Since the mid-1960s, Willie Nelson has been a fixture in country music. He looked a lot different when he was young, of course, than he did later on, when he helped define the Outlaw country era of the ’70s and ’80s.
Nelson has had numerous classic hit songs throughout his career. Songs that we all know and love such as “On the Road Again,” “Georgia on My Mind,” “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” and many, many more.
Nelson really blew up in popularity in the late 1970s, when he began acting. His first role was in The Electric Horseman (1979) with Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, and the following year he starred in Honeysuckle Rose.
His success only grew bigger with each decade. In the 1980s came more Grammy Awards and huge mainstream success.
The 1990s proved to be a little troublesome for Nelson. With the death of his son, the controversy with the IRS and a marijuana arrest, Nelson was still able to have multiple successful albums on the country music charts.
Nelson still makes random pop-up appearances with other country artists around the country, as well as movie and TV appearances.
Nelson is now 92 years old, and he is still actively playing music.
Check out 30 pictures of a young Willie Nelson.
30 Pictures of a Young Willie Nelson
Gallery Credit: Evan Paul
Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton c.1986
Willie Nelson c.1984
Willie Nelson c.1982
Willie Nelson c. 1980
Willie Nelson c.1980
Willie Nelson c.1979
Willie Nelson and Charlie Pride c.1979
Willie Nelson c.1978
Willie Nelson c.1978
Willie Nelson c.1978
Willie Nelson c.1978
Willie Nelson c.1977
Willie Nelson c.1977
Willie Nelson c.1977
Wille Nelson c. 1977
Willie Nelson c.1975
Willie Nelson c.1975
Willie Nelson c.1975
Willie Nelson c. 1975
Willie Nelson c.1974
Wille Nelson c.1974
Untitled Willie Nelson c.1973
Willie Nelson c. 1970
Willie Nelson c. 1967
Willie Nelson c. 1965
Willie Nelson c. 1964
Willie Nelson c. 1962
Willie Nelson c. 1962
Willie Nelson c. 1960