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Grins

(7,866 posts)
Mon Sep 30, 2024, 11:06 AM Sep 30

My FAVORITE Kris Kristofferson story!!! [View all]

From the 16 April 2009 issue of Rolling Stone, at the Beacon Theatre in New York where there was a concert to celebrate Willie Nelson's 70th birthday:

I could barely see Kris Kristofferson standing to my left. Willie Nelson was in the shadows to my right. Ray Charles was standing beside Willie, idly shifting his weight back and forth. A bit farther along the wall were Elvis Costello, Wyclef Jean, Norah Jones, Shelby Lynne, Paul Simon and respective managers, friends and family. Everybody was nervous and tight. We were there for Willie Nelson’s 70th birthday concert in 2003.

Up from the basement came one of country music’s brightest stars (who shall remain nameless). At that moment in time, the Star had a monster radio hit about bombing America’s enemies back into the Stone Age.

“Happy birthday,” the Star said to Willie, breezing by us. As he passed Kristofferson in one long, confident stride, out of the corner of his mouth came:

“None of that lefty shit out there tonight, Kris.”

“What the fuck did you just say to me???” Kris growled, stepping forward.

“Oh, no,” groaned Willie under his breath. “Don’t get Kris all riled up.”

“You heard me,” the Star said, walking away in the darkness.

“Don’t turn your back to me, boy,” Kristofferson shouted, not giving a shit that basically the entire music industry seemed to be flanking him.

The Star turned around: “I don’t want any problems, Kris - I just want you to tone it down.”

Here it comes!

“You ever worn your country’s uniform?” Kris asked rhetorically.

“What?”

“Don’t ‘What?’ me, boy! You heard the question. You just don’t like the answer.” He paused just long enough to get a full chest of air. “I asked, ‘Have you ever served your country?’ The answer is, no, you have not. Have you ever killed another man? Huh? Have you ever taken another man’s life and then cashed the check your country gave you for doing it? No, you have not. So shut the fuck up!” I could feel his body pulsing with anger next to me. “You don’t know what the hell you are talking about!”

“Whatever,” the young Star muttered.

Ray Charles stood motionless. Willie Nelson looked at me and shrugged mischievously like a kid in the back of the classroom.

Kristofferson took a deep inhale and leaned against the wall, still vibrating with adrenaline. He looked over at Willie as if to say, “Don’t say a word.” Then his eyes found me.

“You know what Waylon Jennings said about guys like him?” he whispered.

I shook my head.

“They’re doin’ to country music what pantyhose did to finger-fuckin’.”

That "Star?" Toby Keith. Eff that guy.

Note: Kristofferson is the son of an Air Force General, elected to Phi Beta Kappa his junior year and graduated college summa cum laude, then became a Rhodes scholar at Oxford University where he boxed on the boxing team. After Oxford he joined the Army as a 2LT, completed both helicopter pilot training and Ranger School, rose to the rank of Captain, and at the end of his military career was given an assignment to teach English literature at West Point. From West Point he went to Nashville to be a song writer. And the rest is history.

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Wow, I had not idea of his history. Always loved his music, but unaware of his back story. Biophilic Sep 30 #1
Agree - nevcer knew the backstory. What an impressive guy Kris was. 😍. n/t iluvtennis Sep 30 #16
He looked out a car snowybirdie Sep 30 #2
Thank you. I always liked his music but leftyladyfrommo Sep 30 #3
Me too! What a beautiful man! n/t mtngirl47 Sep 30 #24
K&R....what a freaking legend Docreed2003 Sep 30 #4
I had no idea dsc Sep 30 #5
I knew Keith had a massive ego Docreed2003 Sep 30 #7
He doesn't think much at all (if he ever had). He died Emile Sep 30 #9
Toby Keith thinks BaronChocula Sep 30 #19
WOW, I never knew his history. Thanks for posting! Emile Sep 30 #6
After the Army he flew helicopters for the oil and gas industry in Louisiana for a while Ex Lurker Sep 30 #8
He called our house when I was in high school ColoradoBlue Sep 30 #10
Wow, this should be an opening post! KnR Emile Sep 30 #12
Great story mountain grammy Sep 30 #13
I went to your link and read your full story about it. StarryNite Sep 30 #25
Thank you. ColoradoBlue Sep 30 #31
I meant it. StarryNite Sep 30 #32
ColoradoBlue......... Upthevibe Sep 30 #27
Love it. republianmushroom Sep 30 #11
I always like Kris, but this jumps him up a couple more notches in my opinion. patphil Sep 30 #14
Same here. LoisB Sep 30 #20
Whoa, I didn't see that coming. Nope, I did not. Joinfortmill Sep 30 #15
We saw him at the local Toys R' Us. Grumpy Old Guy Sep 30 #17
Damn, Kristofferson didn't take shit from anybody - I truly respect that. NoMoreRepugs Sep 30 #18
Great story senseandsensibility Sep 30 #21
Here's some juicy follow-up to that event BaronChocula Sep 30 #22
Bullies always turn into cowards and 'victims' when stood up to. canuckledragger Sep 30 #23
Grins......... Upthevibe Sep 30 #26
Great story but not totally true per Kris himself. SharonClark Sep 30 #28
Kristofferson could recite William Blake from memory dalton99a Sep 30 #29
K&R red dog 1 Sep 30 #30
Great story Trueblue1968 Oct 1 #33
Great story! Blue_Roses Oct 1 #34
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