Song:Me & Bobby McGee
Album:Best Of Ktis Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson is probably better known for his acting than his music. But he's been performing since the 60s and songs have been recorded by just about everyone. Me & Bobby McGee is one of his most successful songs. He was born June 22, 1936 in Brownsville, TX. His father was a major general in the US Air Force so of course the family moved a lot until they settled in San Mateo, CA when Kristofferson was a teen. He began writing songs while he was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University but in 1960 he enlisted in the US Army and achieved the rank of captain. Upon his 1965 discharge, he decided to persue a music career and moved to Nashville. He didn't get anywhere hanging around recording studios so he took a job as a helicopter pilot. Dave Dudley was the first to record one of his songs with Vietnam Blues in 1966. He signed with Epic Records and though he didn't have success, other artists started recording his songs. Johnny Cash became interested in him and this led to a contract with Fred Foster's Monument label. He's had some success as a country artist but not as much as he should have. Of course Me & Bobby McGee was a huge hit for Janis Joplin. She recorded it just before her death but Kristofferson wasn't aware that she had recorded it. The song was orinially recorded by Roger Miller in 1969 and Gordon Lightfoot recorded it too. Kristofferson began acting in 1971 and continues to act today. He recorded for Monument until 1991 and continues to record for New West Records today. His next CD Closer To The Bone is to be released in September. This Sony UK comp covers his recording career very well. Here's Kris Kristofferson with Rosanne Cash, John Mellancamp & Norah Jones performing Me & Bobby McGee on Elvis Costello's Spectacle.
No comments:
Post a Comment