Willie Nelson

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer

Category: Performer

Inducted: 2023

Inducted by: Dave Matthews

Nominated: 2023

First Eligible: 1986 Ceremony


Kennedy Center Honors: 1998
Country Music Hall of Fame: 1993
Songwriters Hall of Fame: 2001

Induction Ceremony Songs:

SongPerformed By
Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away  Dave Matthews
Whiskey River  Willie Nelson, Chris Stapleton
Crazy  Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow
On the Road Again  Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews, Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton

Inducted into Rock Hall Projected in 2011 (ranked #6 in the Influences - Rock Era category) .

R.S. Top 500 Albums (?)RankVersion
Red Headed Stranger2372020
Red Headed Stranger1832012
Stardust2602012

R.S. Top 500 Songs (?)RankVersion
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain (1975)2532021

Essential Albums (?)WikipediaYouTube
...And Then I Wrote (1962)
Shotgun Willie (1973)
Phases and Stages (1974)
Red Headed Stranger (1975)
Stardust (1978)
Always on My Mind (1982)

Essential Songs (?)WikipediaYouTube
Funny How Time Slips Away (1962)
Bloody Mary Monday (1974)
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain (1975)
Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys (1975)
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (1979)
On The Road Again (1980)
Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground (1980)
Always On My Mind (1982)
Forgiving You Was Easy (1985)
A Woman's Love (2017)

Willie Nelson @ Wikipedia



Comments

28 comments so far (post your own)

I saw Willie Nelson in Murray, KY a couple nights ago (along with Alison Krauss) and I was more than blown away. Despite of what you may have heard or read about him, Willie is showing no signs of slowing down. He put on a very amazing energetic performance that lasted over an hour and a half. Given he has put out more than 50 albums and over a 1000 songs, he played the right songs that set everyone's mood. Sure, some people may think he's crazy and loony and all, but he doesn't give a rats what anyone thinks and he does what he apparently loves through it all.

Now, on to the HOF part:

Does he belong in the RRHOF?
I say yes. Sure, he hasn't put out hardly any rock and roll recordings. His style and everything has influenced many rock and rollers, and he has strong musical connections to several RRHOFers. I would be happy if he were inducted into a category, like 'Early Influence'. After all, I believe him and Patsy Cline are the only successful Country crossover artists that belong in there. Disagree? Get ready for a bar brawl! Yeehah

Posted by Jason Voigt on Friday, 05/23/2014 @ 17:00pm


Cool, Jason! What an act to see. I'll bet Alison was kicking ass too.

Check out 'ROMP' fest in Owensboro, KY at end of June. I'm going on Saturday, when OCMS will close it down. Really nice little bluegrass fest.

I'm for Willie in the Hall.

Posted by Paul in KY on Saturday, 05/24/2014 @ 11:05am


Just wondering, Paul, are you going to Bonnaroo? I am again this year.

Posted by Jason Voigt on Saturday, 05/24/2014 @ 16:59pm


Yes, Jason I am. Really stoked about the 'undercard' this year. Looking forward (in no particular order) to Polica, White Denim, Janelle Monae, Vampire Weekend, Mastadon, King Khan & the Shrines, Cage the Elephant (top priority on weekend), Slightly Stoopid, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Fitz & tyhe Tantrums, Arctic Monkeys, Little Dragon & Elton John. Plus others!

Will be in the GA 'Tent City' this year. Would like to meet you, if possible.

Posted by Paul in KY on Tuesday, 05/27/2014 @ 12:47pm


That would be great. Just so we won't get in trouble I'll leave my email here: jasonvoigt@hotmail.com

Posted by Jason Voigt on Tuesday, 05/27/2014 @ 20:09pm


Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings should be put in. They have done as much for music country and rock as anybody.

Posted by Joe on Wednesday, 07/22/2015 @ 04:10am


Saw Willie Nelson close out the 1st Pilgrimage Music Fest in Franklin, TN (bedroom community South of Nashville). He & his band (which includes his little sister) gave a fine performance. Played a medley of Hank Williams Sr. songs, in addition to his own. What a honeyed voice! I will tell you, that if you want to see him, better go as he's not getting any younger.

At close of fest (which was slated to end at 7:30 PM & had gone over that by about 10 mins), Willy had just gone into his final song when he was stopped by someone announcing on loudspeaker (much louder than Willy's audio) that fest was ending & thanking us for attending and thanking 'Willie' as well. Was 1st time I have ever seen a headliner cut off.

Think this was because this was the 1st time for this fest & there were a lot of very expensive homes around the venue & I guess they didn't want to run afoul of any of them on the noise stuff.

Posted by Paul in KY on Wednesday, 09/30/2015 @ 07:59am


That's interesting stuff there, Paul! Of the many concerts I've attended, I have never seen or heard a performer/headliner get cut off. To me that's bull, unless the community/city had strict curfew rules. But you know. I saw him last year at Murray State and he sounded so golden (they say he works better when he's high). I also went into his museum in Nashville a month later.

