Kris Kristofferson Retires

- Songwriter, former Highwayman, who is 84, gave final performance in January 2020

Kris Kristofferson quietly retired in 2020 and announced the fact just as quietly in 2021.

The news comes buried in an announcement that the 84-year-old singer/songwriter/actor and former Highwaymen member’s son, John, is taking over the family business “in the wake of his father’s retirement in 2020.”

It’s also alluded to on his website, which states: “Until the COVID(-19) pandemic in 2020, Kristofferson toured incessantly in the 21st century.”

Kristofferson, the author of such songs as “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Sunday Morning Comin’ Down,” “Help Me Make it through the Night” and others, co-starred opposite Barbara Streisand in the 1976 adaptation of “A Star is Born” and joined with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings in 1985 to form the Highwaymen.

“Every time I look at a picture of Willie and me and John and Waylon, I find it amazing that they let the janitor in there,” he once said.

Kristofferson’s latest album, The Cedar Creek Sessions, was released on his 80th birthday in 2016.

His last concert was in January 2020 aboard the Outlaw Country Cruise, where his final song - “Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends” - earned a standing ovation, according to the Tennessean.

1/28/21

Kris Kristofferson Dies at 88

- “Can’t begin to say what (his) impact was on songwriting, music, film and our culture in general,” the Memphis Songwriters Association says

Kris Kristofferson, the actor, singer, songwriter and one-fourth of the Highwaymen country supergroup, has died at 88, his family said in a statement.

Kristofferson died Sept. 28; no cause of death was given.

“We’re all so blessed for our time with him,” his family said. “Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.”

Leann Rimes eulogized Kristofferson as “an epic human with the biggest heart.

“You will be so, so missed. Rest easy, my friend.”

Kristofferson, who starred in such films as “A Star is Born,” is best known as a music man. He played in the Highwaymen with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson; and is the writer of such songs as “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” “Help Me Make it Through the Night,” “For the Good Times” and “Me and Bobby McGee” among many others.

Kristofferson was “one of the best songwriters that ever lived,” Jorma Kaukonen said in a statement.

“How lucky I was to live in a world where his songs filled my soul with joy.”

The Johnny Cash Museum called Kristofferson a “poet” and a “legendary” actor and singer in an online obituary. His death leaves Nelson as the only surviving Highwayman.

“So sad to hear we are down to one Highwayman,” the Memphis Songwriters Association said in a statement. “Can’t begin to say what Kris Kristofferson’s impact was on songwriting, music, film and our culture in general.”

“He preached that a life of the mind gives voice to the soul, and then he created a body of work that gave voice not only to his soul but to ours,” Country Music Hall of Fame CEO Kyle Young said in a statement.

“Kris’ heroes included … Muhammad Ali, the great poet William Blake and … Hank Williams. He lived his life in a way that honored and exemplified the values of each of those men, and he leaves a righteous, courageous, and resounding legacy that rings with theirs.”

Jamie Lee Curtis remembered Kristofferson specifically for his performance at Joni Mitchell’s 75th birthday celebration and for the way he defended Sinéad O’Connor when she found herself mired in undeserved controversy.

“He was a great artist,” Curtis said of Kristofferson.

9/29/24

Birthday Mornin’ Comin’ Down: Kris Kristofferson Turns 85

Though this Highwayman quietly hopped off the road in 2020, he keeps on keepin’ on. And today, Kris Kristofferson turns 85.

His singing leaves much to be desired. But that didn’t stop Kristofferson, born June 22, 1936, from writing his own chapter in the Great American Songbook.

“Me and Bobby McGee.” “Help Me Make it Through the Night.” “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.” “The Pilgrim, Chapter 33.” “Best of All Possible Worlds.” “Casey’s Last Ride.” “I’d Rather be Sorry.”

But wait! There’s more!

“Jody and the Kid.” “Shipwrecked in the Eighties.” “Nobody Wins.” “Loving Her Was Easier.” “To Beat the Devil.” “Jesus was a Capricorn.” “The Silver Tongued Devil and I.” “Please Don’t Tell me How the Story Ends.”

That last one is reportedly the last song Kristofferson played at what turned out to be his last concert in January 2020.

The music has ended. But the memories remain. And Kristofferson’s self-deprecating reminiscence of his time with the Highwaymen may be the best one of all.

“Every time I look at a picture of Willie (Nelson) and me and John(ny Cash) and Waylon (Jennings), I find it amazing that they let the janitor in there,” he once said.

6/22/21

Song Review: Old Crow Medicine Show - “Donkey & Elephant”

Old Crow Medicine Show wanted to write about the presidential election, “because when your heroes are Johnny (Cash), Willie (Nelson) and (Kris) Kristofferson,” you’ve got to sing about what’s going on.”

But the band, which hasn’t been shy about leaning left in the past, decided to go squishy with “Donkey & Elephant.” So, it included elements of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” in the music, referenced the Noah’s Ark parable in the lyrics and even copped a slice of Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” in making a song that’s more parts - dig the verses with no melody - than song.

They landed on Mount Ararat/the rainbow sign was shown/imagine what we could do/if we just got along/since this tale was written down/one thousand years have passed/and to this day there’s trouble/’tween an elephant and ass, the band declares.

“We don’t really care who you vote for, as long as your heart’s in it,” the band said in its statement accompanying the standalone single.

Old Crow calls this “a middle-of-the-road approach.” It could be more accurately described as the creeping normalization of American fascism and not something the aforementioned “heroes” would’ve released.

Secondarily, “Donkey & Elephant” is not a high-quality composition.

Grade card: Old Crow Medicine Show - “Donkey & Elephant” - D

10/18/24

Fans are the Stars of “Metallica Saved My Life”

- Yet-unfinished film will screen in cities on Metallica’s upcoming tour

Metallica is … a state of mind … unapologetically real and vulnerable … hope, freedom, escape. And not only for band members, but for fans from Europe, Africa and North America, who use terms like dork, loner and weirdo to describe themselves.

“Every fan has a story,” James Hetfield says in the trailer for “MetalIica Saved My Life,” which will screen in unfinished form in cities on the band’s 2025 tour.

“I wanna hear ’em, I wanna hear ’em all.”

Director Jonas Åkerlund’s film seeks to document what Metallica calls “the lifeblood of this band: the fans” through four decades of music and camaraderie.

“Whatever you want to put on that - religion, cult, family … whatever label,” Hetfield says. “I don’t care. It’s a gathering of like-minded people that’re there to celebrate life. It’s called Metallica.”

4/9/25