock on Willie! ANNIE
Willie Nelson said a few years ago, "I know it is hard to believe, but there once was a young Willie Nelson." Now it's getting even harder.
I was just thinking the same thing.
Probably since none of his early studio albums sold well. It was not until his 1975 album, Red-Headed Stranger, his first for Columbia/CBS Records, that his fortunes began turning around. His 1973 album Shotgun Willie, the first of two he did for Atlantic Records following his move from Nashville back to Austin (the other being 1974's Phases and Stages), only hinted at what was to come.
@@ClassicTVMan1981X That's not what I was thinking of. I was doing the eyeball test.
Mr. Nelson was always great it just took a few years for the rest of the world to get the opportunity to hear him and come to that same conclusion. And with age and experience he became amazing. And still is. I have been a fan since the 80s. I'm celebrating my 50th birthday today and I'm listening to a lot of Willie, and all the rest of the best and brightest. Thank you Mr Nelson for over fifty years of music and songs and making birthday party's and barrooms happy and fun, I hope to be wishing you a happy birthday and enjoying your music on my 100th birthday and enjoying your newest hit. I hope your next 80 years is just as amazing and wonderful as the first. 😎
90 years old, right?
It's so weird seeing him all cleaned up.
I passed on a Willie album at the thrift store because he looked like this and I wasn't sure if there was a different Willie Nelson lol
That was back in 1965... he didn't let it all grow out until 1975! And, on his first Opry appearance, they billed him as "Woody" Nelson, and he quit the Opry within a year.
He actually was handsome.
He wrote a lot of amazing songs...
Rite after this show, he smoked some hemp with the stage crew..
It's so weird to hear Willie Nelson's voice coming out of that clean-cut guy in a suit.
I have never seen him that young and clean looking even though I am old too. I am shocked. I did not become interest in country music to much later in life.
And then he discovered weed.
@@jmsaylor22 I was looking for this comment. 😂🤣😂🤣
Thumbnail made him look like Regis Philbin
The blues are a funny thing
When country was good and wasn't just pandering
55 years later and he is still performing. Long live Willie!
He might die
He'll never die
When we go to Heaven, we wont die
We dont die if we're Christians 💯
@@kjj6944 It's all a fantasy, but if it makes you feel better dream on.
@@brodie2005thegamer A lot of 87 year olds die. Most people don't live that long.
@edsmith438 TRUE: WE ARN'T HERE FOR VERY LONG, EVERY DAY SHOULD BE ENJOYED IN THE BEST WAY..
I saw Willie at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Ok. in 1967 or 68 and he looked pretty much like this. My date and I were standing at the side of the stage and he turned, looked at us and gave us the most beautiful smile. I have always loved the unique quality of his voice. There is only one Willie.
Hello Charlie, how is things going with you?
Or is there? 🧐😁🤣
This is what Willie looked like when he would come every morning to play golf with our DJ at KPCN Radio. Always kind, thoughtful and such a gentleman. One Saturday he asked us to come to Panther Hall, He was in concert there... He picked up the check, and we were "ringside", Funny but you never forget those little things. I knew he was great. I did not know that for 50 more years I would hear his genius in almost every venue of music one could hear. What a giant!
What a fabulous memory. Willie emanates decency.
Was that the panther hall he recorded an album at ?
He was in our town playing a show one time, We would play golf every Saturday morning, and that one morning in walks Wilie to play a round. He couldnt have been more gracious, courteous and kind. Never forget it. Pretty good golfer as well.
Thank you for sharing that sweet story about a legend I've been listening to since before I can remember.
Tell willy he looked better then
Instead of looking like a wood tick riding on a wild a woolly dog but im still glad that he bridged the gap between hippies and cowboys cause im a little of both
Ich kenn Ihn, dank AFN seit ca. 1965 und ich Liebe diese Art an Musik bis heute..
Willie Nelson has written some of the most beautiful and memorable songs of all time. Only a couple of years after Patsy Cline's death and it almost seems as if he's having a bit of a struggle with his emotions singing Crazy. Thank you Willie Nelson, you're the greatest. 💙
Soundtrack of my youth 🎼🖤
Yeah... Willy once said Patsy took my little song and made it a classic....or something to that effect
When Willie wrote Crazy for Patsy, he first titled the song "Stupid." She refused to sing it, so he changed the name to Crazy. Don't believe me? Google it. That's what Willie told Ken Burns in 2019.