Get this guy in the RRHOF! We shall find out October 6

Posted by Jason Voigt on Wednesday, 09/30/2015 @ 14:33pm


http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/willie-nelson-cancels-postpones-shows-due-to-health-issue-20151014#ixzz3ocyww4UA

Willie Nelson Cancels, Postpones Shows Due to Health Issue

Undisclosed malady affects the Red Headed Stranger's joint tour with Merle Haggard

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 10/15/2015 @ 05:37am


I don't understand why the RRHOF are dragging their feet on a Willie Nelson Nomination and Induction. He would be a glaring omission in my honest opinion. What a long prolific career! He's probably rubbed shoulders with most of the HOF legends in some capacity. The Farm Aid with John Mellencamp and others was very important and innovative at the time. It still is today. Willie has had different ailments the last few years. It would be a shame that Willie might pass on before he's recognized. Longevity, Influence, Musical Excellence... It's Willie's time.

Posted by KING on Sunday, 09/9/2018 @ 10:51am



Always On My Mind was written by Johnny Christopher, Mark James, and Wayne Carson, recorded first by B.J. Thomas in 1969.

"Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" is a country music song first recorded by Ed Bruce, written by him and wife Patsy Bruce.

"To All the Girls I've Loved Before" is a song written by Hal David (words) and Albert Hammond (music). It was originally recorded by Hammond in 1975 on his album 99 Miles From L.A., but is more famous for a 1984 recording by Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson, which appeared on Iglesias's album 1100 Bel Air Place.

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 01/1/2019 @ 21:28pm


Willie Nelson turns 86 in April.

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 01/1/2019 @ 22:04pm


Crazy * Hello Walls

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 01/1/2019 @ 22:05pm


This is taking too long!

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 02/20/2019 @ 06:15am



Yes, finally!!

Paul Shaffer is nominating Willie Nelson for 2020 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame!

https://www.themaineedge.com/buzz/paul-shaffers-famous-friends-open-up-on-new-series-paul-shaffer-plus-one

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 09/19/2019 @ 11:28am


I have a feeling it's Willie Nelson and Dionne Warwick for 2020!

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 09/19/2019 @ 13:47pm


They better not induct Willie Nelson in the musical excellence category!

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 10/22/2019 @ 01:10am


Still not in as of 2021

Posted by Tyler Helt on Saturday, 07/3/2021 @ 18:55pm


Willie Nelson 88

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 07/6/2021 @ 00:30am


Here's one for everyone to consider Dolly Parton is gonna be perhaps voted to be in the rock and roll hall of fame but an artist and talent like Willie Nelson and a song like on the road again , really, Willie Nelson should definitely be in the rock and roll of fame before Dolly Parton. Nothing against Dolly Parton I like her . I like her in country but let's face the facts it's the facts what's going on when we're talking about talent Is rock and roll and blues. There's no comparison to the contribution to Lifetime achievement. I'm not talking about an amusement park. Willie Nelson has As contributed a lot perhaps just as much for rock and roll as Dolly Parton for all that matters. Is it truly a comparison. Because if it is there's something truly wrong.

Posted by Gregory Aloisi on Sunday, 02/6/2022 @ 08:35am


I'm sorry I left something out Eminem. Really we're gonna keep Willie Nelson out but we're gonna induct Eminem 1st.. people like Jim Croce, 3 dog night. People with personal achievements like Eddie Van Halen, Is George Thorogood. Is many more to think about. Dolly Parton really. If Eminem and Dolly Parton get in before these other great talents talents that have contributed to rock and roll and rhythm and blues. I'm just left speechless like many other fans would be

Posted by Gregory Aloisi on Sunday, 02/6/2022 @ 08:44am


This is a no brainer. If Johnny Cash and Hank Williams are in as country stars why not Willie Nelson? Once again the validity of the RR Hall of Fame is in question.

Posted by Carl Hardy on Monday, 02/7/2022 @ 12:18pm


My thoughts are that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame name should change to the Music Hall of Fame. This would take care of the controversy on naming non Rockers to the Hall.

Posted by Carl Hardy on Monday, 02/7/2022 @ 12:33pm


In no way does it have to be called music hall because you have to play even classical music, it is called the rock Hall because 90% belong to the history of rock and the rest are influenced

Posted by Brian on Sunday, 01/29/2023 @ 10:10am


I thought Willie Nelson was inducted to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame long ago. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame. My favorite Willie Nelson song is "Always On My Mind" because even if he didn't pay attention to his girlfriend/wife, he at least thought about her. I think "Always On My Mind" was on a VH-1 list that was 100 Greatest Love Songs.

Posted by Brian Schonour on Wednesday, 02/1/2023 @ 21:39pm


Willie Nelson is finally in The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. He should have been in ages ago.

Posted by Tyler Helt on Thursday, 05/4/2023 @ 08:11am


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Future Rock Legends is your home for Willie Nelson and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, including year of eligibility, number of nominations, induction chances, essential songs and albums, and an open discussion of their career.


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