“I have always been deeply moved by the story and songs of this poet and reluctant superstar. Kristofferson facts and myths abound, but it is up to big fans like me to pass on this acclaim to another generation”.
Steve Hofmeyr
As a young man he was every American family’s model son: a Golden Gloves boxer, winner of a prestigious Atlantic Monthly collegiate short-story contest, and recipient of the coveted Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University, England (1959).
His father was an Air Force general and forced a military life on Kris. After his study at Oxford, he joined the Air Force as a helicopter pilot for the United States Army, from 1960 – 1965.
While trying to get his songs into the right hands, Kris was even a janitor at a music studio.
After being ignored by country legend Johnny Cash at first, Kris landed a helicopter in Cash’s front yard and gave him more of his songs. Cash eventually recorded ‘Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down’ and the song won Song Of The Year with the Country Music Association.
He dated Janis Joplin and wrote one of her most popular songs, ‘Me & Bobby McGee’ which was #1 for several weeks in the Fall of 1960 and became a million seller, by 1972 the songs was recorded by more than 50 artists.
Kris was an alcoholic. He lost two wives, and his pilot license. It is rumoured that he fell asleep at the controls.
Kristofferson is perhaps the only living human to experience the three G’s of American greatness: a Grammy, a Golden Glove and a Golden Globe Best Actor Award for ‘A Star Is Born’.
He appeared in more than 100 feature films: from ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’, ‘Convoy’ and ‘A Star Is Born’, to ‘Planet Of The Apes’ and ‘Blade 1 and 2’.