Kris Kristofferson, a truly legendary singer-songwriter as well as actor, has officially retired. The news, announced January 27, 2021, was revealed in an “oh, by the way” manner in a press release from Morris Higham Management (MHM), which will represent Kristofferson’s estate. Among his many career highlights are his composition, “Me and Bobby McGee,” a #1 hit for Janis Joplin in 1971; his musical collaboration with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings as part of the Highwaymen; and his acting roles in such films as 1976’s A Star is Born and 1973’s Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. Kristofferson turned 87 on June 22, 2023.
The announcement noted in its second paragraph, “In the wake of his father’s retirement in 2020, Kristofferson’s son John steps in to oversee all of the family’s businesses. John and his father’s longtime public relations rep will coordinate future endeavors with MHM, spearhead special projects, and will continue to manage the Kristofferson indie record label KK Records.
“Kristofferson is the artist that every artist strives to be,” said MHM President Clint Higham. “He is an artist’s artist. If Mount Rushmore had a place for songwriters, Kris would be on it.”
John Kristofferson added, “We have many exciting projects in the works and I look forward to getting them out.”
Kristoffer Kristofferson was born in the border town of Brownsville, Tex., on June 22, 1936. Among his many unique accomplishments, Kristofferson was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, a college football player, a bartender, a Golden Gloves boxer, a forest fighter, and an Army Ranger who flew helicopters.
Kristofferson achieved remarkable success as a country songwriter at the start of the 1970s. His songs “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” and “For the Good Times,” were all chart-topping hits. By 1987, it was estimated that more than 450 artists had recorded Kristofferson’s compositions.
Watch Kristofferson perform “Me and Bobby McGee” in 1979
Related: When Joplin’s recording hit #1
The three-time Grammy winner has recorded 30 albums, including three as part of the country music supergroup the Highwaymen.
It’s estimated that Kristofferson has acted in more than 70 films. In 1977 he won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in A Star Is Born, opposite Barbra Streisand.
Watch the trailer for A Star Is Born
Kristofferson is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, winner of the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was honored with the American Veteran’s Association’s “Veteran of the Year Award” in 2002. In 2009, BMI lauded Kristofferson with the Icon Award. In 2014, he was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the PEN Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence Award.
He asserted that poet William Blake was correct in asserting that anyone divinely ordered for spiritual communion but buries his talent will be pursued by sorrow and desperation through life and by shame and confusion for eternity.
“(Blake) is telling you that you’ll be miserable if you don’t do what you’re supposed to do,” Kristofferson said in the Ken Burns’ documentary Country Music.
On April 29, 2023, Kristofferson joined Rosanne Cash at the first of two Willie Nelson 90 concerts at the Hollywood Bowl.
Related: Watch Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Gordon Lightfoot and Ronnie Hawkins sing “Me and Bobby McGee”
27 Comments
As much as I’ve always enjoyed Kris in films, and very much admired the many classic country songs he’s penned, the guy couldn’t sing a lick. If you ever saw him perform with The Highwaymen, it was a sad, sad, spectacle, as each or those renowned and legendary country voices took a turn at a song, it was thrilling. And then came Kristofferson who, you could see was, himself, thrilled to be up there with those other guys, but when the poor guy had to sing one of his great songs, it was immediately apparent that he did not belong in their company as a singer. Even both Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings, who both had a kind of talking singing styles, similar to Kristofferson’s, somehow managed to transcend their vocal limitations with their big voices and the personalities that they transmitted through them. While Kris just sounded weak and wimpy, live at least. He was able to pull it off somewhat better on his recordings. Throughout the duration of The Highwaymen’s mostly thrilling show, where each of the other guys were so great in their song spots, it got to the point where you dreaded Kristofferson’s songs coming up, as much as I loved the songs themselves. But beyond that, it sure seems like Kris has had a wondrous and remarkable life.
The old “He Can’t Sing” blubbering. For 50 years-plus, Kristofferson, Dylan, Springsteen, and whoever else, “can’t sing.” Woe to the uninitiated, who still can’t figure things out.
I agree with Bucky
His voice worked for his songs.
He even remarked on his voice but you are full of crap. I’ve been a fan since 1971 and love his voice. Your critique is wicked, even hateful. Think you have a problem.
