Kris Kristofferson Dies

His deep, gravelly voice and evocative lyrics earned him respect as one of the key figures in the outlaw country movement of the 1970s.

Kris Kristofferson was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and former military officer whose contributions to music and film have spanned decades. Born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, Kristofferson came from a military family. His father was a U.S. Army Air Corps officer, and the family moved frequently during Kris’s early years. He excelled academically and athletically, earning a Rhodes Scholarship1 to study at Merton College, Oxford.

He graduated with a degree in English Literature in 1960. While at Oxford, Kristofferson began writing songs and performing, though his family’s military tradition initially led him down a different path. After graduating from Oxford, Kristofferson joined the U.S. Army. Rising to the rank of captain, he became a helicopter pilot after receiving flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He also completed Ranger School2. He served in various locations, including West Germany,

where he continued to develop his interest in music. However, military service was not his passion, and despite his family’s objections, Kristofferson left the military in the mid-1960s to pursue a career in songwriting. Before finding success, he took a job as a commercial helicopter pilot for Petroleum Helicopters International (PHI), based in Lafayette, Louisiana. It was during this time that he famously flew a helicopter to Johnny Cash’s house to deliver a demo tape, a bold move that eventually helped launch his career. Kristofferson’s songwriting skills quickly gained recognition in the country music scene.

His most well-known compositions include “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” and “For the Good Times.” These songs were recorded by legendary artists like Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, and Ray Price. His deep, gravelly voice and evocative lyrics earned him respect as one of the key figures in the outlaw country movement of the 1970s,

Studio LPs

  • Kristofferson 1970 Monument Records
  • The Silver Tongued Devil and I 1971 Monument Records
  • Border Lord 1972 Monument Records
  • Jesus Was a Capricorn 1972 Monument Records
  • Spooky Lady’s Sideshow 1974 Monument Records
  • Who’s to Bless and Who’s to Blame 1975 Monument Records
  • Surreal Thing 1976 Monument Records
  • Easter Island 1978 Monument Records
  • Shake Hands with the Devil 1979 Monument Records
  • To the Bone 1981 Monument Records
  • Repossessed 1986 Mercury Records
  • Third World Warrior 1990 Mercury Records
  • A Moment of Forever 1995 Justice Records
  • The Austin Sessions 1999 Atlantic Records
  • This Old Road 2006 New West Records
  • Closer to the Bone 2009 New West Records
  • Feeling Mortal 2013 KK Records
  • The Cedar Creek Sessions 2016 KK Records

alongside Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Kristofferson’s musical success eventually led to his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004. In addition to his music career, Kristofferson achieved success in Hollywood. He made his acting debut in the 1971 film The Last Movie but rose to greater prominence with films like Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974),

Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973), and his acclaimed performance in A Star is Born (1976), for which he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. Kristofferson continued to balance music and acting throughout his career, with roles in films such as Blade (1998) and Heaven’s Gate (1980).

The Highwaymen were a country music supergroup composed of four legendary artists: Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. Formed in 1985, the group brought together these “outlaw” country icons, who were known for challenging the conventions of Nashville’s music industry.

They recorded three albums together, with their debut, Highwayman (1985), producing the hit title track “Highwayman,” written by Jimmy Webb. The group was known for their unique blend of traditional country with a rebellious edge and toured extensively,

delighting fans with both solo performances and collaborative tracks. Though their last album, The Road Goes on Forever, was released in 1995, their influence continues to resonate in country music today.

He has been married three times, first to Fran Beer in 1960. His second wife was singer Rita Coolidge, with whom he collaborated musically. The couple had one child before divorcing. Kristofferson later married Lisa Meyers in 1983, and they have five children together. Despite his successful career, he has been open about his struggles with addiction, which he eventually overcame.

Kristofferson has received numerous awards for his work. In addition to his Golden Globe, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also been honored with the Johnny Mercer Award, the highest honor from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Kristofferson’s legacy as a storyteller, both in song and film, has left an indelible mark on American culture.

