What a life Kris Kristofferson has had. A Rhodes Scholar, athlete, fantastically handsome, the songwriter of his generation, chronicler of the sadness of the working poor, a movie star!, a singer whose gravelly voice made his heartfelt lyrics resonate . . . and all the while down to earth and a friend to people of good will. A Renaissance man for the Woodstock generation. May he live a thousand years.

This interview here shows why Kris has written some of the most meaningful and poignant lyrics of all time. The man has a heart and soul that is so authentic and kind. What a gem of a man.

I cannot understand why there has not been a movie made about Kris Kristofferson's life. Not only is he one of the most prolific and historic song writers of all time, he is a performer and actor who had an intriguing life prior to show business. His life has woven a thread through American history that has not been surpassed by many. His life is an incredible story and also an incredible testimony to faith. He is an American icon.

Kris wiping a tear from his eye while talking about hearing Joplin's version for the first time really got to me.

I always like hearing Kristopherson telling that story. Joplin did a spectacular job on it. Me and Bobby McGee is one of my most favorite songs.

Though I am 3 years late, this interview was spectacular!

I'm 80 years old and that's got to be the most heart-wrenching interview I've ever listened to. That's as real as it gets. I consider myself very fortunate to have lived in a time when I could listen to the creations of Kristofferson.

There are two types of singers -- Janis Joplin and everyone else. There are two types of song-writers --- Kris Kristofferson and everyone else. What a love story ... two stars aligned. Like a comet drifting across the sky, gone too soon.

Kris is insanely intelligent and talented beyond measure……such a cut above the usual country star. Beyond his intellect and talent he’s a kind, genuine, authentic human being we have the privilege to enjoy. God bless him. ❤❤❤❤❤

Kristofferson is one of the greatest song writers/story tellers in the music industry, He can paint a picture with one sentence,

Listening to Kris talk about Janis is one of the best interviews I have heard, it really pulled at my heart strings. You can tell he has a heart of Gold!

Kris Kristofferson talking about Janis Joplin, just made me cry. she was such an incredible artist and clearly he loved her. I had no idea he'd written the song. It's actually one of my all-time favorites.

I saw him in 2008 at, The Sunset Center in Carmel, CA when I lived there. He stopped during a song and said he'd forgotten the words, so the entire audience sang it with him. A friend worked there and told a story after the show, about when The Highwaymen performed there. Kris had a nasty head cold and told Willie Nelson he did not think he could sing that night. Willie replied, "Kris, you can't sing worth a shit anyway!" They both cracked up laughing and went on stage with an arm around each other! We should all have friends like that. What a warm soul he has.

Janis' death is one that brings tears to your eyes after all these years. You can really tell how much Kris misses her. The entire Pearl album is a masterpiece and one of the most raw, powerful and beautiful records ever recorded. It pains me to know Janis never lived to see it.

I’m a recovering alcoholic blessed with over 25 years sobriety, thank you Kris Kristofferson.

Kris is so right the passion and feeling she put in to the song is just evident. So was take another little piece of my heart.

Janis did his song proud. I am happy for her and for Kris. Two immensely talented individuals who deserve all the credit for making Bobby McGee a legendary song. The only sad part is Janis never getting to hear or experience the popularity gained from that one little song. It’s really sad but at least, she got to record it before her passing thanks to Kristopherson, and we get to hear it for the rest of our lives. Thank you Kris and thank you Janis. Two incredibly talented people creating a masterpiece.

.. the Janis Joplin version of Me and Bobby McGee is still among my all time fav songs

Have always loved Kris and his music. He is so honest, so genuine, and I can relate to his music. Janis was, in my opinion, made for Me and Bobby McGee. And she was a force of nature, gone too soon.

That was hard to watch - his sincerity in his telling, in the lyrics, how he brought Janis back to life for a minute, how her performance of that song IS her. I feel like i got hit by a truck. Tears & Cheers!

A lot if times you can see someone is telling a story the way they think sounds good, or that it's the way it should be told. But, Kris loved Janis. You can just see it. This story was pure truth. When he wiped his eye late in the video, you could see he was back in 1970 feeling it again... at least a little bit.

Fantastic interview. I've never heard Kristofferson speak at such length about Janis. You can tell he still misses her after all these years.

