Kris KristoffersonKris Kristofferson (born June 22, 1936) is an influential country music songwriter, singer and actor. He is best known for hits like "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", many of which were co-written with Shel Silverstein or Fred Foster. He was born in Brownsville, Texas and moved around a lot as a youth, finally settling down in San Mateo, California, where he graduated high school. An aspiring writer, Kristofferson earned a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University (Merton College, Oxford) after previously attending Pomona College. Students of Merton College later voted that the college should erect a statue of Kristofferson, naked astride a motorcycle of his choice, in Front Quad but funds were never made available. While in England, Kristofferson began writing songs and working with manager Larry Parnes; he recorded for Top Rank Records under the name Kris Carson but was unsuccessful. In 1960, Kristofferson graduated with a master's degree in English literature and married an old girlfriend, Fran Beir. He joined the United States Army and became a helicopter pilot. During the early 1960s, he was stationed in West Germany and returned to music and forming a band. Kristofferson sent some of his compositions to a friend's relative, Marijohn Wilkin, a successful Nashville, Tennessee songwriter. Kristofferson moved to Nashville after resigning his commission in 1965, intent on becoming a professional songwriter. He worked a variety of odd jobs while struggling to make it in the music business, burdened with expensive medical bills as a result of his son's defective esophagus. He and his wife soon divorced. In 1966, Dave Dudley released a successful Kristofferson single, "Viet Nam Blues". The following year, Kristofferson signed to Epic Records and released a single, "Golden Idol"/"Killing Time", but the song was not successful. Within the next few years, more Kristofferson originals hit the charts, performed by Roy Drusky ("Jody and the Kid"), Billy Walker & the Tennessee Walkers ("From the Bottle to the Bottom"), Ray Stevens ("Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down"), Jerry Lee Lewis ("Once More with Feeling") Faron Young ("Your Time's Comin'") and Roger Miller ("Me and Bobby McGee", "Best of all Possible Worlds", "Darby's Castle"). He also gained some success as a performer himself, due to Johnny Cash's introduction of Kristofferson at the Newport Folk Festival. Kristofferson signed to Monument Records as a recording artist. The label was run by Fred Foster, also manager of Columbine Music, Kristofferson's songwriting label. His debut album for Monument was Kristofferson, which included a few new songs as well as many of his previous hits. Sales were poor. In spite of his failure as a recording artist, Kristofferson's compositions were still in high demand. Ray Price ("For the Good Times"), Waylon Jennings ("The Taker"), Bobby Bare ("Come Sundown"), Johnny Cash ("Sunday Morning Coming Down") and Sammi Smith ("Help Me Make It Through the Night") all recorded successful versions of his songs in the early 1970s. "For the Good Times" (Ray Price) won 'Song of the Year" in 1970 from the Academy of Country Music, while "Sunday Morning Coming Down" (Johnny Cash) won the same award from the Academy's rival, the Country Music Association in the same year. This is the only time an individual has won the same award from these two organizations in the same year for different songs. In 1971, Janis Joplin, a very influential vocalist, had a #1 pop hit with "Me and Bobby McGee" off her posthumous Pearl, which was followed by more hits from Ray Price ("I Won't Mention It Again", "I'd Rather Be Sorry"), Joe Simon ("Help Me Make It Through the Night"), Bobby Bare ("Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends"), O.C. Smith ("Help Me Make It Through the Night") Jerry Lee Lewis ("Me and Bobby McGee"), Patti Page ("I'd Rather Be Sorry") and Peggy Little ("I've Got to Have You"). Kristofferson released his second album, The Silver Tongued Devil and I in 1971; the album was a success and established Kristofferson's career as a recording artist in his own right. Not long after, Kristofferson made his acting debut in The Last Movie (directed by Dennis Hopper) and appeared at the Isle of Wight Festival. In 1972, he acted in Cisco Pike and released his third album, Border Lord; the album was all-new material and sales were sluggish. He also swept the Grammies that year with numerous songs nominated and several winning song of the year. Kristofferson's 1972 fourth album, Jesus Was a Capricorn began slow but the third single, "Why Me", was a success and significantly increased album sales. For the next few years, Kristofferson focused on acting. He appeared in Blume in Love (directed by Paul