If you grew up in the 70s Willie and Waylon's "Outlaws" album was on your top 10 most played list.
@@Dr.Pepper001 he said the same thing at one of his 'Willie and Friends' concerts before singing it
I never knew He wrote Crazy. Wow!
I knew but giving you a like for the honest comment. Yes, he commented when they asked if he felt ripped off because he didn't get paid very much for it. He said, it got me groceries that week and enough to get by on. I have no regrets after hearing Patsy do my song. Something to that effect.
Are you crazy
Yep.
"Let's see, in one week I wrote 'Crazy,' 'Funny How Time Slips Away' and 'Night Life' ... That's when I decided maybe to go to Nashville," ... Willie Nelson
He nearly breaks up when he starts singing Crazy because Patsy had died not too long before this..
Actually he wanted to cry, because he sold the rights to that song for $100.00 .............
@@rickceasor9981 Are you serious? Wow....
There are two rights to a song -- recording and publishing.
If memory serves me, I think he sold only the recording rights -- not the publishing (or got the publishing rights back later).
This is important -- anyone else who wanted to record Crazy (and tons of people have) would have to cut him in on it.
Furthermore, jukebox money goes to whoever has the publishing rights. Crazy is the most-played song in the history of American jukeboxes. Nelson probably would have been independently wealthy just from the jukebox money from Crazy.
Yes... when Cline scored a massive hit with Crazy -- it changed his life.
@@rickceasor9981 No, not this one. By the time he wrote Crazy he was well established with a solid publishing company and knew better than to sell anything outright. Early in his writing career, he did sell at least 2 songs outright, the most notable of which was Family Bible. He did offer to sell Hello Walls to Faron Young, but instead Young gave him a $500 loan on the condition that Nelson didn't sell the song to anyone. Nelson's *first royalty check for Hello Walls was somewhere around $14,000, so there would not have been any reason for Nelson to even considering selling any of his songs from then on.
The beard can't hide his classic voice.
What a nice young man... I bet he'll never get messed up on drugs and alcohol...
Jeffery Keown Are you just being stupid or do you think that is funny? Being a nice person has nothing to do with getting hooked on drugs so not sure what your point is but don't care either.
@@dorismc1712 It's hilarious in Willie's case. Some stars project an image of purity only to be complete deviants in their real lives. He looks totally clean in that video, yet he's a pothead and a user of narcotic shrooms.
Umm..dont know where you've been dude ..but willie is a pot head from way back in the 1970's at least even been busted .. so what era did you wake up from??
@@debbiebalnaves4842 Are you addressing me? Or someone else (the only other choice, really)?
He seems pretty happy to me , hows your life going ?
Two weeks later, he discovered weed and became the Willie we all know and love.
I think he found weed long before this.
@@flyerbob124 I'm sure he did, but I was visualizing that scene in the TV show Taxi when Jim Ignatowski tried weed for the first time.
ruclips.net/video/WmCYaZFjwtM/видео.html
Go to 2:45
In '65 when I was a young teen, I never heard or saw this guy!! I do remember, though, in the 70s, when the Willie Nelson that we all know & love made his hits!
A slim few of us know him, and we certainly don't all love him either. Pull your head out of your butt.
@@coffeefish I'm pretty sure that he was no angel!!! But, he did have a good voice and had a few good songs!! My 13 yr old grandson, who likes rap & all, but also country, has discovered Willie as a fav!🤷♀️
Willie's voice grows only richer and richer as he ages.
This exemplifies why Willie is one of the greatest song writers in music history.
And this is in 1965. He was just getting started.
In the early 60’s my dad worked at a country radio station in Ft. Worth. Willie came by asking if he could play a few of his songs. They became great friends, & Willie went on to become the icon he is. Such great memories.
Insane!! Love to hear storys like this
Not surprising, early 60s he was struggling HARD to find work😢
Only in the good ol USA could a man like willie become an icon for 50 years.
There was an English guy called Paul McCartney and also Mick Jagger, Tom Jones is still around.
How I barely remember Willie here at 32-years old. Then 56-years of being "rode hard and put up wet". However, there is still no mistaking that totally unique Willie voice. Here is to another 56-years, Willie.
Even though she had been gone 2 years when Willie taped this, he clearly chokes up while singing "Crazy." His love and admiration for Patsy was immense, and he has said on many occasions that Patsy turning that song into a huge hit was one of the biggest honors of his life.
Willie...before the beard, long hair, dope & Trigger. He still had the hits.
