RIP Kris Kristofferson
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Kris Kristofferson, who attained success as both a groundbreaking country music singer-songwriter and a Hollywood film and TV star, died Saturday at home in Maui, Hawaii. No cause of death was given, but he was described as passing away peacefully while surrounded by family. He was 88.
Said his family in a statement, “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 28 at home. We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.” The statement was offered on behalf of Kristofferson’s wife, Lisa; his eight children, Tracy, Kris Jr., Casey, Jesse, Jody, John, Kelly and Blake; and his seven grandchildren.
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Not your typical personna....
In 1958, Kristofferson was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford,[10] studying at Merton College.[11] While at Oxford, he was awarded a Blue for boxing,[11] played rugby for his college, and began writing songs.
Kristofferson, under pressure from his family, joined the U.S. Army and was commissioned as a second lieutenant, attaining the rank of captain. He became a helicopter pilot after receiving flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He also completed Ranger School.[16] During the early 1960s, he was stationed in West Germany as a member of the 8th Infantry Division. During this time, he resumed his music career and formed a band. In 1965, after his tour in Germany ended, Kristofferson was given an assignment to teach English literature at West Point.
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Impressive human being. I was fond of his acting, too. He had a memorable role in Payback.
During post-production, Helgeland was removed by Gibson and the producers, who rewrote and reshot substantial portions of the film, including a different third act and a new villain played by Kris Kristofferson. This version of the film was released by Paramount Pictures on February 5, 1999, and received mixed reviews from critics.[5]
In 2006, Helgeland issued a director's cut, entitled Payback: Straight Up, that differs substantially from the version released by the studio. This new version received a more positive reception, and is generally considered superior to the theatrical cut.[6]
I didn't know that. Glad I looked this up. I will have to find this director's cut.
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I've become a huge fan of Jimmy Webb in the last few months.
"Highwayman" is a Webb song...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highwayman_(song)
In 1984, Campbell played the song "Highwayman" for Johnny Cash, who was making a quartet album with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson. A few years earlier, Webb brought the song to Jennings, but Jennings, having heard the Campbell version, said "I just couldn't see it then."[3] The four were all together in Switzerland doing a television special and decided that they should do a project together.[4] While the four were recording their first album, Marty Stuart again played the song for Cash, saying it would be perfect for them—four verses, four souls, and four of them.[5] Campbell then played the song again, this time to all four of them, and the quartet had the name for their new supergroup, the Highwaymen, the name of their first album, Highwayman, and the name of their first single. The four thought it was a perfect name for them because they were always on the road and all four had the image of being outlaws in country music.[4]
In the Highwaymen's version of the song, each of the four verses was sung by a different performer: first Nelson as the highwayman, then Kristofferson as the sailor, then Jennings as the dam builder, and finally Cash as the starship captain. Webb later observed, "I don't know how they decided who would take which verse, but having Johnny last was like having God singing your song."[1] Rosanne Cash has said her father did not realize the song was about reincarnation until she explained it to him.
Kristofferson was a true polymath...
Rhoades scholar
'Copter pilot
Ranger
Professor
Singer
Songwriter
Actor -
I've become a huge fan of Jimmy Webb in the last few months.
"Highwayman" is a Webb song...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highwayman_(song)
In 1984, Campbell played the song "Highwayman" for Johnny Cash, who was making a quartet album with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson. A few years earlier, Webb brought the song to Jennings, but Jennings, having heard the Campbell version, said "I just couldn't see it then."[3] The four were all together in Switzerland doing a television special and decided that they should do a project together.[4] While the four were recording their first album, Marty Stuart again played the song for Cash, saying it would be perfect for them—four verses, four souls, and four of them.[5] Campbell then played the song again, this time to all four of them, and the quartet had the name for their new supergroup, the Highwaymen, the name of their first album, Highwayman, and the name of their first single. The four thought it was a perfect name for them because they were always on the road and all four had the image of being outlaws in country music.[4]
In the Highwaymen's version of the song, each of the four verses was sung by a different performer: first Nelson as the highwayman, then Kristofferson as the sailor, then Jennings as the dam builder, and finally Cash as the starship captain. Webb later observed, "I don't know how they decided who would take which verse, but having Johnny last was like having God singing your song."[1] Rosanne Cash has said her father did not realize the song was about reincarnation until she explained it to him.
Kristofferson was a true polymath...
Rhoades scholar
'Copter pilot
Ranger
Professor
Singer
Songwriter
Actor