Mazursky) and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (directed by Sam Peckinpah) and also married Rita Coolidge. With his new wife, Kristofferson released an album called Full Moon, another success buoyed by numerous hit singles and Grammy nominations. However, his fifth album, Spooky Lady's Sideshow was a commercial failure, setting the trend for most of the rest of his career. Artists like Ronnie Milsap and Johnny Duncan continued to record Kristofferson's material with much success, but his own rough voice and anti-pop sound kept his own audience to a minimum. He continued acting, in Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Vigilante Force, The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea, and A Star Is Born (with Barbra Streisand). In spite of his success with Streisand, Kristofferson's career was heading downward with the non-charting ninth album, Shake Hands with the Devil. His next film, Freedom Road, did not earn a theatrical release in the US and he divorced Rita Coolidge. Meanwhile, more artists were taking his songs to the top of the charts, including Lena Martell ("One Day at a Time") and Willie Nelson, whose Willie Nelson Sings Kris Kristofferson LP was a smash success. Kristofferson's next film was Heaven's Gate, a phenomenal failure that temporarily ended his acting career. In 1982, Kristofferson participated (with Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Brenda Lee) on The Winning Hand, a country success that failed to break into mainstream audiences. He then married again, to Lisa Meyers, and concentrated on films for a time, appearing in The Lost Honor of Kathryn Beck, Flashpoint and Songwriter. The latter also starred Willie Nelson and Kristofferson was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. Music from Songwriter (an album of duets between Nelson and Kristofferson) was a massive country success. Nelson and Kristofferson continued their partnership, and added Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash to form the supergroup The Highwaymen. Their first album, Highwaymen was a huge success, and the supergroup continued working together for a time. In 1985, Kristoferson starred in Trouble in Mind and released Repossessed a politically aware album that was a country success, particularly "They Killed Him" (also performed by Bob Dylan), a tribute to his heroes, including Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesus, and Mohandas Gandhi. Kristofferson also appeared in Amerika at about the same time; the mini-series was controversial, hypothesizing life under Communist domination. In spite of the success of Highwaymen 2 in 1990, Kristofferson's solo recording career slipped significantly in the early 1990s, though he continued to successfully record with the Highwaymen. Lone Star (1996 film) reinvigorated Kristofferson's acting career, and he soon appeared in Blade, A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries, Fire Down Below, Tim Burton's remake of Planet of the Apes and Payback (movie). This page about Kris Kristofferson includes information from a Wikipedia article. Additional articles about Kris Kristofferson News stories about Kris Kristofferson External links for Kris Kristofferson Videos for Kris Kristofferson Wikis about Kris Kristofferson Discussion Groups about Kris Kristofferson Blogs about Kris Kristofferson Images of Kris Kristofferson |
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Lone Star (1996 film) reinvigorated Kristofferson's acting career, and he soon appeared in Blade, A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries, Fire Down Below, Tim Burton's remake of Planet of the Apes and Payback (movie). Jim Jarmusch is the founder of a secret society The Sons of Lee Marvin whose members reportedly include Tom Waits and John Lurie. In spite of the success of Highwaymen 2 in 1990, Kristofferson's solo recording career slipped significantly in the early 1990s, though he continued to successfully record with the Highwaymen. It does not delve into his personal life. Kristofferson also appeared in Amerika at about the same time; the mini-series was controversial, hypothesizing life under Communist domination. This book details all the films and also the television roles of Marvin. In 1985, Kristoferson starred in Trouble in Mind and released Repossessed a politically aware album that was a country success, particularly "They Killed Him" (also performed by Bob Dylan), a tribute to his heroes, including Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesus, and Mohandas Gandhi. Lentz. Their first album, Highwaymen was a huge success, and the supergroup continued working together for a time. A book regarding the films of Lee Marvin was written by Robert J. Nelson and Kristofferson continued their partnership, and added Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash to form