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Kris Kristofferson was born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, USA into a military family. His mother was Mary Ann (née Ashbrook), while his father Henry was a US Army Air Corps officer who would rise to the rank of major general. Kris moved frequently during his childhood and developed a strong sense of discipline and duty, which later influenced his early career choices.
Kris excelled academically and athletically, but also took a keen interest in the burgeoning Californian music scene while attending San Mateo High School. He went on to attend Pomona College in California, where he graduated with a degree in literature in 1958. His studies continued (this time as a Rhodes Scholar) at Oxford University in England, where he also pursued writing, poetry, and his growing interest in music. In 1959, he met Tommy Steele's manager Larry Parnes who offered to manage him, and even arranged a recording contract under the name Kris Carson with Top Rank Records in London. However, these recordings were not successful and so upon finishing his studies, Kris, influenced by family expectations, returned to the USA where he joined the US Army, becoming a helicopter pilot. He served as a captain, but his passion for music never waned during this time.
In the mid-1960s, he made a life-changing decision to quit his military career and pursue songwriting in Nashville. This move was met with resistance from his family, but he remained determined to make his mark in the music industry. In Nashville, Kris worked various odd jobs to support himself, including as a janitor at Columbia Recording Studios and as a commercial helicopter pilot. He famously landed a helicopter on Johnny Cash’s front lawn in a bold attempt to get Cash to listen to his demo tapes - a story that has since become legendary in the world of country music.
Kristofferson’s persistence paid off when his songwriting began to attract attention from major country artists. In 1969, Roger Miller recorded Kristofferson’s song “Me and Bobby McGee,” which became a hit and brought Kristofferson into the spotlight as a songwriter. The song would later be immortalised by Janis Joplin, whose version became a posthumous number-one hit in 1971, establishing Kristofferson as a major songwriting talent.
Throughout the 1970s, Kristofferson’s songs became some of the most covered and revered in country music. Hits like “For the Good Times", recorded by Ray Price, "Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down", made famous by Johnny Cash and "Help Me Make It Through the Night", sung by Sammi Smith, along with songs covered by Ray Price ("For the Good Times"), Waylon Jennings ("The Taker"), and Bobby Bare ("Come Sundown"), all helped cement Kristofferson’s reputation as a master lyricist. His ability to write about human vulnerability, heartache, and existential themes with poetic precision set him apart from many of his contemporaries in country music.
"Help Me Make It Through the Night" has become one of the most covered songs in the history of music publishing, having been covered by more than 470 singers since the first version emerged in May 1970 by the soul singer Percy Sledge. Since then it has been recorded by such diverse names as Peggy Lee, Bill Anderson, Glen Campbell, Conway Twitty, Dorothy Squires, Bobby Bare, Bryan Adams, Joan Baez, Skeeter Davis, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, Olivia Newton-John, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Brian Ferry and Telly Savalas, with the most recent release (by Billy Dean) appearing just a few weeks before Kristofferson's passing.
In addition to his songwriting success, Kris embarked on a solo recording career. His 1970 debut album "Kristofferson" (later re-released as "Me and Bobby McGee") introduced his raw, gravelly voice and storytelling style to the public. Although his voice was unconventional by Nashville standards, it resonated with fans who appreciated his gritty, authentic approach to songwriting. His 1971 album "The Silver Tongued Devil and I" further established him as a major recording artist, and he quickly became known for his countercultural appeal, blending country, folk, and rock influences.
Kristofferson’s success in music also led to a prolific career in acting. He made his film debut in "The Last Movie" (1971), directed by Dennis Hopper, and soon began to appear in more prominent roles. In 1976, he starred opposite Barbra Streisand in "A Star Is Born", a role that earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. This marked the height of his acting career, and Kristofferson would go on to appear in ninety films over the next several decades, including "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid", "Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore", "Heaven’s Gate" and the Blade trilogy (1998-2004), where he played the role of Whistler.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Kris remained active in both music and film, though his commercial success in music began to wane. However, his impact on the industry remained intact, and he became an influential figure for the emerging outlaw country movement alongside artists like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash. Together, they challenged the polished, mainstream sound of Nashville, advocating for a more rebellious, authentic approach to country music. Kristofferson’s role in this movement was pivotal, both as a solo artist and through his collaborations with Nelson and others. In 1985, he, Nelson, Jennings, and Cash formed the supergroup The Highwaymen, which became one of the most iconic collaborations in country music history.
Kris's work continued to be celebrated well into the later years of his career. In 2004, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, a testament to his enduring influence on the genre. In 2007, he received the Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding contributions to songwriting.
Despite health challenges in the 2010s, including a misdiagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (later revealed to be Lyme disease), Kris continued to perform and record music. He released several albums during this time, including "Closer to the Bone" (2009) and "Feeling Mortal" (2012), which reflected a sense of introspection and reflection on aging and mortality. His live performances, often accompanied only by his guitar, showcased his raw, unfiltered style and his ability to connect with audiences through his deeply personal lyrics.
Kris officially retired from touring in 2020, bringing to a close a career that spanned more than five decades. His legacy as a songwriter, lyricist, and actor remains profound, influencing generations of musicians and artists across genres. Known for his poetic lyricism, honesty, and willingness to tackle difficult subjects in his songs, Kristofferson’s work transcended the boundaries of country music, earning him a lasting place in American cultural history.
ALthough proud of his military service, Kris opposed the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, the Gulf War and the invasion of Panama, as well as the apartheid government in South Africa. His work to raise money for Palestinian children led to considerable criticism of his actions, but throughout his life, he never wavered in his anti-war and pro-humanitarian views.
International Songwriters Association Hall Of Fame Member.
At the age of 88, on the 28th September 2024, in Maui, Hawaii, USA, of undisclosed causes.
© Jim Liddane
Copyright Songwriter Magazine, International Songwriters Association & Jim Liddane: All Rights Reserved
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