Rita Coolidge and Kris Kristofferson married in Malibu, California. Shortly before, Kristofferson had recorded the country number one hit “Why Me”, on which Coolidge sang backing vocals. Coolidge first met Kristofferson at Los Angeles airport when they were both traveling on the same flight to Tennessee; instead of continuing to Nashville as planned, Kristofferson got off with her in Memphis. During their marriage, Coolidge recorded five
Billboard Top 40 singles, including the number 2 hit “Higher and Higher” and the number 7 hit “We’re All Alone”. The couple divorced in late
1979.
