Check Out These Young Photos of Willie Nelson in Honor of His Birthday and Stagecoach Performance

willie nelson young photos
Take a Look at These Young Photos of Willie NelsonMichael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

There are arguably two monumental days that signify another year has gone by. The first is obviously New Year's Eve. The second, however, is Willie Nelson's birthday. ?? The country icon is turning 91-years-old on April 29, but it hardly seems that way. The country star is still putting out new songs and he's even performing at Stagecoach—country music's biggest festival—in 2024. It's easy to forget just how long Willie has been doing this, so go ahead an embark on a trip down memory lane and look through these photos of him during the beginning of his career to now.

Willie is known for many things. For starters, he's responsible for writing some of the best country songs of all time, including Patsy Cline's hit "Crazy." He's also made some famous songs of his own, including his Grammy-award winning rendition of "Always on My Mind." And he's collaborated with some of the biggest country stars out there, like Dolly Parton (in both songs and movies!), Bob Dylan, and Toby Keith. Don't even get us started on his filmography. Willie has starred in so many Western movies and family flicks that he was even inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame.

It's hard to wrap our heads around just how much Willie has accomplished in his decades-long career. These photos of young and seasoned Willie Nelson do a great job at highlighting just how long he's been at the center of the game!

Take a look at these young photos of some other fan-favorites:

1961

Whoa! We almost didn't recognize Willie without his trademark long locks, but the guitar is a helpful clue! This was the year that Patsy Cline made Willie's country music standard "Crazy" a hit.

willie nelson young photos
Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1962

This photo is actually so sweet when you realize it's of Willie holding up his debut album, And Then I Wrote.

willie nelson young photos
Richard Weize - Getty Images

1964

Willie is all smiles in this pic. You would be, too, if you had just signed a major record deal!

willie nelson young photos
Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1965

We can tell he definitely had a thing for suits back in the '60s.

willie nelson young photos
Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1966

Okay, so Willie had a thing for suits and cheesing in photos. Was it a '60s trend?! ??

willie nelson young photos
Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1967

Even with this photo as evidence, it's still somehow hard to picture Willie Nelson in a turtleneck. ??

willie nelson young photos
Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1970

Willie has always been known for his charismatic stage presence.

willie nelson young photos
Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1971

He was clearly as passionate about performing back then as he is now.

willie nelson young photos
Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1973

Bring on the cowboy hats! We're starting to see a change in Willie's style with this one. ??

willie nelson young photos
Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1974

See, he's used to giving a show to the biggest of crowds. This one was taken during the second annual July 4th Picnic, this one being in College Station, Texas.

willie nelson young photos 1974
Bettmann - Getty Images

1975

Pictured here are two legends and their acoustic guitars. We wish we could go back in time to watch Willie and Johnny Cash perform this iconic duet live!

willie nelson young photos
Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1976

Imagine locking eyes with Willie during one of his concerts. That's something you can brag about to your friends countless times, and it would never get old!

young willie nelson photos 1976
Star Tribune via Getty Images - Getty Images

1977

Willie Nelson and Mary Kay Price seem like a musical match made in heaven, right? Do yourself a favor, and search the web for their Saturday Night Live episode—you won't regret it.

willie nelson young photos 1977
NBC - Getty Images

1978

Little did he know he was setting the standard of style for country men everywhere.

willie nelson young photos
Tom Hill - Getty Images

1980

New decade, new hair. The famous braids have finally made an appearance, y'all! ??

willie nelson young photos
Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1981

You might be confused as to why Willie is in jail in this photo, but it's actually just a screen grab from a movie. Willie played an inmate named Okla in the 1981 film, Thief.

willie nelson young photos 1981
Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1982

So the braids may have been a quick experiment for him at first! (But we obviously know that they come back at some point. ??) Either way, have you ever seen someone so lost in their craft?

willie nelson young photos
Paul Natkin - Getty Images

1983

An actor he was! This was taken from the set of Songwriter, and shows Willie rehearsing for the musical drama alongside costar, Kris Kristofferson.

willie nelson young photos 1983
John Bryson - Getty Images

1990

He's giving Harry Styles vibes.

willie nelson young photos
Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1993

What would you have worn if you had the chance to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno? For Willie, the choice was obvious. Give him a bandana and his red, white, and blue guitar strap, and he's all set!

willie nelson young photos
NBC - Getty Images

1998

Did anyone else know that Willie and actor Woody Harrelson are actually good friends?

willie nelson young photos
Ebet Roberts - Getty Images

2006

The duo we didn't know we needed! We love this photo of Willie attending Bette Midler's Halloween party.

willie nelson young photos
Shane Gritzinger - Getty Images

2015

Willie channeled his style from the '60s by slipping into a suit for this performance at the Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert.

willie nelson young photos
Kevin Mazur - Getty Images

2022

It's clear time hasn't changed the special way he's able to connect with his fans. Just look at that glow!

willie nelson young photos
Gary Miller - Getty Images

2023

You're telling us Willie still looks this good in 2023? Someone make him share his secrets!

willie nelson young photos
Harmony Gerber - Getty Images

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