When Willie Nelson turned 90 in April 2023, he did what only Willie could do—celebrate with two nights of unforgettable music at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The lineup was stacked with icons, rising stars, and chart-toppers, but one performance stood above the rest: Willie Nelson and George Strait teaming up for a heartfelt rendition of “Pancho and Lefty.”
This moment brought together three Texas legends—Nelson, Strait, and songwriter Townes Van Zandt, who wrote the timeless ballad. While Van Zandt never reached the mainstream fame of those who sang his songs, artists like Willie and George have long considered him one of the finest storytellers in country music.
Before diving into the performance, Strait honored Van Zandt with a simple but powerful introduction:
“Townes Van Zandt wrote it and Willie sang the sh-t out of it with Merle [Haggard]. It’s called ‘Pancho and Lefty.’”
And with that, the two icons launched into a rendition that gave the Hollywood Bowl crowd chills. Their voices—warm, weathered, and full of Texas soul—brought the story of Pancho and Lefty to life once again.
Of course, the song has a rich history. First released by Van Zandt in 1972, it has been covered by countless artists over the decades, from Emmylou Harris to Steve Earle, Jason Isbell, and even Luke Bryan with Dierks Bentley. But no version is more beloved than the one Willie recorded with Merle Haggard in 1983. That duet shot straight to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and later earned a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
In fact, Nelson and Haggard even featured Van Zandt himself in the official music video—playing a young Federale in flashbacks and strumming his guitar in a diner scene.
At the Hollywood Bowl, George Strait stepped into Haggard’s role, creating a new chapter for this legendary song. It wasn’t just a duet; it was a passing of the torch, a celebration of Van Zandt’s genius, and a reminder of the magic that happens when great artists share the stage.
For fans lucky enough to be there, it was more than just a performance—it was history.
