Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Petty Band to Play Benefit

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Stephen Stills, Neil Young, and Oliver Stills perform at the 4th Annual Light Up The Blues at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in 2016. Photo: Chris Kissinger; used with permission)

After skipping 2017, the annual Light Up The Blues concert to benefit Autism Speaks, will return this spring with a juggernaut lineup of music greats. The 2018 edition, again organized by Stephen Stills and his wife, Kristen, will be held April 21 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and feature performances by Neil Young and Sheryl Crow. In addition, the house band will include three prominent members of the Heartbreakers: guitarist Mike Campbell, keyboardist Benmont Tench and drummer Steve Ferrone.

Tickets for the all-star event are available here.

The Stills’ 21-year-old son, Henry, was diagnosed with autism as a youngster. The annual awareness and fundraising campaign previously ran from 2013-2016 but took one year off. The 2016 edition is believed to be the last time that the three-time bandmates, Stills and Young, shared a stage. “We still love to play together because we can read each other’s minds,” Stills told Rolling Stone. “That happened 50 years ago and nothing has changed. It’s instinct, like two great players on a football team.”

Watch Stills and Young perform the Buffalo Springfield song “Mr. Soul” at the 2016 edition

The previous events were at the smaller Hollywood Pantages Theatre, which now houses the musical Hamilton. The Dolby Theatre holds 3,400. Others on this year’s bill include Judy Collins–whom Stills toured with extensively in 2017–and Burt Bacharach. Jack Black will emcee the event.

“The last four Light Up The Blues benefits have been incredible, life-changing events for all involved. With an exceptional line-up this year, we are so grateful to be able to bring such a special night of music to the entire community, and to continue to support Autism Speaks,” said Stephen Stills, in a statement.

The 2013 inaugural edition featured performances by Crosby, Stills and Nash, Don Felder and others.

Stills also told Rolling Stone that he’s working on a memoir. “I’m pecking away,” he said. When does he hope to have it done? “In my lifetime,” he laughed.