Thank you Dan. At first I couldn’t think of anything more chilling than for a kid to hear the doorbell ring on Morton and be told “oh that must be the babysitter”. Then in strides Kris Kristofferson with him booming voice and downward gaze. “WTF?” you might have thought but dare not have said.
Then enveloped in his warmth and tenderness you’d know it was OK and he ask about your drawings.
The last time I saw him perform was on the PBS celebration of Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday. By then he was all vulnerability. He could barely walk, forgot lyrics, needed help from Cheryl Crow? to finish the song—but he sang. And the twinkle in his eyes remained.
On a very different note unless it was ironically intentional it’s ”faux pas” not “faux pax”. AI strikes again.
So true. Back in my snarky alt-weekly writing days, I once referred to him in a film review as Kris “Help Me Make It Through the Scene” Kristofferson, and I’ve felt badly about that ever since.
At June Carter’s viewing Kris was sitting next to Johnny Cash in the receiving line. A lady remarked to Kris that she loved his singing. After the lady walked away Johnny deadpanned “That makes one.”
This time your farewell musings really brought tears to my eyes. KK's music was a really BIG part of my early years with John and it all came back once again. You touched me once again.
I enjoyed the read, Dan. I was never a real Kristofferson fan, but I respected him. I definitely preferred Janis' version of Me and Bobby McGee. I also like Mad comics. I enjoyed the videos, and his vulnerability in the interview you shared. I once penned a Kiwi version of Bobby McGee which I performed from time to time. A bit irreverent. Bobby McGee became Tui Shore and Freedom was just another word for getting on the dole. Maybe that was influenced by a Mad comic lol
Haha... loved your intro with the story of your mum asking you to play the first Van Halen album only when she wasn’t around. In my case, it was the first B-52’s album. My mother really didn’t get it. “This isn’t music...” she would shout 😁
I think that album created the “urgency” to get my own stereo in my room. 😂
❤️
This kills it Dan. You always hit that nerve that I hide underneath my toxic masculinity. 🫠
Awww, right on. Thank you, Gary - that means a lot to me.
Thank you Dan. At first I couldn’t think of anything more chilling than for a kid to hear the doorbell ring on Morton and be told “oh that must be the babysitter”. Then in strides Kris Kristofferson with him booming voice and downward gaze. “WTF?” you might have thought but dare not have said.
Then enveloped in his warmth and tenderness you’d know it was OK and he ask about your drawings.
The last time I saw him perform was on the PBS celebration of Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday. By then he was all vulnerability. He could barely walk, forgot lyrics, needed help from Cheryl Crow? to finish the song—but he sang. And the twinkle in his eyes remained.
On a very different note unless it was ironically intentional it’s ”faux pas” not “faux pax”. AI strikes again.
“Faux pax” is what there is in Gaza.
Good eye, Dad - duly corrected!
✅❤️
Thanks for this. You brought me back to an earlier time in my life also.
There has never been a greater song written about loneliness and separation from a happy world than "Help Me Make It Through the Night".
So true. Back in my snarky alt-weekly writing days, I once referred to him in a film review as Kris “Help Me Make It Through the Scene” Kristofferson, and I’ve felt badly about that ever since.
Lovely tribute.
>>I just committed the rock critic faux pas of using “eponymous” and “posthumous” in the same sentence<<
You coulda had the trifecta if you'd gotten "incendiary" in there somehow!
Hahaha! Or “lubricious” - an adjective I have literally only ever seen used in music criticism!
At June Carter’s viewing Kris was sitting next to Johnny Cash in the receiving line. A lady remarked to Kris that she loved his singing. After the lady walked away Johnny deadpanned “That makes one.”
🤣🤣🤣
This time your farewell musings really brought tears to my eyes. KK's music was a really BIG part of my early years with John and it all came back once again. You touched me once again.
❤️❤️❤️
Glad I was close to him for a moment of forever.
I enjoyed the read, Dan. I was never a real Kristofferson fan, but I respected him. I definitely preferred Janis' version of Me and Bobby McGee. I also like Mad comics. I enjoyed the videos, and his vulnerability in the interview you shared. I once penned a Kiwi version of Bobby McGee which I performed from time to time. A bit irreverent. Bobby McGee became Tui Shore and Freedom was just another word for getting on the dole. Maybe that was influenced by a Mad comic lol
Hahaha - that sounds pretty Mad-worthy!
Haha... loved your intro with the story of your mum asking you to play the first Van Halen album only when she wasn’t around. In my case, it was the first B-52’s album. My mother really didn’t get it. “This isn’t music...” she would shout 😁
I think that album created the “urgency” to get my own stereo in my room. 😂
Yeah, same — when I brought VH1 home, there was only one turntable in the house... and it was located in the living room!