Country singer Kris Kristofferson passed away at the age of 88.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, September 28,” his family wrote in a statement via Instagram on Sunday, September 29. “We are all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these years, and when you see a rainbow, know that he is smiling at us all.”
The post, which featured a black and white photo of Kristofferson, concluded: “The family requests privacy during this time.”
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young also paid tribute to Kristofferson via social media.
“Kris Kristofferson believed that creativity is God-given, and those who ignore such a gift are doomed to misfortune,” Sunday’s statement said. “He preached that a life of the spirit gives voice to the soul, and his work gave voice not only to his soul, but to ours as well. He leaves behind a resounding legacy.”
Kristofferson died Saturday surrounded by his loved ones at his home in Maui. A representative confirmed his death We weekly. Kristofferson is survived by his wife, Lisahis eight children, Tracy, Kris Jr., Casey, Jesse, Jody, John, Kelly and Blake and seven grandchildren.
After spending time in military post-college, Kristofferson moved to Nashville, where he worked as a janitor at Columbia Records.
“I just fell in love with the music community that was going on there,” he said of Nashville during a 2010 interview with Clash. “The way the old heroes helped the new guys. It was a very soulful endeavor at the time; I don’t know if it’s something like that now. But it was definitely the best move I ever made.”
Kristofferson released his first album, Sunday morning is comingin 1972. While balancing his music career, Kristofferson starred in films, including 1974 Alice no longer lives here before breaking through in the 1976 remake A star is born. Kristofferson, who played wide Barbara Streisand in the film, earning a Golden Globe for Best Actor in 1977.
Years later, Kristofferson formed a country supergroup Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings And Willie Nelson called The Highwaymen. The four stars released their first album, Highwaymanin 1985.
Kristofferson went on to win three Grammys and a lifetime award from the Recording Academy in 2018. He also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song in 1985 for the film Songwriter. Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.
Kristofferson announced his retirement from music in 2021.