Sadly, his family have announced, that.the US country music legend Kris Kristofferson, has passed away at the age of 88.
His family have stated on his official Facebook page, quote, “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28th, at home in Hawaii. 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.”
No cause of death as yet has been given in the statement issued by his family, however he had retired from his music career, claiming he was loosing his memory.
Born Kristoffer Kristofferson on June 22nd, 1936 in Brownsville, Texas, U.S., the outstanding performer, who held a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in English literature and an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts, held down numerous jobs prior to his enormous fame. These included that of floor sweeper, commercial helicopter pilot, and attaining the rank of United States Army Captain, before leaving the army.
His favourite sports, at which he greatly excelled included, boxing, rugby, American football and track and field events.
Due to his great determination he eventually achieved hard won fame as a talented singer, musician, songwriter and actor; giving us all those wonderful story telling lyrics, “Me and Bobby McGee”; “For the Good Times”; “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”, and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”, to name but a few.
I had the great privilege of meeting and photographing Mr Kristofferson, for publicity photographs in the Premier Hall here in Thurles, many years ago, when he performed there during one of his many visits to Ireland.
On leaving the US army, he was offered a teaching job at West Point, but he decided instead to head to Nashville, where he began to submit songs for others to record.
In 1970, he signed his own record deal and recorded his first album, (which I borrowed from a friend in 1971).
He would earn success both with his own voice and by providing tunes for other hitmakers, including Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin, Ray Price, Dave Dudley, Roy Drusky, Waylon Jennings, Billy Walker, Ray Stevens
Gladys Knight & the Pips, Jerry Lee Lewis, Al Green and Kenny Rogers, to name but a few.
During his career Kristofferson and Willie Nelson continued a partnership, before joining Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash, to form the supergroup “The Highwaymen”.
Kristofferson made his acting debut in “The Last Movie”, directed by Dennis Hopper. This was followed by films including “Blade”; “Dance with Me”; “Yohan—the Children Wanderer”; “Dolphin Tale”; “Joyful Noise”, latter with long-time friend Ms Dolly Parton; “The Motel Life”; as well as “Angels Sing” with Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett. Kris Kristofferson also appeared alongside Barbra Streisand in the 1976 film “A Star is Born”.
Mr Kristofferson had eight children from his three marriages; two from his first marriage to Fran Beer; one from his second marriage to Rita Coolidge and five from his marriage to his third wife, Lisa (née Meyers) Kristofferson.
The artist once stated that he would like the first three lines of Leonard Cohen’s “Bird on the Wire”, on his tombstone:
“Like a bird on the wire,
Like a drunk in a midnight choir,
I have tried in my way to be free”.
In ár gcroíthe go deo.
Aeterna Non Caduca. (Eternal Not Decay).
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