Country Music Pioneer Passes Away At The Age Of 88

Kris Kristofferson, the legendary songwriter and actor who is long credited as a pioneer of the Country Music genre, passed away on Saturday at the age of 88.

“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,” Kristofferson’s family announced in a statement. “Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.”

Kristofferson performs at a concert in Frankfurt, Germany in 2018. Photo: Stefan Brending

Kristofferson performs at the Isle Of Wight Festival in 1970

Kristofferson “changed the language of country music, with extraordinary internal rhymes, Shakespearean iambic pentameter, and socially progressive subject matter that found the personal within the political,” his representative announced in a separate statement.

“He was a Rhodes Scholar in Oxford, a defensive back, a bartender, a Golden Gloves boxer, a gandy dancer, a forest firefighter, a road crew member, and an Army Ranger who flew helicopters.”

Kristofferson performed with some of the most legendary acts in music history throughout his illustrious career, which took off in the early 1970’s. As a songwriter, he authored several number one hits, including “For The Good Times,” which was performed by Ray Price, and “Sunday Morning Coming Down” by Johnny Cash. Both hits were released in 1970.

In 1971, his song ““Me and Bobby McGee” became a certified cultural sensation when it was performed by Janis Joplin.

In the 1980’s, Kristofferson was part of the Country supergroup the Highwaymen with Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. The group is credited with revolutionizing the outlaw country genre.

In addition to writing and performing chart-topping hits, Kristofferson enjoyed a successful career as an actor and landed a number of prominent roles. He starred in films such as “Semi-Tough,” “Songwriter,” “Lone Star,” and “The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea.”

He also enjoyed prominent roles in the “Blade” trilogy and “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.”

In 1976, he earned a Golden Globe award for best actor for his leading role in “A Star Is Born.”

Kristofferson in “A Star Is Born” Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment

In 2004, the songwriting pioneer was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and in 2015 he earned a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy.

Kristofferson is survived by his wife, Lisa; his eight children, Tracy, Kris Jr., Casey, Jesse, Jody, John, Kelly and Blake; and his seven grandchildren. A cause of death has not been revealed as of this report, though his family reported that he passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones.

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