Willie Nelson took the stage at Madison Square Garden to deliver a hymn-like spin on the commonly known peace anthem "Imagine" during the John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert in New York City.
The well-known marijuana enthusiast performed the hit single with the assistance of a brawny house band which was made up of longtime collaborator Mickey Raphael on harmonica and Leland Sklar manning the bass along with the voices of an entire arena of John Lennon fanatics. When Nelson's voice quiver prevented him from executing the song's signature "yoo-hooo," although the audience didn't waste any time chiming in for backup.
Nelson's performance came between short sets by The Killers' frontman Brandon Flowers and Spoon, bringing spiritual sentiments and a guitar solo chock full of bluesy tones. The night also brought fourth performances from country musicians Chris Stapleton and Kris Kristofferson who joined forces for a take on the Beatles' "You've' Got to Hide Your Love Away," while Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello delivered a rousing version of "Power to the People," Rolling Stone notes.
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Most recently, Father John Misty performed a cover of Lennon's "God" during a Jonathan Wilson Band gig.
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