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Remembering Kris Kristofferson, US country singer and actor, dies aged 88
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Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down
From Kris’ debut album “Kristofferson” (1970).
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For The Good Times
From the Kris Kristofferson album ‘Live from Austin, TX’.
For Kris Kristofferson, the fastest route to Nashville was
a series of detours. He excelled in college as a literature
scholar. He joined the U.S. Army, learned to fly a
helicopter, and rose to the rank of captain. He accepted
a job teaching literature at the U.S. Military Academy
at West Point.
And then, against his family’s wishes, he let it go to pursue
his dream of becoming a songwriter.
“To me, writing songs, I feel, saved my life,” he said. “If
you want to be a songwriter and … you can’t do anything
else—I mean, you just can’t write songs, then do it.”
Following his passion, Kristofferson became one of country
music’s most respected songwriters, expanding what
defines a country song.
Born June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, Kristofferson
grew up in a military family and did well in academics and
sports. He also followed the Grand Ole Opry, admired
Hank Williams, and worked at writing songs. Still, music
took a back seat until 1965 when, just before, he was to
start at West Point, he traveled to Nashville and couldn’t
resist the opportunities.
His parents were crushed, but Kristofferson was
determined to have a music career. To make ends meet,
he worked odd jobs—janitor, bartender, carpenter’s
assistant. By 1969, he was a leader among a new breed
of songwriters who rebelled against traditional styles,
explored new topics with frank honesty, and found
inspiration in poetry.
“Kristofferson got here by doing the opposite of what
we’ve been told is the right way to do things,” music critic
Peter Cooper wrote.
In 1970, Kristofferson won Song of the Year honors from
both the Country Music Association and the Academy
of Country Music—for two different songs. In 1971,
his songs were three of the five Grammy nominees for
Best Country Song; he won for “Help Me Make It
Through the Night.”
The acclaim encouraged Kristofferson to launch his own
recording career, and his gravelly voice has served his songs
well. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in
2004, he also has stayed busy as a film and television actor
in between writing, recording, and performing.
“I recommend following your heart,” Kristofferson said of
the path he chose. “You just have to do what you feel like
you were set down here to do.”
Sources: American Songwriter; Encyclopedia of Country Music;
Outlaw: Waylon, Willie, Kris, and the Renegades of Nashville by Michael Streissguth; The Washington Post.
Kris Kristofferson, who wrote indelible songs about lovers, loners, boozers and a footloose pair of hitchhikers — and who later became a screen star, appearing in dozens of films — has died at age88.
According to his representative, the singer, songwriter and actor died peacefully in his home in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday, Sept. 28, surrounded by family. No cause of death was shared.
Kristofferson made his name as a songwriter in Nashville starting in the late 1960s, penning songs including “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” which other singers (Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash and Sammi Smith, respectively) took to the top of the charts.
His fame and sex symbol status grew through his movie roles, most notably when he co-starred with Barbra Streisand in the 1976 remake of A Star is Born.