In the world of music and bold personalities, Sinéad O’Connor stands out as a figure unafraid of controversy. Known for her fearless expressions, there were still moments when public reactions could be challenging. Consider the 1992 concert organized by Columbia Records to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Bob Dylan’s debut album. The event, pay-per-view as noted by Marc Tracy of the New York Times, featured performances by Dylan alongside icons like Stevie Wonder, George Harrison, Johnny Cash, and Eric Clapton. An unforgettable figure in this ensemble was the late Kris Kristofferson.
Sinéad O’Connor took the stage during this concert, despite being under intense scrutiny. Just two weeks prior, her bold move on Saturday Night Live—tearing up a picture of Pope John Paul II to protest the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse scandals—had sparked widespread debate. Introducing her that night, Kristofferson set the stage for O’Connor, who faced a mix of cheers and boos from the audience as she stood sword at the microphone.
In this memorable video, you’ll see Kristofferson stepping back on stage, wrapping an arm around O’Connor and whispering words of encouragement. While the show was intended to feature Dylan’s “I Believe in You,” O’Connor, unfazed, delivered a powerful rendition of Bob Marley’s “War,” echoing her SNL performance. Later revelations showed Kristofferson’s words to her were, “Don’t let the bastards get you down.” To which she confidently replied, “I’m not down.”
This defiance was typical of O’Connor, who, in her 2021 autobiography, remarked on her independence and resilience. Her connection with Kristofferson endured through the years, as evidenced by their joint appearance in the 1997 music video for “This Is to Mother You.” In 2010, they came together once more for a duet on an Irish talk show, performing Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” That was a year after Kristofferson released his tribute song to the 1992 incident, “Sister Sinead.” Despite their different paths, these two artists recognized each other’s kindred spirit—a connection rarely seen in the music world today.
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Be sure to explore the works of Colin Marshall, based in Seoul, who shares insights on cities, language, and culture through his writing and broadcasts. Follow his Substack newsletter Books on Cities and read his book The Stateless City: a Walk through 21st-Century Los Angeles. Stay updated on @colinmarshall or Facebook.