Not before the dope, he just didn't talk about it
@@andrewkling9530 facts
The dude was smoking pounds of the kush right about the time this was made
Geez, he smokes weed, it's not like he's some kind of strung-out junkie or something. He was just ahead of a lot of us.
@@edwardknoch4987 let him stay ahead.
Not long after this he decided he was tired of being screwed over and said "F*** it, I'm doin' it MY way from now on!" and the world hasn't been the same since...
He sure was handsome in his younger days.
Boy was he.
we all were
He still is.
Still awesome all these years later!
Happy Birthday 87th Birthday Willie! Keep it strong!
Hello Diana, how is things going with you?
Willie, incredible now, incredible then.
Incredible writer for sure. Singer not so much. So typical though.
Willie Nelson is such a treasure. You know he'd be the kind of guy to welcome you in and offer you a bowl
I like to believe he reached a point in his life where he started not caring what people think about him and just was himself
Which is an artist
Oh... That's an artist. Guess that makes everybody's grandmother an artist.
@@swampgumpharpy7977 thats why they knit
Hell of a songwriter.
I was fortunate enough to meet this great talented man at the Kennedy Centers Honors one year. He was so nice and soft spoken. People don't often realize the genius song writer behind so many of our great songs. His son has his voice too!
He is a brilliant lyricist.
Hard to believe, as I am a few months from 80, how Willie Nelson has been a regular part of American music for so long. Outlasted so many. Nobody has a bad word for Willie, and I don’t think I ever heard a song from him that wasn’t great.
He sure has changed a lot but he still one of the best country singer on the planet. 🙏
A clean cut Willie Nelson, who knew, he was such a good looking man! His song writing brilliance has given us so many songs, sung by so many different artists over the years, including himself. Grateful for his talents.
In this, for those who have eyes to see, Nelson’s Cherokee heritage shines brightly; funny how time slips away . . .
You mean the big ears, hairline, higher wider than normal cheeks and the nose?
@@seecanon5840 Not sure what “normal” means, but I was referring to cultural mannerisms not physical attributes.
🌬🎙
@@UncleWally3 Exactly what cultural mannerisms?
He doesn’t have any Cherokee ancestry, his family tree is available online
Wow. That voice...Thank You Willie.
I like Willie ,dressed up or dressed down he sounds good.
2020 who’s listening?
Me
2021
Cody Olsen, Not me!
Late 2023 you listening?
I'm listening on March 25, 2024. It is strange to see Willie with that short hair and in a suit.
Because a suit makes him a better human being?
He was good before the drugs, he was good after the drugs, and his brain never rotted.
It's just pot ..
@@nailakoo7293 And he was smoking when this was made.
As fresh and relevant in 2021 as it was in the 60s
Can't mistake that voice!!!
Gorgeous just gorgeous. In a suit and then to go from this to the hill billy he is now but I still love his laid back style of singing.
Such a great songwriter. All of his songs have memorable lyrics and a melody that just grabs you. Truly one of the greatest songwriters EVER.
Willy sure looks great! I like this look! & his sound
With that phrasing, He's the Frank Sinatra of Country. Those lyrics are some of the best poetry of the pre-counterculture 1960's.
Frank Sinatra is the Pop version of Willie. Compliments deserve each other, well-deserved. A question: What did Sinatra ever write?
It's like seeing our parents when they were young.
STILL THE BEST, THANK YOU WILLIE.
HOW TRUE 🚶♂️🎸
There are literally fans in the audience. Sweat memories of the days without air conditioning in large venues!
I love Willie past to present. He is a American icon and has brought great music to us for many years.... Who cares if Willie likes his little harmless fun things... He had gave us so much for years. Thank you Willie for all you have given us... I love you man....
Oh my goodness I sure do remember Willie back then and was enjoying his music then too ❤❤❤
I never saw Willie this far back before 56 years ago, that man can sing. Hard to reconcile this clean cut dude with bearded & bandanna Willie I’ve seen most of my adult life.
Happy belated 90th birthday Willie!
Nelson looks like he's about to testify before a grand jury.
My all time favorite since I was a preteen and now I’m a senior.
Willie has always had his own style and remarkable vocal phrasings. Still kickin’ it 57 years later!
I had the privilage of meeting Willie at Primm, NV after his show. What a great American, singer,songwrter & friend to the downtroden. He was so gracious. My dead hubby's favorite-Forever on My Mind. My God Bless his life, family & friend/fans, of whom I'm blessed to be one
Hello Betty, how is things going with you?
