History of Kris Kristofferson in Timeline
Kristoffer Kristofferson was an American country singer, songwriter, and actor. He is known for writing iconic songs such as 'Me and Bobby McGee', 'For the Good Times', 'Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down', and 'Help Me Make It Through the Night', which became hits for various artists.
June 22, 1936: Birth of Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson was born on June 22, 1936.
1954: Graduation from San Mateo High School and Enrollment at Pomona College
In 1954, Kris Kristofferson graduated from San Mateo High School and enrolled at Pomona College to pursue writing. He had already published prize-winning essays and stories in The Atlantic Monthly, showcasing his early passions and concerns.
1958: Rhodes Scholarship and Early Music Career
Awarded a Rhodes Scholarship, Kris Kristofferson studied at Merton College, Oxford, in 1958. He excelled in boxing and rugby while pursuing songwriting. Under the stage name Kris Carson, he recorded music but did not achieve commercial success.
1958: National Recognition and Graduation from Pomona College
In 1958, Kris Kristofferson gained national recognition for his achievements in sports at Pomona College. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
1960: Graduation from Oxford and Marriage
Kris Kristofferson completed his B.Phil. degree in English literature from the University of Oxford in 1960. He married his longtime girlfriend, Frances "Fran" Mavia Beer, the following year.
1961: Marriage to Frances Beer
In 1961, Kristofferson married his longtime girlfriend, Frances "Fran" Mavia Beer. The marriage would eventually end in divorce.
1961: Marriage to Frances Beer
Kris Kristofferson married Frances "Fran" Mavia Beer in 1961.
1965: Military Service and Pursuit of Songwriting
After leaving the army in 1965, Kris Kristofferson chose to pursue songwriting despite being offered a teaching position at West Point. This decision led to a rift with his family, who disapproved of his choice.
1965: Move to Nashville and Divorce
In 1965, Kris Kristofferson moved to Nashville to pursue his music career. He struggled financially while dealing with his son's medical expenses, leading to his divorce.
1966: Breakthrough with "Viet Nam Blues"
Dave Dudley released "Viet Nam Blues" in 1966, marking Kris Kristofferson's first successful single as a songwriter.
1967: Signing with Epic Records
Kris Kristofferson signed with Epic Records in 1967 and released the single "Golden Idol/Killing Time." However, the song failed to gain traction.
1970: Death of Janis Joplin
Kristofferson briefly dated singer Janis Joplin before her tragic death in October 1970.
1970: Country Music Association Award Win
Johnny Cash's decision to record "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" led to Kris Kristofferson winning Songwriter of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards in 1970. This marked a significant turning point in his career.
1970: Success as a Recording Artist and Songwriter
In 1970, Kris Kristofferson signed with Monument Records and released his debut album, which gained success after being re-released as "Me & Bobby McGee." His songwriting career continued to flourish as prominent artists like Ray Price, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Waylon Jennings, Bobby Bare, Johnny Cash, and Sammi Smith recorded his songs. Notably, he achieved the unique feat of winning "Song of the Year" awards from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association in the same year for different songs.
1971: Release of Joni Mitchell's "Blue"
Joni Mitchell, a prominent singer-songwriter, released her album "Blue" in 1971. The album, known for its emotional depth and lyrical prowess, included the song "A Case of You," which Kristofferson would later perform at Mitchell's 75th birthday celebration.
1973: Honorary Doctorate from Pomona College
Kris Kristofferson received an honorary doctorate in fine arts from Pomona College in 1973. The award was presented by his mentor, Professor Sontag. Johnny Cash and Rita Coolidge were also present at the ceremony.
1973: Marriage to Rita Coolidge
Kristofferson entered into his second marriage with singer Rita Coolidge in 1973.
1977: Release of "Highwayman" and Formation of The Highwaymen
In 1977, Jimmy Webb released the song "Highwayman," which would later become a hit for the supergroup The Highwaymen. Kris Kristofferson, along with Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash, formed The Highwaymen and saw great success with their debut album, "Highwayman."
1977: Induction into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
Kristofferson was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1977, marking an important milestone in his songwriting career.
1980: Divorce from Rita Coolidge
Kristofferson's marriage to Rita Coolidge ended in divorce in 1980.
1983: Marriage to Lisa Meyers
Kristofferson married Lisa Meyers in 1983.
1985: Induction into Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 1985, Kristofferson received further recognition for his songwriting when he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
1985: Formation of The Highwaymen
Kris Kristofferson teamed up with Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash in 1985 to form the country supergroup The Highwaymen. The group played a crucial role in the outlaw country music movement, promoting independent songwriting and production.
1985: Success with The Highwaymen and Release of "Repossessed"
The Highwaymen's single "Highwayman" won the ACM's Single of the Year in 1985. That same year, Kristofferson starred in the film "Trouble in Mind" and released the politically charged album "Repossessed." The album included the song "They Killed Him," a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., Jesus, and Mahatma Gandhi.
1990: Release of "Highwayman 2" and Decline in Solo Career
Despite the success of The Highwaymen's second album, "Highwayman 2," in 1990, Kristofferson's solo career began to decline. However, he continued to enjoy success as part of the supergroup.
1996: Revitalized Acting Career with "Lone Star"
Kristofferson's acting career was revitalized in 1996 with his role in the John Sayles film "Lone Star." This led to a string of roles in various films, including "Blade," "Blade II," "Blade: Trinity," and Tim Burton's "Planet of the Apes."
1999: Release of "The Austin Sessions" and Coronary Bypass Surgery
Kristofferson released "The Austin Sessions" in 1999, an album featuring reworked versions of his songs with collaborations from artists like Mark Knopfler, Steve Earle, and Jackson Browne. He underwent coronary bypass surgery shortly after the album's release.
