Even Elvis played his songs: Country star Kris Kristofferson died

Los Angeles (USA) - The US country singer and songwriter Kris Kristofferson is dead. He died peacefully at home on Maui (Hawaii) on Saturday at the age of 88, his family announced on Sunday.

Kris Kristofferson (†88) died peacefully. "When you see a rainbow, know that it's smiling down on all of us," his family said in a statement.
Kris Kristofferson (†88) died peacefully. "When you see a rainbow, know that it's smiling down on all of us," his family said in a statement.  © Juan Herrero/EFE/EPA/dpa

There was initially no information about the cause of his death. "We are all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years," his family said.

Kristofferson was considered one of the most important songwriters of all time. His songs were sung by music legends such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Janis Joplin and Ray Charles.

The grandson of Swedish immigrants, he was born in the south of Texas in 1936, later studied at Oxford in the UK on a scholarship for the gifted and wanted to become a writer. When he was unsuccessful, he joined the US military as a helicopter pilot. From 1962 to 1965, Kristofferson was stationed in Bad Kreuznach (Rhineland-Palatinate).

The musician finally found his fortune in Nashville, the Mecca of country music. There he wrote one hit after another, including "Sunday Morning Coming Down".

Kris Kristofferson is a member of the "Country Music Hall of Fame"

Kristofferson was not only a star in Nashville (Tennessee), but also thrilled his fans all over the world.
Kristofferson was not only a star in Nashville (Tennessee), but also thrilled his fans all over the world.  © Frederic J. BROWN / AFP

Kristofferson won three Grammys, including one for best country song. He also became a celebrated film star.

In the 1970s, he starred with Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn (91) in Martin Scorsese's "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" (1974). In 1977, he won a Golden Globe Award alongside Barbra Streisand (82) for his role in "A Star is Born". He later played the notorious outlaw "Billy the Kid" on the big screen.

The accolade followed in 2004: Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. "His work not only gave his soul a voice, but ours as well. He leaves behind a resounding legacy," said Kyle Young, executive director of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Kristofferson is survived by his wife Lisa, eight children and seven grandchildren.