One of the greatest period in any genre!
Now that's is Personality. One-of-a-Kind.
Yep, funny how time siips away. So thankful you are still with us Willie. Gorgeous voice. He chose some great covers, works by other great songwriters, in addition to singing his own wonderful tunes. And he's so sad singing Crazy, just after Patsy Cline died, he can barely get through it.
Wow..he was sooo handsome back then.
He was SOO BEAUTIFUL!!! Truly a handsomely, gorgeous man!! Even back then, you can instantly recognize his wonderfully unique talent!!! There were so many great singer/song writers during this era, but Willie stands out because his songs seem to touch your soul.....
Hello Darlene, how is things going with you?
Willie is a masterful guitarist in addition to his incredible talent as a songwriter and singer. The sounds that he coaxes from Trigger are so unique.
A great songwriter - a great singer - one of the few who are worthy of walking in the footsteps of Hank Sr.
Oh Willie how I love this beautiful video My how beautiful you sound as you still to this day I am so proud of you and all your accomplishments. God bless you
God bless you too 🙏❤️. Thanks for watching and commenting on my RUclips channel hope you don’t stop with your love and support. Text me via email Willienelson332@gmail
Saw him years ago in a little bar/dance hall in AZ. Back then his hair was in a little Dutch boy cut. Must have been the beginning of letting grow long. He certainly was one of the greatest song writers in history. Glen Campbell recorded a Christmas song he wrote called Pretty Paper. So many of his songs recorded by other artists. He had such a great delivery of his own songs though.
Willie's been around forever - thank god
I love him then and I love him now!!!
I hate country music but I love Willie Nelson and I love to hear him sing. Kinda crazy 😜. Makes no sense to me.
This is what Willie Nelson looked like when we met. We've now have been friends for 55 years. I'm so blessed to have him in my life. Thank you You Tube and of course our adorable Merrianne. I'm ever so thankful
You're really friends with Willie nelson?
still singing the same old songs that we all love! Easier on the eyes back then, but he's still fab and No 1 in my book.
Hello Karen, how is things going with you?
I smile every time I see or hear Willie.
My exhusband was a drummer and used to jam with Willie. He said you really have to pay attention when backing him, with his unique way of singing. I miss the old Willie.
Hello Delora, how is things going with you?
Happy 80th birthday, Willie Nelson! Thank you for so many years of great music. You are truly a man who deserves to see 80 more years.
Willie could be anything he wanted to be...He was good then...and he is most certainly good now..
This footage is from sometime after March 5th 1963 (the date Patsy Cline died) - The album the announcer refers to, 'Willie Nelson - And Then I Wrote' came out on Lp in late 1962 - Patsy Cline had passed away in March '63 not too long before this performance was filmed for a TV special which was filmed at the Grand Old Opry. When Willie introduces the song 'Crazy' he chokes up when he starts talking about it, "the ladies name was Patsy Cline and the song was 'Crazy'..." As he starts the song when he says the opening line, "I'm Crazy," his voice breaks and he has tears in his eyes and he fights back tears all thru the song.
Nah he doesn't choke up, he's just talking
@@bourbonsands8042 i gad to rewatch after your comment and he did choke up
@@sp_ceace3235 You're absolutely right on the choking up.
In all the other songs, he's in absolute command of his phrasing and he's focused.
The first two lines of Crazy were, by his standard, a lot wobbly .. and he looked distracted or like he was trying to distract himself from his own emotions.
He recovered pretty well by line 3.
It's beautiful to see this vulnerable moment.
He talks rather than sings his songs. A story teller. But a great musician nonetheless.
@@JRobbySh Well, Willie never was a real singer like Jim Reeves or Marty Robbins was - those guys had "golden throats" as they say, but Willie has always had a very unique singing voice that's recognizable and unforgettable - you either love him or hate him. His Outlaw period in the 70's and the later 80's albums he made show he had a very refined voice even if he does sing thru his nose as a lot of people say. I've met him and seen and heard him sing as close to me as the monitor screen I'm looking at back in 1985 and I'll tell you one thing for certain - the man could sing - then. He did 'Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain' which requires some throat singing as some of the notes are not in the nasal region and he was dead on in key and even in tempo. The last decade or so he has really suffered in the vocal department and as you say, he talks his songs rather than sings them. Merle Haggard suffered from the same thing in his later years (the last decade or so of his stunning career) - I've got 95% of everything both of them ever recorded and as they aged their voices just got rougher and they seem to have lesser wind to sing with. It happens as you age. They can't hit the high notes as the voice gets deeper, and some songs had to lowered in the key they sang. Even still the lowest of the low notes were just gone too. I think all that smoking (cigs & weed) hurts their voice eventually. I have a friend who has had a stellar career in Contemporary Christian Music since the 70's - his voice range has always been very high but he smokes a pipe and cigars and has done this for many years. The poor guy can barely sing now having much to do with his age (he's 70 now) but the smoking doesn't help, it only hurts.
