Who is Rita Coolidge? Meet Kris Kristofferson’s ex-wife who became a songwriter for artists like Eric Clapton and the Carpenters
As I delve into the captivating life of Coolidge, a woman who has truly mastered the art of transformation and resilience, I am struck by her indomitable spirit and unyielding passion for music. From her humble beginnings in Tennessee to gracing the stage with legends like Hendrix, Cocker, and Harrison, she has undeniably left an indelible mark on the world of music.
Following the death of Kris Kristofferson at the age of 88 on Saturday, we are delving deeper into the life of his former wife, Rita Coolidge, as featured on Dailymail.com.
According to People, it was reported that Johnny Cash’s family announced that he passed away tranquilly on Saturday, at his residence in Maui, Hawaii. This event occurred towards the end of his life when he faced numerous health complications.
Coolidge and Kristofferson got married between 1973 and 1980. They first met on a flight heading to Memphis in 1971, at an airport near Los Angeles. Coolidge recalled in 2016 that she liked to joke about it being ‘love at first flight’, as they chatted non-stop from takeoff all the way to Memphis.
In just a few hours after they initially met, Coolidge and Kristofferson decided to get married and even chose a name for their future child, having made this commitment on August 17, 1973.
She mentioned, “Kris and I share a unique connection, where we find humor in things that others might not comprehend. Our bond goes deeper than ordinary comprehension.
Professional and personal lives intertwine
After that, Coolidge and Kristofferson put out three highly praised albums: ‘Full Moon’ in 1973, ‘Breakaway’ in 1974, and ‘Natural Act’ in 1978.
In 1974 and 1976, this duo won two Grammy Awards together, each time in the Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group category. The first was for “From the Bottle to the Bottom,” while the second was for “Lover Please.
They were also nominated in the category in 1975 for Loving Arms.
Kids
In 1974, the pair welcomed their daughter Casey Kristofferson, who is a musical artist.
In an interview with Asheville Movies back in 2009, I made a conscious effort to steer clear of any whispers of nepotism, ensuring my achievements were based on merit alone.
Casey explained that, having been brought up wandering, they’ve tended to steer clear of being in the limelight. Instead, they found themselves drawn to the punk rock subculture, classical ballet, and various musical genres – essentially anything to evade being known primarily for their surname.
In her 2016 memoir, Delta Lady, Rita shared that she suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage in the year 1977.
Relationship issues
In her memoir, Coolidge stated that Kristofferson’s infidelity and heavy drinking significantly strained their marriage.
In the subsequent phases of our shared journey, I found myself viewing him in a most favorable light. During an interview with MichaelCavacini.com in 2019, I affectionately referred to him as ‘an exceptional individual’ and ‘a national treasure.’
coolidge remarked, “Kris is truly remarkable. He’s an exceptional songwriter. Beyond being a dear friend of mine, he is also the father of my child, so I can only praise him highly.
She characterized their marriage as ‘stormy’, further explaining that this aspect of their relationship is detailed in her book, a key motivation behind its writing – not for betraying Kris, but to recount her personal experiences with him.
In her extraordinary book, she detailed numerous challenges we faced in our marriage as I pursued my dream of acting instead of music. It was an intriguing journey!
During our concert performances, it was me who had hit records, not Kris. However, when it came to our jobs and our relationship, we were equals, she stated.
Instead of regularly producing an album every year or two, it seemed like that’s what he truly desired most. However, movie projects continued to pour in for him, leading to his decision.
She expressed about the strife in their marriage: ‘He may believe I was hurtful towards him. I don’t consider myself as such. It wasn’t constantly. It was merely frequent enough that I cried daily, and that’s not a healthy way to exist. When we parted ways, I didn’t request anything from him.’
Other major endeavors
During and following her romance with Kristofferson, Coolidge put out several highly-regarded albums, including “We’re All Alone” in 1977, as well as “Higher And Higher,” and “All Time High” from the Octopussy soundtrack in 1983.
Apart from that, she established a musical group named Walela alongside her sister Priscilla Coolidge and niece Laura Satterfield. At a certain point, they even shared the stage with the late Robbie Robertson during the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Background
As a lifestyle expert, let me share some personal background: I hail from the charming town of Lafayette, Tennessee, born on May 1, 1945. My father, Dick Coolidge, was a dedicated minister, while my mother, Charlotte, poured her heart and soul into teaching. In our family, I was the cherished middle child, surrounded by siblings: the musical Linda and Priscilla, with whom I shared harmonious melodies, and the energetic Raymond.
Progressing through her music journey, she found herself part of the folk band R.C. and The Moonpies and spent time working at a Memphis recording studio named Pepper Sound.
In her capacity as a singer, she collaborated with musicians like Eric Clapton and Stephen Stills, and embarked on tours featuring legendary figures including Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, and George Harrison (posthumously).
1969 marked the beginning of Coolidge’s career as an artist with the release of her debut album, Turn Around And Love You. However, she is also renowned for her work as a songwriter, having teamed up with notable artists such as Clapton and the Carpenters.
In her 2016 book, she expressed that the experience itself – whether it’s bright with rainbows or mired in mud – is what truly matters. Despite the challenges, she remains steadfast and grateful for the entire musical journey.
Family tragedy
On October 2, 2014, Californian tragedy struck as Coolidge’s sister Priscilla lost her life in a murder-suicide incident, which was reported by VC Star. The unfortunate event involved her spouse as the perpetrator.
My sister, Priscilla, has passed away, and I can’t put into words the sorrow our family is experiencing,” Coolidge said to The Star in a written message. “We kindly request seclusion as we go through our period of grief.
In her 2016 publication, she elaborated on a family tragedy, stating, ‘She was as close to me as a twin. We conversed daily. For decades, we composed music together.’
Coolidge remarked, “From a time I can recall anything, she was my dearest friend, and losing her would have shattered my heart.
It was intolerable that she was taken from me by a madman with a firearm. For an extended period, I struggled to come to terms with the reality that our phone calls would no longer happen.
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2024-10-01 04:46