Kristofferson was so talented as an actor, later generations might not even know that he was a remarkable musician. He was so well-known as a singer, some people might’ve forgotten that he wrote some of the most important songs of the Sixties and Seventies. Kristofferson was so skilled as a songwriter, a lot of people never realized that he was one of the most academically accomplished members of the recording industry… or that he had been an Army officer or a nationally-recognized, 3-sport athlete in college.
Throughout his life, Kristofferson was a humanitarian in the classic sense of the term. During his career, he was a human rights champion, an “outlaw poet.” A tough guy with a heart and a brain; not a common combination. His now-famous gesture of support for Sinead O’Connor as she was lustily booed during a 1992 Dylan tribute concert at Madison Square Garden – “Don’t let the bastards get you down” – should be immortalized in a statue. His arm around her, or something.
Movie star. Legendary musician and songwriter. Military and civilian helicopter pilot. Rhodes Scholar; English Literature. Rugby star. Renaissance man? Superman.
