Aged 91 as of April 2024, Willie Nelson often made the headlines of death rumors in recent years despite being alive and well and still active in music. We looked into the singer’s successful career, health condition, and recent works for you in this article.
Nelson’s Long Career In Country And Rock
Having started making music as a 7-year-old, Nelson contributed greatly to music and became a major name in the outlaw country movement in the 1970s, according to Britannica. He rose to fame with albums like ‘Shotgun Willie,’ ‘Red Headed Stranger,’ and ‘Stardust’ while also appearing in over 30 films through the years.
The singer got involved in many rock projects, as well, collaborating with the likes of Bob Dylan and covering tracks from Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Beatles, and ZZ Top (per Ultimate Classic Rock). He also recorded an album with Leon Russell in 1979.
His career achievements included multiple Grammy Awards, a Kennedy Center Honor in 1998, his 1993 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and his 2023 induction into the Rock Hall, Britannica wrote.
Rumors About His Death And The Truth
Meanwhile, reports about Nelson’s death circulated on the internet. A website called msMbc.co claimed in 2010 that the singer and a few other famous names including Eddie Murphy passed away. Internet For Lawyers later debunked the news, warning viewers against unverified sources.
Following those reports, Nelson remained active in the music scene, touring during the pandemic despite previous health issues with COVID-19 and emphysema that he talked about to Hello! in November.
The country musician reflected on the topic of death during that chat, saying, “I’m 91 plus, so, you know, I’m not worried about it. I don’t feel bad. I don’t hurt anywhere. I don’t have any reason to worry about dying. I take pretty good care of myself. And I feel like I’m in pretty good shape physically. Mentally? That’s another story.”
The Singer’s Ongoing Musical Efforts
Most recently, Nelson canceled some 2024 performances due to health issues but later returned to stage (per Wikipedia). Last month saw the release of his 76th studio album, ‘Last Leaf on the Tree,’ American Songwriter reported. The record featured his son, Micah Nelson, and discussed mortality and life with inspiration from nature.