There aren’t many “nepo babies” who truly hold their own, but Lukas Nelson, son of the incomparable Willie Nelson, is certainly one of them. As a dedicated artisan to the craft of music, Lukas has taken up his father’s mantle with grace and a sound all his own. Of course, the budding country legend also excels at paying homage to the country and folk singers who came before him.
Recently, he and fellow country artist Sierra Ferrell did his father’s longtime friend Neil Young justice with a stunning cover of Young’s “Unknown Legend” that fans immediately fell in love with.
@lukasnelsonmusic Any time spent with @Sierra Ferrell and @The Travelin McCourys is special.. Especially in the studio! Here’s a little glimpse in to the process of recording Neil Young’s UnknownLegend. Watch the full video on YouTube now!
♬ Unknown Legend (with The Travelin’ McCourys) – Lukas Nelson & Sierra Ferrell
“Saw you at Farm Aid last month and became an instant fan. Love the purity of your voice,” said one fan.
“This is such a fun cover. More vibrant than the original Young starting point for this song,” another noted.
“Lukas makes every beautiful song that much better,” praised another.
Lukas told fans they could find the full version on YouTube—something many rushed to do so they could hear the entire “gorgeous” rendition.
The Meaning Behind “Unknown Legend”
The song, which follows the story of a man who falls in love with a free-spirited woman only to eventually keep her in a gilded cage, is deeply personal for Neil Young. Featured on his Harvest Moon album, the track was written about his wife and fellow musician, Pegi Young.
Pegi, the mother of his two children, lived up to the “unknown legend” label in her own right. After giving birth to their son Ben, who has cerebral palsy, she co-founded The Bridge School—an institution that helps children with disabilities explore their talents and lead independent lives.
She made her artistic debut in 1994 at the Academy Awards, singing backup for Neil as he performed “Philadelphia” on piano, according to Glide Magazine. She later toured and recorded with him before launching her own solo career in 2007.
“When you compare yourself to him [Neil Young], you know, ‘Uh oh!’ An impossibly high bar—you don’t want to go there,” she told Glide Magazine. “Because then you feel like, ‘Oh my God, I’m never accomplishing anything!’ But he really helped me in terms of thinking about the recording process. You know, he’s made some 40-odd records—at least, I don’t even know anymore. But he had some really good advice for me about being in the studio and working on a song when it’s just not coming together.”
