60s music legend, 91, sparks concern after cancelling concerts on 'doctor's orders'

Willie’s doctor’s have ordered the star to ‘rest’ up(Picture: Suzanne Cordeiro/REX/Shutterstock)

Willie Nelson fans have expressed their concern after it was announced the country singer will not perform at a music festival due to ill health.

The legendary singer, 91, and his team announced on Instagram that due to ‘doctors orders,’ he will not perform at the first weekend of Outlaw Music Festival and will be replaced by his son, Lukas Nelson and the Nelson Band.

‘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,’ the statement read.

‘He is expected to make a quick recovery and join the Outlaw Music Festival tour next week. In the meantime, Lukas Nelson and the Family Band, along with a few guests, will perform a special set to include Willie’s classics and other songs.’

While Nelson will be absent from the first few shows of the festival – which hosts concerts in Alpharetta, Georgia, and Los Angeles – attendees will be treated to performances by Bob Dylan, Robert Plant, and Allison Krauss, among others.

Upon reading the announcement, fans quickly took to the comment section to share their concern for the beloved icon, with many offering messages of support.

Fans rushed to offer messages of support after seeing the statement (Picture: Instagram/@willienelsonofficial)

‘Rest up Willie, the world still needs you!’ @kravtkvlt wrote. @realbebebuel added, ‘Get well soon, dearest Willie… @willienelsonofficial. Sending you tons of healing. energy and good vibes!!’

@kennytattoos said, ‘Not a religious man but I’d say a prayer for Willie Nelson.’

‘Love you, Willie! I’m sure Lukas will not disappoint the audience. Glad you’re taking this time off to take care of yourself!’ @pinningjennylynne commented.

Some also added that the announcement could have been written in a different and more tactful way, as @underatedglambands stated: ‘When it comes to someone who’s 91 years old. Your going to have to say “he’s ok but isn’t feeling well” not “we regret to inform you”.’

Nelson has cancelled multiple shows in recent years due to health difficulties, including in 2019 when a breathing problem resulted in the star pulling out of an American tour he was due to embark on with Krauss.

The 12-time Grammy winner also cancelled performances in 2019 (Picture: EMG/Rex/Shutterstock)

Willie said in 2020 that he ‘didn’t ever think I’d get this old’ (Picture: Michael Zorn/Rex/Shutterstock)

The 12-time Grammy winner told fans later that year that as a result of his health scare, he had decided to give up smoking cannabis in an effort to ‘take better care of myself’.

Opening up about his decision during an interview with San Antonio TV station, he said: ‘I have abused my lungs quite a bit in the past, so breathing is a little more difficult these days, and I have to be careful.’

He added, ‘I started smoking cedar bark, went from that to cigarettes to whatever. And that almost killed me, added Nelson. ‘I don’t smoke anymore – take better care of myself.’

A representative for the Highwayman singer later clarified that while Nelson has given up smoking cannabis, he is still using other methods to consume the drug, including vaping, THC products and edibles.

Willie is one of the country industry’s most well-known figures (Picture: Laura Skelding/Lbj Library/ZUMA Press Wire/Rex/Shutterstock)

The following year, in 2020, the singer spoke about staying healthy after admitting he ‘didn’t ever think I’d get this old’.

‘Having no fear is a pretty good thing,’ Speaking to Slate, the star said. ‘I still try to do a little workout every day just to pay for the day. That’s what I call it: You have to do something to pay for the day.’

He added, ‘So I’ll get up and do a little walking or jogging or whatever, just enough to keep the heart going.’

Nelson is one of country music’s most recognisable names.

In addition to his lengthy career, he has collaborated with a number of top artists, including Ray Charles on their 1988 hit, Georgia On My Mind, Tom Petty and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on their 2002 hit, Goodnight Irene, and most recently, Beyonce on their song Smoke Hour II.

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