Keith Richards Surprises at Willie Nelson 90th Birthday Concert

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Willie Nelson and Keith Richards at the Hollywood Bowl on April 30, 2023 (Photo: Randall Michelson; used with permission)

When the lineup was announced for the pair of Willie Nelson 90th birthday concerts, the boldfaced names including such stars as Stephen Stills, Stephen Stills, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg, and Tom Jones. Not included among the several dozen names was Keith Richards. Yet, there he was on Sunday night (April 30, 2023), striding onto the Hollywood Bowl stage to join the host.

As the crowd cheered, Richards said, “Thank you, ladies and gentleman. It’s good to be here; it’s good to be anywhere. I do like to thank Willie for inviting me to this party.”

Richards joined Don Was “and this great orchestra” for a pair of songs, Donnie Fritts’ “We Had It All” and Billy Joe Shaver’s “Live Forever.” Nelson and Richards traded verses on both songs. Watch both performances…

Thanks to Todd Norris for the great clips.

Earlier on night two, the audience was treated to performances from many of the greats who hadn’t played on the first evening. Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris sang Crowell’s “‘Til I Gain Control Again.”

Bob Weir joined Margo Price and bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings to cover Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys’ “Stay a Little Longer.”

Sheryl Crow joined the evening’s guest of honor to duet on his “Faraway Places.”

Sheryl Crow and Willie Nelson at the Hollywood Bowl on April 30, 2023 (Photo: Randall Michelson; used with permission)

Watch Dave Matthews’ great solo performance of Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away”

Kris Kristofferson and Norah Jones sang “Help Me Make It Through the Night” at the Hollywood Bowl on April 30, 2023 (Photo: Randall Michelson; used with permission)

Among night two’s many other highlights were Willie’s sons Lukas Nelson and Micah Nelson, Waylon Jennings’ son Shooter Jennings and Johnny Cash’s daughter Roseanne Cash performing “Highwayman.”

Watch Jennings and Lukas Nelson perform “Good Hearted Woman”