2003: Veteran of the Year Award
Despite the earlier rift with his family over his career path, Kris Kristofferson received the Veteran of the Year Award at the American Veterans Awards ceremony in 2003, demonstrating his pride in his military service.
2003: Release of "Broken Freedom Song" and "Spirit of Americana" Award
In 2003, Kristofferson released the live album "Broken Freedom Song," recorded in San Francisco. He was also honored with the "Spirit of Americana" free speech award by the Americana Music Association, recognizing his contributions to American music and culture.
2004: Kristofferson Acknowledges Influence of Professor Sontag
In a 2004 interview, Kris Kristofferson mentioned that philosophy professor Frederick Sontag from Pomona College had a significant influence on his life.
2004: Induction into Country Music Hall of Fame
Kristofferson's significant contributions to country music were acknowledged in 2004 when he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
October 21, 2005: Release of "Dreamer"
On October 21, 2005, the film "Dreamer" was released, starring Kristofferson as "Pop," a retired horse trainer. The movie drew inspiration from the true story of the racehorse Mariah's Storm.
2006: Johnny Mercer Award and Release of "This Old Road"
Kristofferson received the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006, further solidifying his legacy as a songwriter. He also released "This Old Road," his first album of new material in 11 years.
April 21, 2007: CMT Johnny Cash Visionary Award
On April 21, 2007, Kristofferson was honored with the CMT Johnny Cash Visionary Award, presented to him by Cash's daughter, Rosanne Cash. The award recognized his significant contributions to country music and his impactful career.
July 2007: Performance on CMT's Studio 330 Sessions
Kristofferson performed a selection of his hit songs on CMT's Studio 330 Sessions in July 2007, showcasing his enduring musical catalog to a new audience.
June 13, 2008: Acoustic Performance for PBS Songwriters Series
On June 13, 2008, Kristofferson participated in a special taping for a PBS songwriters series. He delivered an acoustic set alongside Patty Griffin and Randy Owen of Alabama, performing songs like "The Best of All Possible Worlds," "Darby's Castle," and "Me and Bobby McGee."
September 28, 2009: Release of "Closer to the Bone"
Kristofferson released a new album of original songs, "Closer to the Bone," on September 28, 2009. The album, produced by Don Was, featured a more intimate sound and reflected on themes of life and aging.
November 10, 2009: BMI Icon Award
On November 10, 2009, Kristofferson received the BMI Icon Award at the 57th annual BMI Country Awards. The award celebrated his prolific songwriting career and his impact on the music industry.
December 2009: Collaboration on "Ghost Brothers of Darkland County"
In December 2009, it was announced that Kristofferson would be lending his voice to the album "Ghost Brothers of Darkland County." The project was a collaboration between rock musician John Mellencamp and horror novelist Stephen King.
May 11, 2010: Release of "Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends: The Publishing Demos"
On May 11, 2010, Light in the Attic Records released a collection of Kristofferson's early demos, recorded during his time working as a janitor at Columbia Records. The release, titled "Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends: The Publishing Demos," provided a glimpse into his songwriting process and included early versions of songs like "Me and Bobby McGee."
2010: Voice Acting in "Fallout: New Vegas"
Expanding his creative endeavors, Kristofferson provided the voice for the character Chief Hanlon of the NCR Rangers in the popular video game "Fallout: New Vegas," released in 2010.
June 4, 2011: Solo Acoustic Show at Maui Arts and Cultural Center
Kristofferson delivered a solo acoustic performance at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center on June 4, 2011. The show featured a mix of his classic hits and newer material, showcasing his enduring talent as a live performer.
2013: Release of "Feeling Mortal"
Kristofferson released a new album of original songs titled "Feeling Mortal" in early 2013. The album explored themes of mortality and showcased his songwriting abilities.
September 2014: Release of "An Evening With Kris Kristofferson"
In September 2014, a live album titled "An Evening With Kris Kristofferson" was released, capturing the intimacy and power of his live performances.
2014: Receives Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2014, Kris Kristofferson was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his significant contributions to the music industry.
October 23, 2015: Announcement of "The Cedar Creek Sessions"
In an interview on October 23, 2015, Kristofferson revealed that he had recorded a new album in Austin, Texas, titled "The Cedar Creek Sessions." The album would feature a mix of old and new songs.
December 2016: Grammy Nomination for "The Cedar Creek Sessions"
"The Cedar Creek Sessions" earned Kristofferson a Grammy Award nomination for Best Americana Album in December 2016, further solidifying his legacy as a respected musician.
2017: Cover of Brandi Carlile's "Turpentine"
Kristofferson contributed a cover of Brandi Carlile's song "Turpentine" to the 2017 album "Cover Stories," showcasing his appreciation for contemporary artists and his ability to interpret diverse musical styles.
November 7, 2018: Performance at Joni Mitchell's 75th Birthday Celebration
On November 7, 2018, Kristofferson joined other musicians in celebrating Joni Mitchell's 75th birthday at the "Both Sides Now - Joni 75 A Birthday Celebration." He performed a rendition of Mitchell's iconic song "A Case of You," accompanied by Brandi Carlile.
June 2019: Supporting Artist for Barbra Streisand Concert
In June 2019, it was announced that Kristofferson would be one of the supporting artists for Barbra Streisand's concert in London's Hyde Park as part of the Barclay's Summertime Concert series, scheduled for July 7.
February 5, 2020: Final Concert in Fort Pierce, Florida
Kristofferson's final concert took place at the Sunrise Theatre in Fort Pierce, Florida on February 5, 2020. He was accompanied by the Strangers, marking the end of his illustrious touring career.
January 2021: Announcement of Retirement
After a long and successful career, Kristofferson officially announced his retirement in January 2021.
September 28, 2024: Death of Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson passed away on September 28, 2024.