ROCK ‘N’ ROLL COMEDIAN – Sam Kinison

Published on November 9, 2010 by Christian Sellers · 1 Comment

Known for his hard living lifestyle and outspoken opinions, Sam Kinison was one of the most notorious stand-up comics of the late 1980s. Be soon became a symbol of pop culture, starring in movies, music videos and television shows, whilst expressing his controversial beliefs on sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. Born Samuel Burl Kinison in Peoria, Illinois on December 8th 1953, Kinison’s parents were Pentecostal preachers and he was raised in a strict, religious household. Following in his family’s footsteps, Kinison travelled the country, preaching the word of God in tent revivals across America. Having already developed a taste for music as a teenager, Kinison soon began performing in comedy clubs in an effort to earn money, incorporating his evangelist-style delivery in his routines.

After divorcing his wife, Kinison began to take a serious interest in comedy as an occupation and became a regular fixture of clubs in Houston, Texas. His first break came in 1984 when he performed at the 9th Annual Young Comedians Special, which was hosted by acclaimed actor and comic Rodney Dangerfield. The event would also feature appearances from Bob Saget, Bob Nelson and Maurice LaMarche. On November 14th 1985, Kinison made his network debut on Late Night with David Letterman, delivering his routine in much the same way as he had done as an evangelist preacher, albeit in a very cynical and angry fashion. Kinison’s association with Dangerfield would continue throughout his early career, following his appearance on Rodney Dangerfield: It’s Not Easy Bein’ Me in 1986 with his first motion picture Back to School.

The same year, Warner Bros. released one of his routines as an album entitled Louder Than Hell, which included his infamous skit on world hunger (I see the same commercials, with those little kids, starving and very depressed. I watch those kids and I go, “Fuck, I know the film crew could give this kid a sandwich”). 1988 would also prove to be a very successful year for Kinison, who not only released his second comedy album, Have You Seen Me Lately? (which also included his cover of Wild Thing by The Troggs), but also appeared in the music video for Bon Jovi’s hit single Bad Medicine. Coincidentally, he would later feature in the video for Kickstart My Heart by Mötley Crüe. His mainstream appeal would be heightened by his cameo as a guardian angel in an episode of popular sitcom Married with Children, which was a playful homage to the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life.

After releasing his third album, Leader of the Banned, in 1990, Kinison continued to make high profile appearances on television, including the 32nd Annual Grammy Awards and the Sam Kinison Family Entertainment Hour. Despite his reputation for heavy drinking and drug use, by 1992 Kinison was sober and had married his third wife, Malika, in Hawaii. On his way to a sold-out show at the Riverside Resort Casino in Laughlin, Nevada on April 10th, Kinison’s car collided with a pickup truck driven by a seventeen-year old who was driving under the influence. It was later revealed that Kinison had traces of cocaine, codeine, Valium and Xantac in his system. Kinison was just thirty-eight when he died. Malika was seriously injured in the crash and was taken to Needles Desert Community Hospital, although she would survive.