Neil Young, Ringo Starr and Other Famous Artists Send Out 80th Birthday Wishes to Willie Nelson

 

Willie Nelson turns 80 years old on Tuesday, and many of the world’s biggest music stars have sent out special birthday messages to the beloved country singer/songwriter.  Among the artists who shared specially videotaped wishes with Nelson are Neil Young, Ringo Starr, Carlos Santana, Aerosmith‘s Steven Tyler and Barbra Streisand.

In Young’s clip, the folk-rock great is seen outside of a motor lodge strumming “Happy Birthday” on an acoustic guitar.  He then says, “From all of us at Farm Aid and your friends all around the world, Willie, Happy Birthday.  We love ya.  Eighty years, unbelievable.  Keep on rocking, man.”
In Ringo’s video, the ex-Beatles drummer wears a cowboy hat and declares, “They say it’s your birthday, Willie.  Just want to say, ‘Happy Birthday, and peace and love.’  Have a great one.  I’m getting into the cowboy mode.”
The ever-spiritual Santana, meanwhile, tells Nelson, “We love you so much and we thank God for you and we pray that all the highest blessings are upon you.  Good health, peace of mind and joy — most all joy.”  The guitar icon adds that he looks forward to recording with Willie, and suggests they do a rendition of Bob Marley‘s “Baby We’ve Got a Date” with help from The Allman Brothers Band‘s Derek Trucks on slide guitar.
As for Tyler, he sends his message while lounging at his Maui residence.  The rocker raggedly sings the old song “Little Brown Gal” while accompanying himself on a ukulele, then says, “You know what, Willie, we’re gonna live another 80.  Your music will live forever.  You’re the most beautiful guy on the whole planet.  You started off as this square guy I used to watch on television and you turned into the hippest thing since smokeless pot…I’m so proud to say that I know you and you’re my friend, man.”
Streisand says, simply, “I hear it’s your birthday, Willie, so I wanna say, ‘You’re still a fox.’  Happy Birthday.”
Other stars who also delivered 80th birthday wishes to Willie — either videotaped or written — include Sting, John Mellencamp, Paul Anka, ZZ Top‘s Billy Gibbons, Bonnie Raitt and Marky Ramone.  Check out all of the celebrity birthday messages for Nelson by visiting HappyBirthdayWillie.org and WillieNelson.com, as well as Nelson’s and Farm Aid’s official YouTube channels.
As previously reported, a concert celebrating Nelson’s big birthday was taped earlier this month for a special episode of CMT Crossroads that will premiere in late June.  The show featured Nelson performing alongside Young, Leon Russell, Sheryl Crow and other stars.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Source: http://www.classichitsandoldies.com