BMI Remembers Kris Kristofferson
BMI was deeply saddened to learn of the death of legendary Country singer/songwriter, longtime affiliate and BMI Icon, Kris Kristofferson, who passed away Saturday at his home in Maui, Hawaii at the age of 88.
From humble beginnings as a floor-sweeper at Columbia Records’ Nashville office, Kristofferson convinced Johnny Cash to record his original song, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” in 1970, which went on to earn Kristofferson the Songwriter of the Year Award at the CMA’s. His gifts not only sent several other artists to the top of the charts with hits like “Me and Bobby McGee” for Janis Joplin, “For the Good Times” by Ray Price, “The Taker” for Waylon Jennings, and “Help Me Make It Through” the night for both Sammi Smith and Gladys Knight & The Pips, among many others, but also fueled his own solo career, resulting in timeless tracks like “The Silver Tongued Devil & I,” “The Pilgrim, Chapter 33,” “Casey’s Last Ride,” “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again),” and many others.
Beyond his massive talent as a songwriter, performer and recording artist, Kristofferson was an accomplished actor, most renowned for his memorable roles in films like Michael Cimino’s Heaven’s Gate, Martin Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and Frank Pierson’s 1976 version of A Star is Born.
Over the course of his illustrious career, Kristofferson received three GRAMMY awards, was nominated 13 times and was given the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. He received 15 BMI Awards and was named a BMI Icon at the 57th Annual BMI Country Awards in 2009.
A consummate music creator whose legacy will live on, Kris Kristofferson will be dearly missed by his friends, fans and family at BMI.
BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill with Kris Kristofferson.
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