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Kristofferson passed away on Saturday, September 28.
Kris Kristofferson Passes Away – Family Statement
Kristofferson’s family released statement noting, “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28 at home.”
It goes on to say, “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 icon was born in Brownsville, Texas on June 22, 1936. Kristofferson’s love for country music started when he was young. In fact, he revealed in an NPR interview in 2013 that he wrote his first song at the age of 11, titled “I Hate Your Face”.
After graduating from Pomona, earning a bachelor’s degree in creative writing, he was given a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University in Merton College in 1960. As per the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, his parents encouraged him to enlist in the army after college, which he did.
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While serving in West Germany, he formed a band with other soldiers and continued to explore his songwriting talents.
After his duties in Germany were completed, he was offered a job at West Point Military academy and while on leave, headed to Nashville, which only reinvigorated his passion for music. It was in 1965 that he decided to resign from the Army.
Kris Kristofferson’s Legacy
Kristofferson told Clash in a 2010 interview that it was while he was in Nashville, he fell in love with the music community.
He wrote songs while working as a night janitor at Columbia Studios. He penned “For the Good Times” and “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” during that time. He’s also known for classics like, “Help Me Make It Through the Night” and “Me and Bobby McGee.”
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Still, while Kristofferson was an incredible singer, most of his famous songs were performed by others, including Ray Price and Janis Joplin.
With that being said, the music sensation was also incredibly talented in acting, and starred in the 1974 Martin Scorsese hit, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In addition, he was also in A Star Is Born in 1976, opposite Barbra Streisand, and acted alongside Wesley Snipes in the 1998 Marvel film, Blade.
On behalf of everyone here, we send our deepest sympathies to Kris Kristofferson’s family, friends, loved ones, colleagues, and fans.
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