What a true Gentleman Kris is...the way he mourns still for Beautiful Janis...What a True Loss she was and still is !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My mother died a few weeks after I was born. I was never told much about her but do know that her favourite song was Me and Bobby McGee as she named her black and white tomcat Bobby after this song.

We lived near the San Diego Sports Arena .... Friend and I went to see Janis ....... Had to sneak out of the house to do so, but hey, it was Janis..... Her voice was so powerful, so full of pure, raw emotion that even young as I was, it connected with me. Little did we know that in a few months that she would be gone. Some flames burn too bright for this world ----- And Janis burned with blinding intensity.

Its crazy that Kris first heard the song (MABM) after Janis died!! That blows my mind. What a gift to Kris. What if she hadnt recorded the song at all? Her control of the lyrics is stunning. I love hearing about musician lives of the past. Its great also that Kris is so open about his past personal relationship with Janis J. So refreshing.

I just broke up in tears listening to Kris. Man, that's a sad story. I Miss her music to this day.

My mind is properly blown. Did not know they were lovers and can't imagine possibly the timing being worse. Chris says that in the end they ended up being more like brother and sister but maybe that's not the way Janice wanted it to be. It's kind of cryptic and it's none of our business but it seems no doubt she did the song as an act of love for Chris. Only she, maybe Chris, could know what she may have hoped the outcome of that act of love to be. I see it as such and Incredibly pure and intensely romantic gesture that I am deeply moved.

He was sure good looking even back in school, san mateo high. Never thought he would become such a great singer. Love his recordings and hope a long, healthy life for him.

"Well, id trade all my tomorrows for one single yesterday." Will never be heard (by me) the same after seeing this. Thanks for sharing.

I got to see Janis Joplin in Denver CO back in the late 60's. What a performer.

Wow. As a self-proclaimed music enthusiast, I am shocked that I've never heard this story. Kristofferson just blew my mind. Going on a KK binge now, thanks for sharing this!

It's always cool to listen to the back story of a song or movie. It makes it even more enjoyable.

Glad Fred boosted Kris's confidence! Great story! I am a Native Texan and love Kris and Janis!!! Janis was a treasure. So sad the drugs got her.

What an honor it was to hear that story. As someone who loved Janis then and loves her now, that brought tears to my eyes. Her recording of that song is a work of art, one of the all-time classics.

There will never be another like Janis. The rough, basic voice, the intensity of her feelings, the total involvement. She spoke to our hearts and souls-if she did not, then you have neither.

One of my all time favorite songs. I never tire of listening to Janis Joplin singing it.

What a beautiful, intimate, vulnerable, honest interview... THANK YOU to everyone involved!

Kris Kristofferson is an amazing man.

I retired after breaking my back after 30+ years in the construction business.. I picked up my guitar, and love playing and singing several of this man’s soul to your toes tunes.. believe it or not, it helped me gain a new lease on life..

What can I say about Kris & Janis Joplin, Kris being one of the most humble singer, songwriter. Janis being one of the most out landish artists out there at the time. Boy, was there an explosion, when Me and Bobby McGee hit the charts. But that goes to show you how two totally opposites can make a dynamite combo. This song is one of my all time favourites, I do not know how many times I've played and sang this tune. All I can say is, thank you Kris and Janis, for putting your soul in such an iconic song. Barry M. Nova Scotia Canada

I saw Kris at a small club in Toronto about 30 years ago. He was there with Billy Swan and he opened the show with Bobby McGee. This interview was a touching reminder of just what kind of man he is. He brought a tear to my eye. Thanks Kris.

22 year old Scottish girl, who listens to kris every day and night, songs of my child hood, a lot of memories x

This is one of the most interesting interviews & real life stories that I've ever heard. Me & Bobby McGee was such a catchy & iconic song for us old timers. It's great how Fred was so supportive & influential in KK's career. Great job on posting this interview treasure!

Amazing story! Bobby Mckee...an assistant in Nashville..Well..I learn something new every new video Joe..You can see the emotion Kris had and still has for Janis..Bittersweet...Thanks again Joe

What an incredibly touching love story. Love in the whole big expanded sense. Makes being a human cool.

Absolutely The Leonard Cohen of Country Music... Legend in every sense of the word, what a legacy !!

