A juggernaut lineup of classic rock stars performed April 21, 2018, at Stephen Stills’ Light Up The Blues benefit concert at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The annual event, organized by Stills and his wife, Kristen, saw the musician reunite on stage with his three-time bandmate Neil Young and others, including the Heartbreakers’ first onstage reunion since Tom Petty’s death in October 2017.
The Saturday night concert featured Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell, keyboardist Benmont Tench and drummer Steve Ferrone as the event’s house band.
The 2016 edition of the concert which benefits Autism Speaks, was also believed to be the last time that Stills and Young, shared a stage. [The pair again reunited on stage for the 2023 edition of the benefit concert.] Also joining at the 2018 event were Sheryl Crow, Stills’ 2017-18 touring partner Judy Collins, songwriting legend Burt Bacharach, Chris Stills, Oliver Stills, Beck, and emcee Jack Black. Patti Smith, a previously unannounced guest, also performed.
The 2018 event included Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” featuring the Heartbreakers band, with Stills on guitar and singing lead and Campbell offering his familiar guitar solo.
Young opened his set with a solo rendition of “Sugar Mountain.” (The music begins at the 1:30 mark.)
Young and Stills played “Long May You Run” from their 1976 collaboration, the Stills-Young Band. “I’d like to bring up my brother, Stephen,” said Young…
… as well as “Mr. Soul” and “For What It’s Worth” from their days together in Buffalo Springfield.
Smith sang 1978’s “Because the Night,” backed by Campbell, Tench and Ferrone.
Smith also sang her “People Have the Power” with Stills, Young, the Heartbreakers band, and others.
The Stills’ son, Henry, was diagnosed with autism as a youngster. The annual awareness and fundraising campaign previously ran from 2013-2016 but took one year off.
1 Comment
Who took these videos and what drugs were they on? Man, they can’t get the camera in focus, they’re bouncing all over the place. Pretty disappointing videos of great legends in music