Country music icon Willie Nelson is living proof that age doesn’t have to slow you down. The performer, who turned 92 on 29th April, is still going strong after nearly seven decades and hitting the road with the same energy that made him a household name. Despite past health battles with emphysema and COVID-19, Nelson shows no signs of quitting anytime soon.
Now, with the release of his 76th solo studio album, The Last Leaf on the Tree, Nelson is getting candid about ageing and death, and, in typical Willie fashion, he’s taking it all in stride.
In an interview with the Associated Press, the beloved troubadour shared his relaxed attitude toward mortality. “I’m 91 plus, so, you know, I’m not worried about it,” he said. “I don’t feel bad. I don’t hurt anywhere. I don’t have any reason to worry about dying.”
He added, “I take pretty good care of myself. And I feel like I’m in pretty good shape physically. Mentally? That’s another story,” he quipped. The Last Leaf on the Tree, produced by his son Micah, tackles themes of legacy, loss, and longevity.
The album includes covers of songs by Tom Waits and Beck, as well as new originals, one co-written with Micah, all centered on what Willie describes as “facing death with grace.”
Nelson is now the last living member of The Highwaymen, the iconic supergroup that also featured Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson. Reflecting on the recent death of Kristofferson, who passed away in September 2024 at the age of 88, Nelson offered a heartfelt tribute.
“He left a lot of fantastic songs around for the rest of us to sing, for as long as we’re here,” Nelson told the AP. “Kris was a great friend of mine. And, you know, we just kind of had a lot of fun together and made a lot of music together — videos, movies. I hated to lose him. That was a sad time.”
However, Willie hasn’t let grief slow him down. Just last October, he took the stage in Houston, Texas, performing at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris. With his iconic guitar, Trigger, slung over his shoulder, he performed classics like “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” and “On the Road Again” to a roaring crowd.
One particularly special moment from the rally came when Nelson reunited with fellow Texan Beyoncé. The Cowboy Carter singer shared a touching tribute on Instagram following their appearance, recalling their first meeting years ago when she was part of Destiny’s Child.
“You were so kind to me and the girls of Destiny’s Child when we fanned out meeting you years ago,” Beyoncé wrote. “And you greeted me with the same kindness 20 years later! I admire you, and I sincerely thank you for being the pioneer you are… You are 1 of 1.”