Great interview! I never realized what a nice guy Kris Kristofferson was. Love his humility; seldom found in celebrities. His manager who kept encouraging him was a wonderful man too. Fascinating story regarding Bobby McGee! Thanks, again for sharing these amazing interviews.Take care & God bless.🙏🏻🇺🇸🌹

I love that she even wore the feathers off stage. ☮️❤️

That was fantastic. He always struck me as a good humble human. Now it’s confirmed

Listening to Kris tell this most heart touching of tales is truly mesmerizing.

Wow!! That was one of the most touching and personal interviews I have ever seen.I had NO IDEA at all about this story (which is kinda complex in it`s own way) to such a simple little ditty from Janis. I mean you can hear her on the track , just easily moving thru the verses and having a good time. I always smile when I hear this tune...well now I know the story, I will think of this interview!

When I learned this song I was on heroin, now thanks to Kris Kristofferson I'm clean and hope to remain like this.

Janis Joplin lived right above us in our apartment building around 1968-69. Those were the days!

Have loved Kristofferson for years. I thank God that his wife, Lisa, didn't stop questioning doctors who misdiagnosed his Lyme disease as Alzheimer's. If she hadn't been there, he might not be here now. Blessings to both of them.

Outstanding, made hair on my neck stand up too, world class interview gentlemen. Thanks for posting.

Never met or saw Janis but of course I was crushed when she died. I knew her final album was coming and checked the record stores frequently. Then one day I was driving home and the local radio station played Bobbie and I pulled over and turned it up and you know how it sort of crashes to an end, and the dee jay practically screamed into the mike, "Janis Joplin will never die!" and I knew the album had arrived.

You can feel his hurt in his voice, over her loss and he's fighting against the memories.

This is such a beautiful, human story. It should be required listening for all people because it covers all that makes us whole. It has pure soul. Beautiful man, just beautiful.

I am painting a Mandala ('27 Club') for 4th October..... 50 years after.... This has so inspired me.....

one of the greatest songs ever written and recorded

This is fantastic!! There is only one Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum! This is the first Janis song I heard on WABC-AM in 1970 when I was 10 yo. RIP Janis and thank you Kris and Fred!

Made me tear up when he talked about the first time he heard Janice's rendition. What a loss to the world.

RIP Janis....we love you

Hearing Kris talk about losing Janis was heartbreaking 😭

a ton of tears for janis, thanx for the great interview, chris such a humble person ,a true gentleman

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON IS AN AMAZING MAN!! To accomplish what he has Rhodes scholar, turned down West Point professorship, Army helicopter pilot, TRULY one of THE BEST SONGWRITERS of all time/history, performer, actor, etc, etc...WOW!! Kris writing & singing "Me & Bobby McGee" is absolutely perfect; however, JANIS took that song to another dimension. Plain to see how much Kris loved Janis!!!

This touches my heart so much! I really appreciate how sweet and thoughtful Kris is.

The tale these two tell is as heartbreaking and beautiful as the woman herself. Thank you for another treasure Joe.

What a great story about one of the greatest songs ever written, in any genre. I've always admired Kristofferson as a great songwriter. He is truly one of the most gifted songwriting geniuses ever. I can't say the same thing about his acting career. There's just no comparison.

"...One of the few times when I had better judgment". Class act!

You are a good man, Kris Kristofferson! A kind heart with a tough exterior kinda greatness... yep... I am a fan always😎

Kris is absolutely amazing. What a songwriter he is. When I first came across his music, boy was I lucky, as back then most people I knew didn't know he had written so many different songs for a huge array of people. Back then I heard a guitarist singing in local hotel. I'd get up and sing and soon I did the gig with him. Bobby McGhee became a sort of signature song for me. I'd follow it up with Help me Make it through the Night and it became a favourite of the customers and me too. Sunday Morning Coming Down.. Darcy's Castle. Casey's last ride. I was lucky enough to see him when he played at the Usher Hall here in Edinburgh. My cousin and I loved the whole show, and because we had 2nd row seats (always choose 2nd ) I got some great photos of him both playing his guitar and just standing there looking magnificent. Happy days !

One of the finest recordings in history. Another brilliant example of why the medium exists.

I love hearing Kris talk about Janis. You can hear his love for her. Thank you.

