Kris Kristofferson died at his home in Hawaii on September 28, 2024 at the age of 88. His death was announced this past Sunday. I took the title of this occasional series from one of his classic songs and feel an obligation to acknowledge his death and pay him this (inadequate) tribute here.
Everyone knows Kristofferson was a star of stage and screen as a singer/songwriter and charismatic actor. A Rhodes Scholar who took a second degree (B.Phil.) in English literature at Oxford’s Merton College, he put his education to work in the craft he brought to the lyrics of the songs he wrote. The almost unbelievable range of artists who covered his songs is a testament to his gifts.
At the urging of his father, he went on to serve in the Army and receive Ranger training. He learned how to fly a helicopter in the course of his service and reached the rank of Captain. However, music was calling him.
Kristofferson’s site is here. It includes this useful biography. Working oil rigs to support himself, Kristofferson put in his time in Nashville when he could. He persisted to work up a catalog of songs that would launch his career.
The biography posted at his site includes this illuminating passage:
He believed that songwriting is a spiritual communion of mind, body, and soul, and he believed that William Blake was correct in asserting that anyone divinely ordered for spiritual communion but buries his talent will be pursued by sorrow and desperation through life and by shame and confusion for eternity.
“(Blake) is telling you that you’ll be miserable if you don’t do what you’re supposed to do,” Kristofferson said in the Ken Burns’ documentary Country Music.
Kristofferson put his flying skills to use at a critical point in his career. One version of the story goes this way and it’s not entirely a tall tale: “Eager to get into the country music scene, Kristofferson made a bold decision to take a big shot. He took a helicopter and landed it on Johnny Cash’s lawn. He reportedly strutted out of the pilot’s seat with a demo cassette in one hand, and, at least according to Cash, a beer in the other.”
Kristofferson insisted he couldn’t fly a helicopter holding a beer. He added that Cash wasn’t home at the time. However, he did drop off a demo tape of “Sunday Morning Coming Down” after landing the helicopter and Cash turned it into a number 1 country hit.
My object here is to pay my respects by pointing to a few classic Kristofferson songs. Please forgive any errors as well as the numerous omissions.
The writing of “Me and Bobby McGee” is credited both to Kristofferson and to Monument Records founder Fred Foster. Foster produced Kristofferson for the label in 1970. Foster’s contribution to “Me and Bobby McGee” was limited to the suggestion that Kristofferson write a song for studio secretary Bobby McKee. Beyond the title of the song, this is pure, unadulterated Kristofferson.
I first heard the song and became aware of Kristofferson when I heard Gordon Lightfoot sing the understated cover on Sit Down Young Stranger, as the album was titled when I bought it the moment it was released in 1970.
Janis Joplin of course covered it in monumental fashion on Pearl (1971). Kristofferson later
The self-titled album was loaded with the classic songs Kristofferson had compiled while struggling to make an impression in Nashville. “Help Me Make It Through the Night” is another one off that album. Johnny Cash, among many others, covered it (on his At Folsom Prison).
Krisofferson married Rita Coolidge in 1973. I saw the two of them perform together at Dartmouth’s Spaulding Auditorium (in 1972, I think). You could feel the heat radiating from the stage. Here is the song performed live by Kris and Rita that year.
What is to be said about “Sunday Morning Coming Down”? The guy could write.
“For the Good Times” is yet another classic from Kristofferson.
The song has been covered by artists from Perry Como to Elvis Presley. In case you missed it, here is the Reverend Al Green in his heyday covering it on I’m Still In Love With You (1972) with the usual Willie Mitchell production.
Kristofferson recorded “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)” for the follow-up album The Silver-Tongued Devil and I (1971), also produced by Foster for Monument Records.
Starting with Full Moon in 1973, Kristofferson recorded three albums with Rita Coolidge. The writing of “I’m Down (But I Keep Falling)” is credited both to Kristofferson and Coolidge. The addition of Coolidge’s voice sweetened the mix. Their albums together were produced by David Anderle for A&M, which was Coolidge’s home base.
“Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends” foretold the end of their story together. They divorced in 1980. This is from their third and final album, Natural Act (1978)
Kristofferson teamed up with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson in the Highwaymen. This recording of “Here Comes the Rainbow Again” comes from The Road Goes on Forever (1995), produced by Don Was. Kristofferson originally recorded the song in 1982 for The Winning Hand (with Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Brenda Lee) on the reactivated Monument Records label.
Martina McBride covered the song on the tribute album The Life and Songs of Kris Kristofferson (2017). I would only add that if William Blake were writing lyrics for country songs in the twentieth century, I think it might go something like this.
As always, I want to go out on a high note. Kristofferson recorded “If You Don’t Like Hank Williams” for Surreal Thing (1976). Hank Williams, Jr. turned in a rousing cover for the Kristofferson tribute album. We can observe several circles closing here. RIP.
