US country music star Kris Kristofferson dies, aged 88
Kris Kristofferson, the accomplished country musician and actor known for his collaborations with Johnny Cash and director Martin Scorsese, has passed away at the age of 88.
A spokesperson announced that he died "calmly" at his residence in Hawaii on Saturday, with his family by his side.
The description portrayed Kristofferson as "a proponent of peace, a change-maker, an actor, a big name in the industry, an icon of attraction, and a devoted family member."
The highly decorated artist gained fame for his songwriting talents, with popular songs like "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Help Me Make It Through the Night" to his name. He also had a role in the acclaimed film "A Star Is Born."
A statement from his family expressed that they felt incredibly fortunate for the moments they shared with him.
"We appreciate your love for him over the years. Whenever you see a rainbow, remember that he’s watching over us and smiling,” the message stated, as reported by CBS News, the BBC's partner in the US.
Kristofferson was born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, and went on to become a prominent figure in the country music scene.
"When I began my journey, I was among those aiming to elevate the reputation of country music," he mentioned in a statement from his family.
A few of the tracks I released became successful for that reason. I guess that's why someone might consider inducting me into a Hall of Fame. It certainly isn't due to my amazing singing voice.
Kristofferson pursued his writing education at Pomona College in California and subsequently attended Oxford University on a Rhodes scholarship. He completed his master's degree at Oxford in 1960, after which he came back to the United States and enlisted in the army.
He was tasked by the military with teaching literature, a job he described as "sounding like a nightmare."
In 1965, he traveled to Nashville, and just two weeks later, he quit his position in the army and relocated to the heart of country music to follow his dreams in music.
The director of the Country Hall of Fame and Museum mentioned that he has established a powerful legacy.
Kyle Young expressed on X that Kris Kristofferson viewed creativity as a divine blessing, suggesting that those who overlook this talent are destined to feel miserable. Kristofferson emphasized the idea that using one's intellect allows for deeper expression of one's inner self, and his artistic contributions resonated not just with him, but with all of us.
He received three Grammy Awards for Best Country Song for "Help Me Make It Through the Night" in 1972, as well as two different duets with Rita Coolidge in 1974 and 1976. He was married to Coolidge during the 1970s.
In 1971, Kristofferson made his acting debut and later earned a Golden Globe for his role as John Norman Howard in A Star Is Born (1976), where he starred alongside Barbra Streisand, who played Esther Hoffman.
Throughout his acting career, he played a variety of characters in films such as Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, Lone Star, and the Blade series.
In 1985, Kristofferson teamed up with friends Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson to create a supergroup known as The Highwaymen.
"Whenever I see a photo of myself with Willie, John, and Waylon, I'm always taken aback that they actually allowed the janitor to be in the room," he shared with journalist Mikal Gilmore, reminiscing about his past role at CBS's Nashville studio.
In 2003, Kristofferson was honored with the Free Speech Award by the Americana Music Association.
A year later, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
He was also recognized with several lifetime achievement awards, including those from The Recording Academy, the Country Music Association, and the Academy of Country Music.
Kristofferson leaves behind his wife Lisa, along with eight children and seven grandchildren.
