Willie Nelson Says Kris Kristofferson's Death Was a 'Sad Time': 'Hated to Lose Him'

Mar. 15, 2025

Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson rehearsing for the Grammys in 2014 in Los Angeles.Photo:Kevin Winter/WireImage

Kevin Winter/WireImage

Willie Nelsonis reflecting on the death of his longtime friend and former bandmateKris Kristofferson.

Nelson, 91, praised the late star as a “great songwriter” in an interview with theAssociated Press, just over one month after Kristoffersondied on Sept. 28 at age 88.

“He left a lot of fantastic songs around for the rest of us to sing, for as long as we’re here,” Nelson said. “Kris was a great friend of mine. And, you know, we just kind of had a lot of fun together and made a lot of music together — videos, movies. I hated to lose him. That was a sad time.”

Nelson and Kristofferson formed the country supergroupThe Highwaymenin 1986 alongsideWaylon JenningsandJohnny Cash. The group released three albums over the next decade, and continued to tour into the late 1990s. Jennings died in 2002, and Cash the year after, leaving Nelson the last group member standing.

Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson at a benefit concert in Nashville in 2013.Rick Diamond/Getty

Rick Diamond/Getty

“If you just take the music part of it and go back to, you know, Waylon and Kris and John and, you know, all of us working together, the Highwaymen. And then I am the only one left. And that’s just not funny,” the told the AP.

Kristofferson’s final performance before his death was at Nelson’s 90th birthday party concert in April 2023, during which he performed withRosanne Cash.

“I think we are about as close as friends can be,” Nelson toldRolling Stonein 2009. “I think we understand all we need to understand about each other.”

Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson performing in 1985.Beth Gwinn/Getty

Beth Gwinn/Getty

Kristofferson’swife Lisaalso praised the camaraderie of The Highwaymen to the outlet, noting their true adoration for one another.

“Audiences adored them, but they couldn’t know how great those men really were together behind the scenes,” she said. “It was a decade of rolling laughter and love. John and Kris’ last words to each other were ‘I love you.’ Same to Waylon. That’s rare for men, and it was real.”

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28 at home. We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all," his family said in a statement shared with PEOPLE.

source: people.com