In Memoriam: Kris Kristofferson (1936-2024)

Country Music Hall of Fame member Kris Kristofferson has died at the age of 88.

Variety reports:

Kris Kristofferson, who attained success as both a groundbreaking country music singer-songwriter and a Hollywood film and TV star, died Saturday at home in Maui, Hawaii. No cause of death was given, but he was described as passing away peacefully while surrounded by family. He was 88.

Said his family in a statement, “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 28 at home. We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.” The statement was offered on behalf of Kristofferson’s wife, Lisa; his eight children, Tracy, Kris Jr., Casey, Jesse, Jody, John, Kelly and Blake; and his seven grandchildren.

Kristofferson had already spent several modestly successful years in Music City’s song mills by the time he broke through as the author of such No. 1 country hits as “For the Good Times” (Ray Price, 1970), “Sunday Morning Coming Down” (Johnny Cash, 1970) and “Help Me Make It Through the Night” (Sammi Smith, 1971). His song “Me and Bobby McGee” became a posthumous No. 1 pop hit for his former paramour Janis Joplin in 1971.
His first four albums for Monument Records, which showcased his rough, unmannered singing and poetically crafted, proto-outlaw country songs, all reached the country top 10, and 1972’s “Jesus Was a Capricorn,” which contained his No. 1 country hit “Why Me,” topped the country LP chart. He won three Grammys: for best country song (“Help Me Make It Through the Night”) and a pair of duets with Rita Coolidge, to whom he was married from 1973-80.
In 1985, Kristofferson, Nelson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings convened for the album “Highwayman,” a No. 1 country album that introduced the outlaw country supergroup. Ultimately known as the Highwaymen, the quartet issued two more popular albums in 1990 and 1995.
Our condolences to Kristofferson’s family, friends, and fans. Please share your favorite Kristofferson songs, records, and acting performances in the comments.

6 Comments

  1. Kris Kristofferson wasn’t a great singer to me, but he was an amazing songwriter and actor. I’m a 90s kid so that may skew my view of him. I first saw him in the movie Blade as Whistler. After that I saw him in the reboot of Planet of the Apes, and then in The Jacket.
    I had no idea he was a singer/songwriter until I saw a Johnny Cash tribute where he talked about Sunday Morning Coming Down and they talked about the Highwaymen projects.
    After a very extensive deep dive throughout his music I realized he had always been apart of my life without me knowing it.
    Amazing compositions like Why Me, For the Good Times, Help Me Make it Through the Night, Me and Bobby McGee, Sunday Morning Coming Down, etc etc.
    My favorite song of his I first heard from Willie Nelson, and is called A Moment of Forever, it’s what Kristofferson did best, it’s a simple look at a relationship written masterfully.
    RIP Kris Kristofferson, The true definition of a Legend

    https://youtu.be/08xAef861kM?si=JPWRzTMdtclV3MPb

  2. So many great American songs came from Kristofferson, all of which are still covered even to this day. And in terms of movies, one of his best roles, one that came relatively “early” on, was his turn as the notorious 1880’s outlaw Billy The Kid in director Sam Peckinpah’s classic 1973 Western PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID.

    Kris is now for the ages, but he will always be an American music legend and icon par excellence.

  3. People sang his Why Me Lord composition in churches for years.

    Help Me Make It Through The Night was probably one of his most performed and recorded compositions. His songwriting abilities are legendary.

    He will be missed.

  4. It’s probably sacrilege to many, but I think Kris’s own version of Sunday Morning Coming Down is better than Johnny Cash’s. He wasn’t a great singer, but his rough, weary tone embodies that song better than anyone else. It’s why Why Me, Lord also works so well.

    Kris is on my Mount Rushmore of songwriters, along with Bob McDill, Tom T. Hall, and Harlan Howard. While I will miss him, the songs he leaves behind will never die.

  5. …”we’ve only got a penny between us, then it’s two for a penny, she lied…”

    humanality packed in one line by an outstandingly gifted artist – gets me every time.

  6. I saw him in concert a few years ago and I always remember that he only forgot two lines of all of his songs. My favourite is and remains Me & Bobby McGee, it has inspired me to write a little myself (prose fiction, not music), which I think is the reason it holds a special place in my heart.

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