Me and Bobby McGee Hitmaker and Country Music Legend Kris Kristofferson Dies at 88

Legendary country music singer and actor Kris Kristofferson has passed away peacefully at his Maui home after a remarkable career spanning six decades. A family spokeswoman said Kristofferson was surrounded by his friends and family when he breathed his last. The prolific artist and actor is survived by his wife Lisa, eight children, and seven grandchildren. 

The statement issued by the family says, “Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.”

Tributes for the legend have also started pouring in for the musician known for playing with Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. 

Kyle Young, CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame, said, “He preached that a life of the mind gives voice to the soul, and his work gave voice not only to his soul but to ours. He leaves a resounding legacy.” 

Other prominent musicians, like Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire, also shared their experiences of working with him, showering him with compliments. 

While becoming a country music singer was not on the cards for Kristofferson, things changed when he took up the job of a janitor at the Columbia Records studio. It’s while working there he would meet many stalwarts of the music industry and get the golden opportunity to showcase his music to them. Then he finally recorded a studio album at the age of 33 and went on to record 17 more during his lifetime. 

Kristofferson went on to write evergreen classics, including Me and Bobby McGee, Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down, Help Me Make it Through the Night, For the Good Times, and more during his illustrious career spanning six decades. Me and Bobby McGee became his most famous song and remained so till the time he retired from his music career in 2021. 

He also wrote songs for Faron Young, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Stevens, and Billy Walker. 

Besides donning the hat of a country music singer-songwriter, Kristofferson also dabbled in acting. He worked with famous directors like Martin Scorsese and Sam Peckinpah during his lifetime, winning a Golden Globe for his performance in the 1976 film A Star is Born. Kristofferson starred opposite Hollywood’s favorite Barbra Streisand in the film. 

The actress and singer took to her Instagram account to pay tribute to her co-actor, calling him “special” and “charming.”