Who Knew?

[Bob Seijas]

You know Kristofferson as a great country songwriter -- "Me & Bobby McGee," "Help Me Make It Through The Night," and "Sunday Morning Coming Down" were all hits for other artists. He's also an actor, with credits that include A Star Is Born (1976), Convoy (1978) and Lone Star (1996). But before the fame and fortune, was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam who’d graduated from Ranger school.
He worked his way up to the rank of Captain, and after the war he was offered a spot at West Point teaching literature. He turned down the opportunity to pursue a career and songwriting - which you might say worked out pretty well.

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[RASelkirk]

Yes, it most certainly did. KK is one of my favorite writers/singers, although it seems most incongruous...

Russ

[mnmkeller]

His family cut him off for years after he resigned his commission. His father was high ranking officer at the time.

[Ovidio]

His family cut him off for years after he resigned his commission. His father was high ranking officer at the time.

Narrow minded father. He did his share and then decided for his future. Bravo Kris!

---------- Post added at 05:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:46 PM ----------

After he got off active duty, Kristofferson flew in the National Guard. He took a U.S. Army UH-1H Huey, flew it to Cash's house, and landed in his front yard to give him a demo tape.

You can't not like this guy!

[old tanker]

After he got off active duty, Kristofferson flew in the National Guard. He took a U.S. Army UH-1H Huey, flew it to Cash's house, and landed in his front yard to give him a demo tape.

[Surpmil]

1965 was a good time for a helicopter pilot to retire from the service.

His first wife's sense of timing was not so good.

[Bob Womack]

But before the fame and fortune, was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam who’d graduated from Ranger school.

Everything I've read puts him with the 8th Infantry in Germany.

He worked his way up to the rank of Captain, and after the war he was offered a spot at West Point teaching literature. He turned down the opportunity to pursue a career and songwriting - which you might say worked out pretty well.

I notice you differentiated between "a career" and "songwriting." Being in music, I do understand the difference! Just kidding, but songwriting is a TOUGH career.

Bob

[Bob Seijas]

A really great song, but perhaps limited by Chris's raspy voice. He wrote it for/about his girlfriend, Janis Joplin sang it to her imagined boyfriend and made it a monster hit. Horses for courses.

[dryheat]

We sat in the stands being the "audience" for a star is born. We stood up and cheered when prompted. Spring in Arizona and facing west. It was a tough day. I've never understood why AZ thinks Spring is the best time of the year to have outdoor concerts. Kind of like selling BBQ grills in Montana in February.

[frenchkat]

Worked for three years in the Gulf of Mexico as an oilfield pilot for Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. (PHI) before starting a full time music career.