Songs Written By

  • Anthem ’84 1986
  • A Song I’d Like to Sing 1973
  • A Stitch in the Hand (Is Worth Two in the Bush) 1966
  • Between Heaven and Here 1995
  • Billy Dee 1971
  • Blame It on the Stones 1969
  • Border Lord 1971
  • Breakdown 1971
  • Burden of Freedom 1971
  • Casey’s Last Ride 1970
  • Chase the Feeling 2006
  • Closer To The Bone 2009
  • Come Sundown 1970
  • Darby’s Castle 1969
  • Don’t Cuss the Fiddle 1975
  • Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down 1989
  • El Coyote 1986
  • El Gavilan (The Hawk) 1986
  • Enough for You 1972
  • Epitaph (Black and Blue) 1971
  • Fallen Angel 1979
  • Forever in Your Love 1977
  • For the Good Times 1968
  • From the Bottle to the Bottom 1968
  • Funky Water 1972
  • Gettin’ by, High and Strange 1971
  • Give It Time to Be Tender 1972
  • Good Morning John 1985
  • Hall of Angels 2006
  • Help Me Make It Through the Night 1969 #1 Country Sammi Smith/ #1 Canadian Country Willie Nelson
  • Here Comes That Rainbow Again 1981
  • I’d Rather Be Sorry 1967
  • If It’s All the Same to You 1975
  • If You Don’t Like Hank Williams
  • I Hate Your Ugly Face 2009
  • I May Smoke Too Much 1974
  • It’s All Over (All Over Again) 1973
  • It’s Never Gonna Be the Same Again 1976
  • It Sure Was 1972
  • I’ve Got to Have You 1971
  • Jesse Younger 1971
  • Jesus Was a Capricorn 1972
  • Jody and the Kid 1968
  • Johnny Lobo 1995
  • Josie 1971
  • Just the Other Side of Nowhere 1970
  • Killer Barracuda 1979
  • Kiss the World Goodbye 1970
  • Late Again 1974
  • Living Legend 1978
  • Love Don’t Live Here Anymore 1970
  • Love Is the Way 1985
  • Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again) 1970
  • Magdalene 1981
  • Maybe You Heard 1981
  • Me and Bobby McGee 1969 #1 for Janis Joplin/ #1 Country for Jerry Lee Lewis/ #1 Canadian Country for Gordon Lightfoot
  • Mean Old Man 1986
  • Moment of Forever 1995
  • New Mister Me 1995
  • Nobody Wins 1972
  • Once More with Feeling 1969
  • One Day at a Time 1974
  • Out of Mind, Out of Sight 1972
  • Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends 1970
  • Prove it to You (One More Time) 1979
  • Rescue Mission 1974
  • Road Warrior’s Lament 1995
  • Rock and Roll Time 1974
  • Rocket to Stardom 1975
  • Sam’s Song 1995
  • Sandinista 1989
  • Shadows of Her Mind 1967
  • Shipwrecked in the Eighties 1986
  • Smile at Me Again 1974
  • Smokey Put the Sweat on Me 1971
  • Somebody Nobody Knows 1971
  • Something They Can’t Take Away 1976
  • Stranger 1975
  • Sugar Man 1968
  • Sunday Morning Coming Down 1969 #1 Country Johnny Cash
  • Tell Me One More Time 2009
  • The Best of All Possible Worlds 1969
  • The Bigger the Fool (The Harder the Fall) 1978
  • The Heart 1986
  • The Junkie and the Juicehead Minus Me 1970
  • The Lady’s Not for Sale 1970
  • The Last Time 1980
  • The Law Is for Protection of the People 1969
  • The Loving Gift 1972
  • The Pilgrim – Chapter 33 1971
  • The Same Old Song 1972
  • The Silver Tongued Devil and I 1971
  • The Stranger I Love 1976
  • The Taker 1970
  • The Viet Nam Blues 1965
  • The Year 2000 Minus 25 1975
  • They Killed Him 1984
  • Third World War 1989
  • This Old Road 1986
  • To Beat the Devil 1969
  • Under the Gun 1995
  • When I Loved Her 1968
  • Who’s to Bless and Who’s to Blame 1975
  • Why Me 1972 #1 Country/Canadian Country Kris Kristofferson
  • Your Time’s Comin’ 1969
  • You Show Me Yours (And I’ll Show You Mine) 1976

What a great loss. What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend. I will always love you.

Dolly Parton, who performed duets with Kristofferson such as From Here to the Moon and Back

What a gentleman, kind soul, and a lover of words. I am so glad I got to meet him and be around him. One of my favourite people.

Reba McEntire

It was a joy seeing him receive the recognition and love he so richly deserved.

Barbara Streisand

Kris Kristofferson passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, September 28, 2024. He was 88. He is survived by his third wife, Lisa Meyers, whom he married in 1983 and had five children with, adding to three other children from his first two marriages.

Footnotes
  1. A Rhodes Scholar is a recipient of the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, established in 1902 by British philanthropist Cecil Rhodes. This scholarship offers full financial support for selected students to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford in the UK. Rhodes Scholars are chosen for their outstanding academic achievements, leadership potential, commitment to public service, and character. The selection process is highly competitive, with applicants from around the world demonstrating excellence in both intellectual and extracurricular fields. The program aims to develop future leaders who will promote international understanding and peace. ↩︎
  2. Becoming a U.S. Army Ranger in the 1960s was an extremely demanding process, requiring physical and mental toughness. Candidates had to pass rigorous screening, which included fitness tests, survival skills, and advanced combat training. Ranger School, established in the early 1950s, involved intense physical conditioning, airborne operations, and leadership training under extreme conditions. Trainees endured sleep deprivation, food scarcity, and grueling marches while learning advanced tactics in a variety of environments like mountains, swamps, and forests. The dropout rate was high, and those who succeeded displayed exceptional endurance, discipline, and adaptability . ↩︎
Further Reading
Sources

Author: Doyle

I was born in Atlanta, moved to Alpharetta at 4, lived there for 53 years and moved to Decatur in 2016. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech).

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Doyle's Space

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading