Willie Nelson Returns To The Stage After Mystery Illness

Willie Nelson is back!

After an unspecified illness caused Wilson to miss a number of appearances on the first leg of his Outlaw Music Festival Tour, the 91 year old made his triumphant return to performing in New Jersey on July 4. 

“He’s bbaaacccckkkkk,” his team wrote on Instagram alongside a video of Willie and his son Lukas walking onstage to thunderous applause at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion for his annual Fourth of July picnic in Camden.

According to Consequence of Sound, Nelson performed more than 20 songs, including “On the Road Again,” “Always on My Mind,” “Roll Me Up,” and “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.” The crooner also debuted “The Border,” which appears on his new album of the same name. 

Fans first became concerned for Nelson’s health on June 21, when an illness caused him to miss a number of appearances on the first leg of his Outlaw Music Festival Tour.

“We regret to inform you that Willie Nelson is not feeling well and, per doctor’s orders, has been advised to rest for the next four days,” his camp said in a statement. “He is expected to make a quick recovery and join the Outlaw Music Festival tour next week.”

It ended up taking longer than expected to get clearance from his doctors, and Nelson missed a total of five shows in Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and upstate New York. 

We’re happy to have you back, Willie!