Back in 1985, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young organized the very first Farm Aid benefit concert in Champaign, Illinois, raising money for family farmers all across the nation. In 1997, 1998 and 2005, the annual concert returned to Illinois, bringing star-studded lineups to First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park. On September 19, Farm Aid will celebrate its 30th anniversary in Chicago, filling FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island with music, locally grown food and more surprises. To commemorate the occasion, we took a look through Farm Aid's video archives and found 12 amazing musical moments that have transpired during benefit shows in Illinois.
Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings "Folsom Prison Blues" (1985)
The very first Farm Aid concert in Champaign, Illinois attracted a veritable who's who of famous musicians. Even the man in black attended, performing a rendition of "Folsom Prison Blues" with his former roommate Waylon Jennings.
Lou Reed "A Walk on the Wild Side" (1985)
The former Velvet Underground frontman played bass in Roy Orbison's band at the first Farm Aid, but he also turned in a short solo set, dressed in his signature leather jacket.
Foreigner "I Wanna Know What Love Is" (1985)
Say what you will about this cheeseball '80s power ballad—this choir-backed version of the track in front of a jam-packed Memorial Stadium is pretty epic.
Beck "Ramshackle" (1997)
Though he was fresh off the success of Odelay, Beck Hansen left his turntables at home, turning in a country-tinged set that included this slow-burning gem.
John Fogerty "Fortunate Son" (1997)
It's hard to think of anyone who pulls off the bandana-around-the-neck look as easily as John Fogerty. He turns this Creedence Clearwater Revival classic into a calisthenics routine.
Willie Nelson "Whiskey River" (1997)
Before Willie became a leading marijuana proponent, his vice of choice was whiskey—the singer even had a small-batch bourbon named after this 1973 song.
John Mellencamp "Rain on the Scarecrow" (1998)
Telling the story of a farmer who has his land taken away by a bank foreclosure, this angry ballad by the Farm Aid cofounder acts as a thesis statement for the annual event.
Phish jams with Neil Young (1998)
What's groovier than Neil Young joining Phish onstage for an extended guitar noise and feedback jam?
Hootie & the Blowfish with Woody Harrelson "Jailhouse Rock" (1998)
We never realized Woody Harrelson could deliver such a convincing Elvis impression. Frankly, we're upset this talent wasn't explored via a karaoke scene in season one of True Detective.
Barack Obama introduces Wilco "Airline to Heaven" (2005)
Though he was only a lowly state senator at the time, Barack Obama's introduction set the stage for a stirring version of this Woody Guthrie-penned tune. Thanks, Obama!
Buddy Guy and John Mayer "What Kind of Woman is This?" (2005)
Do you recall when John Mayer was just a guy who made funny faces while playing the guitar? This duet with local blues legend Buddy Guy made us remember why Mayer's facial contortions became meme-worthy.
Neil Young and Emmylou Harris with Willie Nelson "This Old Guitar" (2005)
With so many famous artists performing at Farm Aid, it's not uncommon to see collaborations like this one, which features a star-studded trio playing a John Denver tune.
