PHOTOS: JULIA LOFSTRAND | Autism, a largely misunderstood developmental disorder affecting a range of issues from social skills to speech, affects 1 in 36 children in the US today. After a pandemic hiatus, Stephen and Kristin Stills annual Light Up The Blues charity concert finally returned to The Greek Theater in Los Angeles for its 6th year. All proceeds of the show went to Autism Speaks.
The Stills created Light Up The Blues to support other parents in need, as their own child Henry was born autistic. Hosted by comedian Jeff Garlin and actress Camryn Manheim, this year’s lineup featured veteran Light Up The Blues performers Neil Young, who also has children on the Autism spectrum, Joe Walsh, Willie Nelson, and Stephen Stills.
Always a generational family affair, Lukas Nelson + his band Promise of the Real and Chris Stills shared the bill with their legendary fathers. This year’s performers with autism were rapper Soulshocka, opera singer Amanda Anderson, and singer/guitarist Will Breman with indie-folk star Sharon Van Etten making a guest appearance.
We caught up with a few Light Up The Blues folks on the “Blue Carpet” before the show. Even famed ‘60s/’70s photographer, Henry Diltz, stopped by for The Stills’ family photo shot.