Rosanne Cash remembered the late Kris Kristofferson as “a piece of my heart and family history” in a moving tribute shared on Instagram.
Cash, as she wrote, knew Kristofferson for much of her life. He, of course, worked closely with Rosanne’s father, Johnny, a relationship that came together after Kristofferson got Johnny’s attention by landing a helicopter in his yard. And the first time Rosanne sang on record was a rendition of the Kristofferson-penned tune “Broken Freedom Song,” recorded for Johnny’s 1974 album, The Junkie and the Juicehead Minus Me.
In her tribute, Rosanne said she expected that Kristofferson would “leave the planet fairly soon,” but said that “doesn’t change the magnitude of the loss.” She continued: “And yet we will always have him — his enormous legacy, his resonant spirit, the lasting power of his authenticity, his staggering gifts as a poet — in word, on screen, in his being.”
Rosanne also shared a word for Kristofferson’s widow, Lisa Meyers, saying: “For the last several decades, there was no Kris without Lisa and her beauty and steadfastness is a constant inspiration. I send you all my love, Lisa. Travel safe, dear brother. I will always love you.”
Rosanne and Kristofferson worked together many times — on tour, in the studio, and as activists — over the decades. In the 2000s, Cash, Kristofferson, and Elvis Costello collaborated together on the song “April 5th.” And last year, Cash brought Kristofferson out on stage for what would be his final public performance — a rendition of “Lovin’ Her Was Easier” at Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday party concert (Kristofferson had officially retired from music and acting a couple years prior, in January 2021).
Kristofferson died Saturday at the age of 88 at his home in Maui, Hawaii. An official cause of death was not immediately available.