The Daily Dirt: Kristofferson was a unique performer; Rest in peace, Kris

Daily Dirt for Monday, Sept. 30, 2024

Now only one member of “The Highwaymen” is still with us … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,073 of The Daily Dirt.

1. I was legitimately saddened Sunday when reading of the death of Kris Kristofferson.

Kristofferson, whose songwriting, singing and acting left a tremendous impact on pop culture beginning in the 1970s, was 88. Reports indicate one of America’s most talented troubadours died peacefully, surrounded by family members at his Hawaiian home.

I first got hooked on Kristofferson’s music back in the ’70s. There was always an intriguing coarseness to his voice, coupled with a unique subtlety in his lyrics and delivery. 

“There’s no better songwriter alive than Kris Kristofferson,” longtime friend and fellow musician Willie Nelson said in 2009.

Kristofferson’s words were often like magic. He wrote such country and rock standards as “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” “Help Me Make it Through the Night,” “For the Good Times” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” While Kristofferson was an award-winning singer himself, many of his songs were best known as performed by others, whether it was Ray Price providing us with “For the Good Times” or Janis Joplin belting out “Me and Bobby McGee.”

Nelson and Kristofferson joined forces with Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings to create the country supergroup “The Highwaymen” starting in the mid-1980s. Among the four, only Nelson is now alive.

Few knew Kristofferson was a Golden Gloves boxer, rugby star and football player in college. He received a master’s degree in English from Merton College at the University of Oxford in England, and he flew helicopters as a captain in the U.S. Army. He turned down an appointment to teach at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., to pursue songwriting in Nashville. 

I’ll always be glad that he chose Nashville.

For the record, in no particular order, my five favorite Kristofferson songs are:

• “Why Me”
• “Me And Bobby McGee”
• “For The Good Times”
• “Help Me Make It Through The Night”
• “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”

2. Did you know (Part 137) …

• Italians eat an average of 51 pounds of pasta each year. (I know, you’re wondering about Americans. We eat an average of 20 pounds of pasta each year. Not bad, but we’ve got a ways to go.)
• The “pound sign” or “hashtag” was originally called an “octothorp.”
• The grand prize in Finland for the annual wife-carrying contest is the wife’s weight in beer.
• Artificial Christmas trees started outselling natural trees in the U.S. in 1991.
• Albert Einstein never learned to drive.

3. Kristofferson is not the only talented musician we’ve lost this year. Prominent artists who have died in 2024 include:

• Toby Keith, 62: In the 1990s, Keith enjoyed an incredible run of popularity with four straight albums earning gold (or higher) certification. His debut single “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” will always be the one that ties him to country music.
• Melanie, 76: She was a major star in the 1970s after gaining much attention for her performance at Woodstock in 1969.
• Eric Carmen, 74: He first rose to prominence as the face of the Raspberries, and followed up that early group success by evolving as a bona fide star on his own. Carmen was a major musical force for much of his long and distinguished career.
• David Soul, 80: He initially rose to TV fame on “Starsky and Hutch,” then as a pop singer.
• Joe Bonsall, 76: The popular curly-haired frontman of the Oak Ridge Boys will always be best known as the lead singer on “Elvira.”
• Mandisa, 47: She originally earned national prominence on “American Idol,” and then as a gospel singer.
• Dickey Betts, 80: An integral member of the Allman Brothers Band who built a reputation as both a songwriter and world-class guitarist. 
• Dave Loggins, 76: His principal claims to fame were “Please Come To Boston,” plus the duet with Anne Murray, “Nobody Loves Me Like You Do.”
• John Barbata, 79: He rose to fame as the drummer of the Turtles, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship.
• Duane Eddy, 86: One of rock’s legendary guitarists.
• Duke Fakir, 88: He was the last original member of the mighty Four Tops.
• Tito Jackson, 70: A founding member of The Jackson Five.
• J.D. Souther: He had two major hits of his own with “You’re Only Lonely” in 1979 and “Her Town Too” in 1981, but also co-wrote four of the Eagles’ biggest hits: “Heartache Tonight, “New Kid In Town,” “How Long” and “Best Of My Love.”

Steve Thought O’ The Day
If I had to pick a “starting five” from those musical talents we’ve lost so far this year I’d be leaning toward: Kristofferson, Keith, Melanie, Carmen and Bonsall.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. While many remember Kristofferson’s musical work, here’s a tip of the hat to his role as wide receiver “Shake” Tiller in “Semi-Tough.”