Why would anyone feel the need to be critical in responding to this article? If you don’t like Kristofferson you can kiss my ass.
I agree with DA DICK about DA MICK, Mr Negative. I saw Kristofferson twice live. Each time a great performance. I saw Dylan twice too. Each time a great performance. DA MICK your a loser. Sorry to say. I suggest you get the wax out of your ears.
if you don’t like kris, you won’t like me either, (to quote charlie daniels)
I have always found pleasure in the sound of his voice
He sang great in his own range. A lot of us could sing along. It was easy. I saw him and met him at an Asbury Concert in NJ. He was still drinking then but so was I; we had a great time. He’s timeless and such a great talent.
Funny, Kris because of everything he stood for, was my favorite. Willie, Waylon and Johnny also remarkable, principled talents.
gonna have to disagree… kris has one of the most beautiful voices in music!
Krio is the greatest bar none his songs will live forever
Listen to his vocals on “Loving her was easier,” and get back to me.
so true! the song sends chills thru me…
That’s not true he has quite a distinctive voice. I love his voice! Your opinion is rubbish. Kris for me is The man of the century”
Kris has been called “the thinking woman’s sex symbol”. His writing is his biggest gift, but his voice is uniquely fitting a gifted communicator.
When you listen to him with headphones, you frequently lose where he stops and your soul begins.
Whether he is piercing your heart with a sensuous love song, or singing political anthems that support the downtrodden, Kris has the raw truth of someone who has lived his songs and survived to sing another day.
All I could say to Kris, is an unqualified Thank you, sir.
I love this time in our history. People will go out of their way to kneecap someone. I didn’t care for him but he was successful and spoke to many, many people. Just shut up if you can’t offer something positive.
I believe in positive comments, but this is an open forum & some people are trying too hard to be an original downer. Don’t be surprised when he makes it to Rock & Roll Heaven….
So not to get totally off the topic of voices BUT I will, I have great memories of this movie. My ex-husband and I were living in the City when it came out. A couple of guys who worked for Bill Graham came into the welding supply company he worked for. Don’t know how the movie came up in conversation but they gave him 2 tickets to see it. Gawd, I do love that movie.
Just seeing the trailer took me back to what I feel is the best version of A Star is Born.
I was not introduced to Kris until 1983. I was 19. My uncle introduced me to his music and it was instant awe of the man. Darbys Castle started it and the hits just kept coming. The more I know about him and his music the more I respect and admire him. Distinctive voice yes. Love his delivery. Journey and Reo Speedwagon are who I grew up with but Kris is who I admire and would love to see perform the most. One of the last of his kind.
Can’t sing? Rubbish. He sings like a person on a mission; a sailor with the wind behind him; with a passion only a lover can understand. Seen him a few times in Melbourne and he was great. Rather listen to him any day than to someone who might always sing in key but has no passion. He is one of the greats. There are plenty of singers who are not wonderful but they have a lot of fans because they are passionate about their work. I’ll listen to Kris along with others who reputedly can’t sing but gee they fill the room.
Kris never claimed to be a great singer
He is a brilliant poet lighten up undeserved criticism
My dad was already flying as a pilot for Petroleum mhelicopters incorporates based in Lafayette, Louisiana in the fall of 1968 following retirement from the navy. When Kristofferson got hired as a pilot, he would sing and play guitar to entertain the other pilots at the end of the work day. My dad mentioned this to our family on one occasion when he had a week off. Although, at that time I was about 15yrs old but his name was not well known. I did recognize them name. When I recall this, It does bring up memories even though my dad was killed instantly in a helicopter crash working for Shell Oil based in Venice Louisiana, last week of February 1973. Would have been 47 in March 1973.
Always been a big fan since I really started listening to country music. Happy Birthday to you Kris and many more to come.
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For someone whom Da Mick claims “can’t sing”, Mr. Kristofferson had many incredible songs and awesome albums! I’d like to see Da Mick do better! BTW: the demos that got tossed into a pile that Kris kept trying to get to Mr. Cash: I’ll bet the music execs who tossed them still weep that they ignored those!
Kris still remains my very favorite country singer; ALWAYS WILL.
(to all those who put him down; bite my ass)
Idiot! Love his voice, live or recorded.