As Sinead O’Connor tore up a photo of the Pope Saturday Night Live When she drew attention to child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in 1992, almost everyone turned away from her. She was banned for life by NBC, often belittled in painfully misogynistic ways by late-night comedians, and even threatened with violence by Frank Sinatra. The only person who came to her aid in the days that followed was Kris Kristofferson. Kristofferson died on Saturday at the age of 88.

In her 2021 memoir Memories: Scenes from my complicated lifeO’Connor wrote in the NBC studio about the immediate aftermath of the incident SNL is taped off. “Complete stunned silence in the audience,” she wrote. “And when I go backstage, there’s literally not a soul in sight. All doors are closed. Everyone has disappeared. Including my own manager locking himself in his room and unplugging his phone for three days.”

As she left the studio, two young men chased her down the street and threw eggs at her. Soon everyone from Madonna to Sinatra was publicly criticizing O’Connor. “That must be a stupid woman,” Sinatra told the audience at a show in New Jersey. “I would kick her ass if she was a guy. She has to beat her kids to stay in shape.”

Just 13 days after SNL O’Connor was booked to perform at Bob Dylan’s 30th anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden, part of an incredible concert that included George Harrison, Neil Young, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Stevie Wonder, Roger McGuinn, the band and Eric Clapton, Tracy Chapman, Chrissie Hynde and Lou Reed.

Early in the evening, Kristofferson came out to introduce O’Connor. “I am truly proud to introduce this next artist whose name has become synonymous with courage and integrity,” he said. “Ladies and gentlemen, Sinead O’Connor.” As you can see in this video, a torrent of boos filled Madison Square Garden as she took the stage. The band eventually opened with Dylan’s 1979 classic “I Believe in You” but was overwhelmed by boos. Kristofferson came out to whisper a few words of encouragement in her ear and the band tried again, but O’Connor signaled them to stop. She then sang part of Bob Marley’s “War,” just as she had done SNLbefore running off the stage into the arms of Kristofferson.

Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready were next and wowed the crowd with a spine-tingling rendition of “Masters of War,” and the evening continued without incident. But it was a sign that the public would never forgive O’Connor, who died in 2023 SNL Controversy and a moment of incredible bravery for Kristofferson.