According to Ebie McFarland, a representative for the family, the singer-songwriter passed away in a calm and serene manner at his home in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday.
There was no information provided regarding the cause of death; however, the musician had been experiencing memory loss since he was in his seventies.
The middle of the 1960s marked the beginning of Kristofferson’s career as a musician. He was born in Brownsville, Texas.
Even though he was a vocalist, many of his songs became well-known because other artists sang them. For example, Ray Price’s “For the Good Times” became the number one hit in the United States, and Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee” single from 1971 is a good example.
During the middle of the 1980s, he joined forces with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings to form the country supergroup known as The Highwaymen. They released three albums over their time together before all four members went on to pursue their individual careers.
The former bandmate Nelson stated that there was “no better songwriter alive” when referring to Kris Kristofferson during an awards event in 2009.
“Everything he writes is a standard and we’re all just going to have to live with that,” Nelson added.
In 2004, Kris Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and earned a Grammy Award for his popular song “Help Me Make It Through the Night.”
As an actor, he was awarded the Golden Globe for best actor in 1976 for his portrayal in the romantic drama A Star Is Born, which he shared with Barbra Streisand.
The film was a remake of the 1937 original, which featured Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. It was later transformed into a musical, which starred Judy Garland and James Mason, and it was subsequently remade in 2018 with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper as the lead actors.
Additionally, Kris Kristofferson made an appearance in the film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, directed by Martin Scorsese in 1974, alongside Ellen Burstyn and in the film Blade, directed by Marvel in 1998, featuring Wesley Snipes.
From a caretaker to a record producer
In addition to earning a master’s degree in English from the University of Oxford, Kris Kristofferson was a boxer with the United States organisation Golden Gloves before he began his career in the theatre and film. He later declined an opportunity to teach at a United States military academy in New York in order to pursue a career as a songwriter in Nashville.
He was attempting to break into the industry while working as a part-time caretaker at the Columbia Records studio on Music Row.
During a 2006 interview, Kristofferson indicated that his career may not have materialised without Cash, whom he credited with providing him the opportunity to perform on stage for the first time.
Joplin, with whom he had a significant connection, altered the lyrics to transform Bobby McGee into a male character and recorded her rendition just days prior to her passing in 1970 due to a drug overdose. The track achieved a posthumous peak position of one for Joplin.
In 1973, Kristofferson entered into marriage with fellow songwriter Rita Coolidge, with whom he achieved notable success in their duet career, culminating in the acquisition of two Grammy Awards. Their divorce occurred in 1980.
The singer’s surviving family includes his wife, Lisa, along with eight children and seven grandchildren.
Homages to the icon of country music
Dolly Parton orchestrated a tribute to Kristofferson, engaging fans, fellow musicians, and actors in the homage.
She characterised his passing as a significant loss and stated: “I will always love you.”
Streisand acknowledged Kristofferson in a social media post, stating: “The first time I observed Kris performing at the Troubadour club in L.A.” I recognised his unique potential.
“Without shoes and playing his guitar, he appeared to be the ideal candidate for a screenplay I was working on, which ultimately evolved into A Star Is Born.”
“I extend my condolences to Kris’ wife, Lisa, who undoubtedly provided comprehensive support throughout.”
The chief executive of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Kyle Young, stated that Kristofferson has left behind a significant legacy.
Notable figures such as Grammy-winning artist Travis Tritt, Larry Gatlin, and Wynonna Judd also expressed their tributes.