the supergroup The Highwaymen. The myth about Lee Marvin fighting alongside Bob Keeshan (alias Captain Kangaroo) at the Battle of Iwo Jima is not true. Music from Songwriter (an album of duets between Nelson and Kristofferson) was a massive country success. His brother was a two star general in Army Intelligence. The latter also starred Willie Nelson and Kristofferson was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. Lee Marvin is interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. He then married again, to Lisa Meyers, and concentrated on films for a time, appearing in The Lost Honor of Kathryn Beck, Flashpoint and Songwriter. [1] (http://www.angelfire.com/or2/classicstars/lee.html). In 1982, Kristofferson participated (with Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Brenda Lee) on The Winning Hand, a country success that failed to break into mainstream audiences. Though Marvin ultimately prevailed after an eight-year battle, the case is regarded as a landmark palimony ruling. Kristofferson's next film was Heaven's Gate, a phenomenal failure that temporarily ended his acting career. In 1973, Marvin was sued by long-time girlfriend Michelle Triola, who, though the couple never married, sought finacial compensation similar to alimony. Meanwhile, more artists were taking his songs to the top of the charts, including Lena Martell ("One Day at a Time") and Willie Nelson, whose Willie Nelson Sings Kris Kristofferson LP was a smash success. His remaining films were Death Hunt (1981), Gorky Park (1983), Dog Day (1984), The Dirty Dozen: The Next Mission (1985), with his final appearance being in The Delta Force (1986). His next film, Freedom Road, did not earn a theatrical release in the US and he divorced Rita Coolidge. His last big role was given to him by Samuel Fuller for The Big Red One (1980). In spite of his success with Streisand, Kristofferson's career was heading downward with the non-charting ninth album, Shake Hands with the Devil. His 1970s films were Monte Walsh (1970), Prime Cut (1972), Pocket Money (1972), The Emperor of the North Pole (1973), The Spikes Gang (1974), The Klansman (1974), Shout at the Devil (1976), The Great Scout (1976), Cathouse Thursday (1976), Avalanche Express (1978). He continued acting, in Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Vigilante Force, The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea, and A Star Is Born (with Barbra Streisand). He generally starred in 'easier' films in the 1970s and 1980s, down-playing the clarity and cruelty of his earlier roles. Artists like Ronnie Milsap and Johnny Duncan continued to record Kristofferson's material with much success, but his own rough voice and anti-pop sound kept his own audience to a minimum. He had a hit song with "I Was Born Under a Wandering Star" from the western musical Paint Your Wagon (1969). However, his fifth album, Spooky Lady's Sideshow was a commercial failure, setting the trend for most of the rest of his career. Another Boorman film, the commercial flop Hell in the Pacific came the following year, co-starring Toshiro Mifune. With his new wife, Kristofferson released an album called Full Moon, another success buoyed by numerous hit singles and Grammy nominations. Following roles in The Professionals (1966) and The Dirty Dozen (1967) he starred in the influential John Boorman film Point Blank (1967). He appeared in Blume in Love (directed by Paul Mazursky) and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (directed by Sam Peckinpah) and also married Rita Coolidge. Lee Marvin won the 1965 Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Cat Ballou. For the next few years, Kristofferson focused on acting. Aided by a great director (Don Siegel) he starred in the ground-breaking The Killers (1964) playing an organised, efficient, business-like assassin. Kristofferson's 1972 fourth album, Jesus Was a Capricorn began slow but the third single, "Why Me", was a success and significantly increased album sales. He had solid roles in The Comancheros (1961), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) and Donovan's Reef (1963). He also swept the Grammies that year with numerous songs nominated and several winning song of the year. Attack! (1956), The Missouri Traveller (1958)) but it took over a hundred episodes as Lieutenant Frank Ballinger in the successful television series M Squad to give him enough clout to star. In 1972, he acted in Cisco Pike and released his third album, Border Lord; the album was all-new material and sales were sluggish. His roles improved (e.g. Not long after, Kristofferson made his acting debut in The Last Movie (directed by Dennis Hopper) and appeared at the Isle of Wight Festival. His debut was in You're in the Navy Now (1951), but he also appeared in Don Siegel's Duel at Silver Creek (1952), being unpleasant to Gloria Grahame in The Big Heat (1953), as well as archetypal baddies in Hangman's Knot (1952), Eight Iron Men (1952), Seminole (1953), Gun Fury (1953), and Bad Day at Black Rock (1954) among others. Smith ("Help Me Make It Through the Night") Jerry Lee Lewis ("Me and Bobby McGee"), Patti Page ("I'd Rather Be Sorry") and Peggy Little ("I've Got to Have You"). Kristofferson released his second album, The Silver Tongued Devil and I in 1971; the album was a success and established Kristofferson's career as a recording artist in his own right. He quickly became a popular figure in supporting roles, initially always playing some kind of 'heavy'. In 1971, Janis Joplin, a very influential vocalist, had a #1 pop hit with "Me and Bobby McGee" off her posthumous Pearl, which was followed by more hits from Ray Price ("I Won't Mention It Again", "I'd Rather Be Sorry"), Joe Simon ("Help Me Make It Through the Night"), Bobby Bare ("Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends"), O.C. He then established an amateur Off-Broadway acting career before moving to Hollywood in 1950. This is the only time an individual has won the same award from these two organizations in the same year for different songs. Attended Saint Leo Preparatory College (now known as Saint Leo University.) He left school to join the Marines and fought during WW II, being badly wounded in June 1944 and invalided home. "For the Good Times" (Ray Price) won 'Song of the Year" in 1970 from the Academy of Country Music, while "Sunday Morning Coming Down" (Johnny Cash) won the same award from the Academy's rival, the Country Music Association in the same year. Born in New York City. Ray Price ("For the Good Times"), Waylon Jennings ("The Taker"), Bobby Bare ("Come Sundown"), Johnny Cash ("Sunday Morning Coming Down") and Sammi Smith ("Help Me Make It Through the Night") all recorded successful versions of his songs in the early 1970s. Lee Marvin, (February 19, 1924 - August 29, 1987) was an American film actor. In spite of his failure as a recording artist, Kristofferson's compositions were still in high demand. Sales were poor. His debut album for Monument was Kristofferson, which included a few new songs as well as many of his previous hits. Kristofferson signed to Monument Records as a recording artist. The label was run by Fred Foster, also manager of Columbine Music, Kristofferson's songwriting label. He also gained some success as a performer himself, due to Johnny Cash's introduction of Kristofferson at the Newport Folk Festival. The following year, Kristofferson signed to Epic Records and released a single, "Golden Idol"/"Killing Time", but the song was not successful. Within the next few years, more Kristofferson originals hit the charts, performed by Roy Drusky ("Jody and the Kid"), Billy Walker & the Tennessee Walkers ("From the Bottle to the Bottom"), Ray Stevens ("Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down"), Jerry Lee Lewis ("Once More with Feeling") Faron Young ("Your Time's Comin'") and Roger Miller ("Me and Bobby McGee", "Best of all Possible Worlds", "Darby's Castle"). In 1966, Dave Dudley released a successful Kristofferson single, "Viet Nam Blues". He and his wife soon divorced. He worked a variety of odd jobs while struggling to make it in the music business, burdened with expensive medical bills as a result of his son's defective esophagus. Kristofferson moved to Nashville after resigning his commission in 1965, intent on becoming a professional songwriter. Kristofferson sent some of his compositions to a friend's relative, Marijohn Wilkin, a successful Nashville, Tennessee songwriter. During the early 1960s, he was stationed in West Germany and returned to music and forming a band. He joined the United States Army and became a helicopter pilot. In 1960, Kristofferson graduated with a master's degree in English literature and married an old girlfriend, Fran Beir. While in England, Kristofferson began writing songs and working with manager Larry Parnes; he recorded for Top Rank Records under the name Kris Carson but was unsuccessful. Students of Merton College later voted that the college should erect a statue of Kristofferson, naked astride a motorcycle of his choice, in Front Quad but funds were never made available. An aspiring writer, Kristofferson earned a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University (Merton College, Oxford) after previously attending Pomona College. He was born in Brownsville, Texas and moved around a lot as a youth, finally settling down in San Mateo, California, where he graduated high school. He is best known for hits like "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", many of which were co-written with Shel Silverstein or Fred Foster. Kris Kristofferson (born June 22, 1936) is an influential country music songwriter, singer and actor. |