Back in April, dozens of artists — ranging from famous friends to emerging talent and at least one comedian, duet partner Stephen Colbert — celebrated Willie Nelson’s 80th birthday with songs and messages posted on a Farm Aid tribute site. One contribution came from Neil Young, who sang an unplugged take on “Happy Birthday to You” from the balcony of a Relax Inn while on tour. That understated gesture wasn’t all Neil had in store for Willie’s 80th, though, as he joined many more onstage at Jack White’s Third Man Records for a live tribute show soon after. Most acts covered songs from Nelson’s canon, but Young borrowed from his own during the set, which included this excellent version of “Long May You Run” with Willie strumming along. “I wrote it for my car,” he joked before the take, “but it works for you great.” Watch it above and check out the motel clip below:
