R.I.P., Kris Kristofferson

Remembering not only one of our greatest songwriters, but a true American patriot that fought tirelessly for freedom and justice for the underdog.

Everybody's gotta have somebody to look down on
Prove they can be better than at any time they please
Someone doin' somethin' dirty, decent folks can frown on
You can't find nobody else, then help yourself to me

- “Jesus Was A Capricorn”

To understand Kris Kristofferson’s character, one need look no further than on the night of October 18, 1992, during Bob Dylan’s 30th anniversary concert celebration. Kristofferson was Master of Ceremonies for the evening, introducing an all-star lineup that included George Harrison, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Chrissy Hynde, Johnny and June Carter Cash, The O’Jays, John Cougar Mellencamp, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Tracy Chapman, Eddie Vedder, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rosanne Cash, Eric Clapton, and many others.

One of the artists scheduled to appear was Sinead O’Connor. Earlier that afternoon she had rehearsed a version of “I Believe In You,” one of Dylan’s most powerful songs from his “Christian phase.” (O’Connor had recorded a version on A Very Special Christmas 2 benefit album that year.) O’Connor had recently appeared on Saturday Night Live where, during her performance of Bob Marley’s “War,” she ripped up a picture of the Pope while declaring, “Fight the real enemy.” The incident was still fresh in the minds of the public, so when Kristofferson introduced her that evening, loud boos were heard throughout Madison Square Garden. As O’Connor stood before the crowd, she took in the moment and reacted to their boos by again singing Bob Marley’s “War” a capella, as a direct middle finger to her hecklers. Kristofferson walked out on stage amid the boos and offered her words of encouragement, “Don’t let the bastards get you down.” Then, he embraced her when she left the stage. That was the character of Kris Kristofferson.

Years later in 2009, he paid tribute to O’Connor on the second of his Don Was-produced trilogy of albums, Closer to the Bone.

Kristofferson always championed and fought for the disenfranchised, the downtrodden, the underdog. He was one of America’s greatest songwriters, of course, but he was also a true patriot. He was a star at both football and rugby, a Golden Gloves boxer, and a Rhodes scholar. He attended Oxford University’s Morton College where he earned a Master’s Degree in English Literature. He served his country as an Army Ranger and helicopter pilot. He turned down a teaching position at West Point to be a janitor at Columbia Studios in the ‘60s, where he emptied ashtrays and trash cans while artists such as Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash were recording soon-to-be classic albums. He swept floors so he could be closer to the dream he was pursuing; he wanted people to hear his songs.

The stories are legendary. You know them; like the one where he landed a helicopter on Johnny Cash’s lawn just so the Man in Black would listen to his song. It paid off.

There’s not enough space to pay proper tribute to such an icon of American music. In moments like this, mere words cannot do Kris Kristofferson justice. Many people in the next few days will be offering beautiful essays, anecdotes, and memories of this titan of songwriting, this warrior for justice, and a damn fine actor as well. In the end, however, as Tyler Mahan Coe put it:

I’m such an insufferable music nerd that the first time I saw Taxi Driver I was most impressed with the scene where Cybil Shepherd’s character told DeNiro’s Travis Bickle all about Kris Kristofferson while holding a copy of The Silver Tongued Devil and I, the first Kristofferson album I owned. Taste validated, I guess?

Two from my Kristofferson stash.

Part of the Mount Rushmore of Texas songwriters (mine include Guy Clark, Billy Joe Shaver, Willie, and Kris - with a rotating 5th one that could include Townes Van Zandt, Joe Ely, Terry Allen, James McMurtry, Lyle Lovett, etc - Kristofferson is probably as close to a renaissance man as we’re likely to encounter in our time. I’m still looking for lyrics better than “To Beat The Devil.” Haven’t found any yet.

Anyway, I’d suggest cueing up The Austin Sessions for a perfect overview of Kristofferson’s best-loved songs, done by an older, wiser Kris and a few hand-picked special guests. The whole thing is a treasure. After that, pick up the three Don Was-produced albums: This Old Road, Closer to the Bone, and Feeling Mortal. As for his part in the Highwaymen - that supergroup with Waylon, Willie, and Cash - their third, The Road Goes On Forever, again, produced by Was, is their best.

After that, go watch his movies: Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Cisco Pike, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, A Star Is Born - hell, even his performance in Blade is badass - and dozens more. Then come back to the songs. Because it always comes back to the songs.

He single-handedly changed the sound of country music. Yes, he made it sexy, but he approached sex with both a seductiveness and an aching, sometimes melancholy maturity. He was also vulnerable and self-aware, especially when he turned inward on songs such as “The Silver Tongued Devil and I.”

He may talk you into taking the ribbon from your hair and lay down beside him until the early morning light, for the good times, and once more with feeling. But he also cried out for justice when our peacemakers fell. He fought against inequality. He remained in a league of his own his entire career.

Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose. Nothin’ ain’t worth nothin’ but it’s free.

Damn right.

Say hello to my mom and dad, Kris. They loved you, and they’ll sure be honored to finally meet you. Be sure to hug Mom while serenading her with “Loving Her Was Easier Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again.” Make her swoon.

Photo: Marina Chavez

For more on Kristofferson’s passing, I defer to Chris Morris’s excellent obit in Variety.

Here’s a Mixtape of just 20 of my favorite Kris tunes. The best we can do right now is listen.