Kris Kristofferson: Ringo Starr, Tom Jones, Paul Simon lead tributes to late country legend

1 October 2024, 16:58 | Updated: 1 October 2024, 17:05

You're only as good as the company you keep.

That saying couldn't be any more true than when applied to the late, great Kris Kristofferson.

A man of principle and a man of many talents, Kristofferson embraced the hallmarks of the Nashville sound and took it to poetic new realms, himself influenced by neo-Romantics like John Keats, the Beat Generation, and Bob Dylan.

Funnily enough, his first brush with music came when he worked as a janitor at Columbia Records when Dylan recorded his seminal 1966 album Blonde On Blonde.

Several years later, Kristofferson was rubbing shoulders with music greats as a musician himself, after scoring his first big hit in 1970 with 'For The Good Times', having already penned 'Me And Bobby McGee' for one-time lover Janis Joplin.

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Not only was he a respected solo artist, but he also formed the outlaw country supergroup The Highwaymen with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings - it doesn't get any more elite than that.

His mark on country music was an indelible one however, and an illustrious list of icons have since paid tribute to the late pioneer after news of his death broke.

The likes of Ringo Starr, Paul Simon, Tom Jones, Carole King, The Kinks' Dave Davies, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, and actors Russell Crowe and Jamie Lee Curtis have all paid their respects to Kristofferson.

The Beatles' legendary drummer Ringo wrote: "God bless Kris peace and love to all the family Ringo 😎✌️🌟❤️🎶🎼🌈☮️" next to a black-and-white image of the two together.

Paul Simon also took to his Twitter/X account to say: "So sad to hear about the passing of Kris. One of our great American songwriters. His music was an influence on us all."

Similarly, Welsh powerhouse Tom Jones paid tribute to Kristofferson, writing: "A very sad loss of the great Kris Kristofferson, creator of some of the most beautiful, moving songs ever written and recorded."

"A talent with huge capability and intellect and a wonderful character whose legacy is powerful. RIP Kris: I hope your “soul's in His Hands"."

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Carole King posted a picture of Kris on her Instagram writing "R.I.P. Kris Kristofferson 💙", whilst The Kinks' Dave Davies wrote: "Rest in peace - he was a very talented and unusual man. God bless him"

Barbra Streisand - who starred alongside Kris in the 1976 version of A Star Is Born - wrote a beautiful message in tribute to her late co-star.

"In the movie, Kris and I sang the song I’d written for the film’s main love theme, “Evergreen.”"

"For my latest concert in 2019 at London’s Hyde Park, I asked Kris to join me on-stage to sing our other A Star Is Born duet, “Lost Inside Of You.” He was as charming as ever, and the audience showered him with applause. It was a joy seeing him receive the recognition and love he so richly deserved."

"My thoughts go to Kris’ wife, Lisa who I know supported him in every way possible," she wrote in the caption next to a promotional image from their film together.

Dolly Parton - who has collaborated in the studio and on screen with Kristofferson in the past - wrote on her social media: "What a great loss, What a great writer, What a great actor, What a great friend. I will always love you, Dolly."

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Hollywood greats have also weighed in with their adoration for Kristofferson, with Russell Crowe tweeting: "Kris Kristofferson. What a life he led. Good company. Great man. See you down the road old mate."

Jamie Lee Curtis shared one of her favourite memories of Kristofferson - when he sang 'A Case Of You' with Joni Mitchell and Brandi Carlile for her 75th birthday celebration.

She wrote on Facebook: "If you haven't watched the Joni Mitchell 75th birthday celebration where Brandi Carlile and Kris Kristofferson sang A CASE OF YOU I urge you to do so today in honor of his memory."

"Also remember, he was the one who hugged Sinéad O'Connor when she came off stage after being booed. He was a great artist."

Wesley Snipes starred alongside Kris Kristofferson in vampiric Marvel movie Blade as well as its subsequent sequels.

He posted a handful of images of them together whilst recalling some words of wisdom Kris offered him during filming.

"Fame is having a beautiful family and It takes bravery to be a “good” human with so many “vampires” around," he wrote, before signing off: "Always your student."

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