One of the all time greatest songwriters. There's not a single song on his first album (Kristofferson) that is not made for the history books.
Nick Cave recemtly referenced him (and his cleanest dirty shirt) on his newest album (Wild God, song Frogs), in a song that is all about life and death. Seems relevant somehow.
Then I headed back for home
And somewhere far away a lonely bell was ringing
And it echoed through the canyons
Like the disappearing dreams of yesterday
I'm not sure I have seen any of his movies.
I grew up with Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, but Kristofferson was the one country legend I had the pleasure of introducing my father to. For a couple of years after I gave him the CD for Christmas he would play the album constantly, several times every day - always skipping "Blame It on the Stones" but listening to everything else.
I should get around to watching some of his movies.