Farm Aid

In 1985, Willie Nelson was watching Live Aid and wondered why there wasn’t a concert for American farmers. He picked up the phone and called his friends Neil Young and John Mellencamp and suggested that they start an organization to help family farmers.

So Farm Aid was born. The first Farm Aid was held in Champaign, Illinois on September 22nd, 1985 at the University of Illinois football stadium. It included over 70 artists in a one day concert, headlined by Willie, Neil and John.

This photograph was taken during Jon Bon Jovi’s set, when Joe Walsh and Willie just wandered onstage to play behind Jon.

September 22nd, 1985 in Champaign, Illinois during the first Farm Aid there was a birthday party backstage for B.B. King.

Pictured here are B.B. King, David Allan Coe and Willie Nelson cutting the cake.

September 22nd, 1985 in Champaign, Illinois.Toward the end of the day, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were on stage. Toward the end of their set, Bob Dylan came strolling out from backstage to join the band for the final part of their set.

July 4th, 1986 in Champaign, Illinois.The second Farm Aid was held in Austin, Texas on Willie Nelson’s farm. One of the weirder pairings that day was when Julio Iglesias joined Willie on stage.

The fourth Farm Aid was announced for April 7th, 1990. A press conference was held a few weeks before the concert. Rolling Stone Magazine assigned me to drive down and do a photo of the principals. It was at that Farm Aid that I met the staff and volunteered to be their “official” photographer, a position I held until 2015.

April 7th, 1990 in Indianapolis, Indiana. This was the Farm Aid where Neil became the star of the show, in my opinion. He came through with an intense show, including some pointed commentary during the set.

September 29th, 2001 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Farm Aid in 2001 was held about 3 weeks after 9/11 and the theme was very patriotic. Shown here is John Mellencamp in front of an American flag backdrop, and Martina McBride, who had a hit song out called “Independence Day.”

September 7th, 2003 in Columbus, Ohio. Farm Aid in 2003 was held in Columbus, Ohio. Some of the highlights were Willie and Neil jamming together on “Down By the River” and Willie joining Trick Pony on stage during their set.

September 18th, 2005 in Chicago, Illinois. Farm Aid in 2005 was held in the Chicago area.

September 30th, 2006 in Camden New Jersey. Farm Aid in 2006 was held in Camden, New Jersey, right across the river from Philadelphia.

October 2nd, 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, This was the 25th Anniversary of Farm Aid, and took place in Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers. Among the crazy moments was a set by Steven Tyler, the lead singer of Aerosmith, who had just recorded a country record.He was joined on stage by Willie, in one of the most unique pairings in Farm Aid history.

September 22nd, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, New York.