I had to read all of the comments b4 I could figure out how to put my feelimgs into words. I am 71, and of course I have heard and enjoyed Willi's music for my lifetime. I didn't always follow country as I was a fan of the Beatles until about 1966 when the melodies stopped. But I do remember Patsy Cline and her memorable rendition of 'Crazy'. Years later a very young KD Lang sang it with the same passion. It was done best by a female voice and the story relates quite well to the way many women feel when a man they love puts them out of their lives. Willi is that kind of song writer. He 'feels' the words he writes and he opens up the wounds for all to see. To me his writing describes the sadness when love goes away. His voice is so mellow and rich. I had never seen him as a young man, he was quite handsome. Before life wrote all over his face you could see the raw emotion on it. What a fabulous voice and song writer! How blessed we are to have him! Live long, and happy, Willi. New fans are born every day. God bless you.
Willie is just flat out a good human being. We need more.
Love it Willie! Right b4 u sang Patsy Clines song I said, " There's Patsy Cline!" Second row.. I think. U were great then and your great now.
Willies vocals have always been great however they continue to get deeper, melodic and more meaningful with age. Incredible man he is.
And he undersings em. I love that.
I've ben a fan this long The world is a better place because of Willie Nelson & Family
Yes he has a great look here. That time period for music and all else will never be matched.
I like the later free Willie more.
It's like how Willie would look if he suddenly had a big job interview.
Willie Nelson is an American treasure.
Just saw him absolutely crush at the Ohio State Fair. Blown away. He's 89
What would memories be - w/o Willie and these treasures
Sound is similar, look is different
+gvm
.......oh yes - but the very example of - becoming confident with - being who you are.
A blessing in self confidence -
One of the "Founding Fathers" of Modern Music PERIOD!
Creative people...no matter what their art form are dedicated, amazing and driven. Willy is one of those talents that cannot be denied. Musicians in all areas...no matter the genre admire him...let's remember the collaboration of Trent Reznor (9 Inch Nails)and Johnny Cash! I am sure Willy has influenced many generations of artists. Many thanks for the positive feedback. I like reading intelligent observations and I am sure music is a big part of your lives, too.
I just can’t believe he’s Willie Nelson...So throughout the years he reinvented himself ...That’s the way I’ll remember him.
if you know willie, this will almost if not most definitely bring you to tears :,)
What a great ear for singing ! Note how he is fully involved in the music, and smooth as hell. Great ! (FYI .. I first saw him in Chicago. He was back-up to a band called Poco, who was popular at the time. Well, Poco cancelled last minute, some emergency. On the door was placed an apology from the band .. I believe offering a refund, or if one would care to stay & see the back-up band, Willie Nelson. I had heard a little bit prior to that. Willie was awesome ! (Probably early 70's ?)
Hello Marianne, how is things going with you?
Notice how he barely holds it together when he gets to "Crazy." Patsy's death was still recent at this time, and he is visibly moved and performs it with difficulty...
Well.... he looks so different, now Willie is so organic. April 29, 2020, pandemic Covid-19.
Thoroughly enjoyed that medley. Old school country 👌
Went to a Willie Nelson concert at Poughkeepsie NY in 2018. Not a large venue and the place was packed. Long Live Willie
Willie Nelson for President.
When Willie Nelson first started singing he had a tough time with so much competition! Then at one show he came on stage with his red bandana across his forehead and a real star was born. He became an icon of country music. So talented. What the hell are we going to do when he leaves us?
A world without Willies presence will be a sad one. In answer to your question, simply keep playing his music, for his songs will live on forever.
He had that sort-of talking style even back then.
Willie and Waylon and all the outlaws....It is in your soul and there is nothing ya can do to change that and who would want to ? Rock on Willie! ANNIE
I like the way he looked back then, not so much now. I remember these tunes from then also.
This video was probably my most favorite along with a Kris Kristopherson video I have seen. These two guys I just love, love, love.