"The genius of geniuses". Yes, Kris is that. A real American, a proud American and a wonderful songwriter and singer. But, Fred Foster was a genius, too, for spotting the talent of Kris and others.

50 years ago to this day, you whent to heaven. We miss you Pearl ❤️ Rest forever in peace 🙏🏻

That is a magical recording. Janis sang it with a passion rarely heard.

I also love Help Me Make it Through the Night. Beautiful song!

Oh Wow, what a story!! ❤️❤️❤️. Janis is probably smiling down at these talented songwriters!!!

Thank god for Fred for recognising Kris. I think everyone remembers the first time they hear Kris.. it's like listening to an angel whilst drinking with the devil... His poetry and music takes you to places you have never dared to dance before. Seen him loads over here in England, met his wife in London apollo 2004 and she took my tour t shirt and ran off to get him to sign it for me and he was late on stage because of that. What a nice thing for them to do. Blew me away the kindness.just wish us young ones could have had the chance to see janice. God bless ☮️

I'm 78 and still love Janis...

Listening to Kris singing Black and Blue always has touched my heart. Same with Janis on "A woman left lonely. Two remarkable souls there. Thank You for these interviews, I've enjoyed them all!!!

Incredible art history. The stuff that makes the world spin. Pure Magic Fred. ‘Brother and Sister’ Janis and Kris. Pure genius.

Personal. With all the heart that music is!

Wonderful story about his personal feelings for Janis and hearing her recording of Bobby Mcgee after her death. Very emotional.

I remember when that album come out pearl. I thought that was one of the most beautiful song. Me and bobby Mcgee by Janis Joplin. Thank you Kris 🌹🎑🌠

You can really feel the humanity and emotion in this

The old greats never. die in our hearts.

Thanks for this video Joe. I got to see Janis twice in 1969, loved her. Like Mr. Kristofferson I'm not over her yet.

Kristofferson is the best songwriter we have seen and heard in three generations. Couldn’t sing well, but wrote great songs that many great singers have covered. Great interview

The story sounds like it would make a great movie.

Wonderful interview. "Through all kinds of weather" instead of "Standing right beside my Lord though everything i done" was a mistake in my mind. That being said, I will always love Janis'version. So glad I can sing them both. She was gone way too soon. That being said Kris Kristofferson, You are so much more that that one song. Yeah it may have catapulted you to instant stardom but "For the Good Times" makes me cry every time I hear it and that was before this song.. And all of your other songs are such a blessing! I'm not sure you will ever see this post but if you do, please know there are so many who know just how truly gifted you are. God Bless!

This is such a great interview. Love K.K. , he really is a great song writer and Janis, well she was an incredible talent whose music I still listen to 50yrs later. The thing about these great talents coming out of the 60's, talents like Janis we knew at the time while we were experiencing this amazing, never before created musical talent, that it was completely unique. We didn't have to wait 20 or so plus years to listen and look back and think"now that was incredible music" we knew at the time it was playing that it was incredibly unique, sometimes genius music. And Fred Foster, well he was a real treasure. I love listening to his stories. He had this capacities to hear the greatness in the songwriting and performance of the musical artists that he was listening to,sometimes even more then the artists themselves.I love his stories about his time spent with Roy Orbison. Roy changed the ending of his song "Pretty Woman" from walking away from the girl to getting the girl, because of Fred Fosters observations and input as to how the song should end and Orbison being the secure artist and class act that he was agreed. I love hearing how music is made. Your channel is the best at explaining that. Thx. again for sharing such a great interview.

Thank you for posting this great interview. I saw quite a few groups in those days and one of my biggest regrets is not seeing Janis Joplin. I have not seen Kris Kristofferson either but I have been listening to his music for years. He is great and after watching this interview he seems like a nice guy which seems rare these days. I miss the days of good music and great singers and songwriters.

Thankyou for sharing that Kris. Can see even after all those years it was hard for you to talk about. Janis had a piece of my heart first note I heard her sing.

No one can dispute the talent and class of Kris

I have just started a new habit, I click like then watch the video. These videos are the highest quality content on the entire internet

Beautiful man, beautiful song, ' the very best of times'; nothing has been so good since,....glad we still have the music,....

They are both irreplaceable. Love all versions but Joplin’s sets the bar. Saw the old man when he was here in Sydney last, loved it, felt very lucky