Kris made country music a much more poetic and intellectual genre. He juxtaposes the simplicity of the melody and chord progression with a concise economy of words to express very deep and complex feelings and concepts. That is the definition of poetry and art...expressing powerful ideas or imagery with minimal words or brushstrokes.
One of the first pop tunes that caught my attention was Me and Bobby McGee which still captivates me to this day. Help me make it Through the Night was another of my favorites and I always admired his portrayal of the washed up rock star opposite Barbara Streisand in A Star is Born. He will be fondly remembered and missed.
I have been listening to Kris Kristofferson since I was 8 or 9, one of the first albums I ever owned was The Silver Tongued Devil and I. I am heartbroken to hear that he has passed. Thank you for this.
The last I saw of him was in the Willie Nelson Tribute and I looked at him and said he's not long for this world. It gave me chills this morning to hear he had passed. Those that knew him said he was a very gentle man, very shy. You are right Michael he was such a great song writer, my favorite is "Sunday Morning Coming Down". I remember playing his records over and over in the 60's and 70's, "Help me make it through the night". It seems he had this ability to put into words and music his heart that would lead you visually through every word of his lyrics. He was one of a kind who fought the demons in his life and won. Did you know he was to go to West Point, he was from a military family. Love, light, healing and comfort to his family and those who loved him.
My tribute to Kris is “The Pilgrim: Chapter 33”. “See him wasted on the sidewalk in his jacket and his jeans…Never knowing if believing is a blessing or a curse, or if the going up was worth the comin’ down”
He came around a few years ago, and I thought to myself, he's not going to be around forever. I'm not sure if that was his last tour, but I'm glad I went and took the opportunity while I had it
In the mid 70's my best friends mother (kind of a mother to me as well) who was an english professor and her PHD was in musical ballads. She invited David Allen Coe, and Kris Kristofferson to her class to speak. The night before at 15 years old I had dinner with them. It was pretty amazing. They played together in the living room. Never forget it. Just the most gracious kind guys.
The line that's been going through my head since I heard the news: "From the rockin of the cradle to the rollin of the hearse; the goin up was worth the comin down".
I’m pretty sure that the first time that I heard this tune it was in his movie “Cisco Pike “ with Gene Hackman playing the bad cop. In the credits I think it states that the movie is based on the life of Ramblin jack Elliot. Great movie!
