Watch The Highwaymen Perform Their Signature Song at Farm Aid V Without Johnny Cash

The Highwaymen—Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash—took the stage for the first time at Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic in 1985. After that, they appeared onstage together several times at the Red-Headed Stranger’s annual summer gathering. Along with the Fourth of July Picnic, Nelson has been a major force behind Farm Aid since its inception. Surprisingly, the supergroup only played the benefit show twice. Maybe more surprising is that Cash was absent during their debut performance.

Farm Aid V took place at the Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas on March 14, 1992. The stacked lineup included performances from the benefit show’s organizers—Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young. Additionally, the fifth annual Farm Aid included Mary Chapin Carpenter, Asleep at the Wheel, Arlo Guthrie, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and many more. It was also the first time the Highwaymen performed at the event. Watch the legendary group, minus Cash, kick off their set with their signature song “Highwayman” below.

[RELATED: On This Day in 1985, The Highwaymen Take the Stage for the First Time at Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic]

“Highwayman” hits differently for many country fans today. Each member of the group takes on a character who dies in his respective line of work. However, each verse ends with them stating that they’ll live on forever. After last Saturday (September 28), Nelson is the last living member of the group. At the same time, fans around the world are seeing how true the lyrics of this iconic song are. Jennings, Cash, and Kristofferson will indeed live on forever through their songs and the memories they created during their lives.

A Look Back at the Short Run of the Highwaymen

The supergroup released their first album, Highwayman in 1985. The album and its Jimmy Webb-penned title track were No. 1 hits. However, they weren’t the Highwaymen yet. Their first two albums were instead credited to Nelson, Jennings, Cash, and Kristofferson.

In 1990, they released their second album, Highwayman 2. The album was a hit, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. However, the album’s singles didn’t see as much chart success as their first outing.

The group finally took the name The Highwaymen for their third and final studio album The Road Goes on Forever. Released in 1995, the album missed the top 40 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. At the same time, the album’s sole single, “It Is What It Is” failed to chart. However, this can easily be classified as one of the many times when chart success is not a measure of musical quality.

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