At Home in Hespeler

The story goes that Kris Kristofferson had to talk girlfriend Janis Joplin into recording Me and Bobby McGee. He never heard it however, until after her death in 1970.

That recording would go on to make Bobby McGee one of the true great songs of all time. Forty years on, it still sends chills up your spine.

Kristofferson has lived a varied life, including a stint as a helicopter pilot in the US Army. Upon completing his tour of duty the former Rhodes Scholar and BPhil in English literature was offered a position as professor of English Literature at West Point. He declined, opting for a life in music instead, a decision that led him to be disowned, and never reconciled, by his family.

Besides Me and Bobby McGee, he wrote Help Me Make It Through the Night and the brilliant Sunday Morning Coming Down, to name just two of dozens of hit songs. But today, on his 75th birthday, I offer a tip of the hat to Kris Kristofferson for Me and Bobby McGee, and of the truly great moments in music.

Birthday Wishes Janis Joplin, Kris Kristofferson, Me and Bobby McGee