Kris Kristofferson, who became one of the most influential American singer-songwriters of his time with songs such as «Me and Bobby McGee», as well as being a successful actor, has died at the age of 88. This was announced by the family, according to which the artist passed away peacefully at his home in Maui, Hawaii, surrounded by his loved ones. However, the cause of death was not indicated. Kristofferson had suffered from memory loss since he was in his 70s.
According to many, he was a Renaissance man, with various interests: an athlete with a poet’s sensibility, a former army officer and helicopter pilot, a recipient of the prestigious Rhodes scholarship who accepted a job as a janitor, a move that proved brilliant for the his career. Kristofferson first made his name in the music business as a songwriter in the country music capital of Nashville, penning hits such as “Help Me Make It Through the Night” (Grammy Award winner), “For the Good Times” and the heartbreaking hit n. 1 by Janis Joplin, his ex-girlfriend, «Me and Bobby McGee».
In the early 1970s he became known as a performer with a rough and unrefined baritone voice, as well as being an in-demand actor, notably starring alongside Barbra Streisand in «A Star Is Born», one of the most popular films from 1976.