Credit: Dwight McCann

Willie Nelson reflects on the death of Kris Kristofferson: “I hated to lose him”

Sat 2 November 2024 11:53, UK

Outlaw country pioneer Willie Nelson has reflected on the death of his old friend and collaborator, Kris Kristofferson, following the latter’s death on September 28th. His comments arrived the same day as his 76th studio album, Last Leaf on the Tree.

Kristofferson died at his home in Maui, Hawaii, at the age of 88. According to several reports, the outlaw country legend, known for his songs such as ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ and ‘Help Me Make It Through The Night’, had suffered from memory issues for a while, which were misdiagnosed by doctors who claimed it was Alzheimer’s or dementia. In 2016, it was then clarified that he actually had Lyme disease.

He and Nelson were spiritual and musical brothers in arms. Not only did they share the same left-wing political stance, but they also pioneered the outlaw country genre. In 1985, they formed the supergroup The Highwaymen alongside other legends of the form, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. Nelson is now the surviving member of the group, something he’s reflected on in his latest interview, where he remembered Kristofferson.

“He was a great songwriter,” explained in a new interview with the Associated Press. “He left a lot of fantastic songs around for the rest of us to sing for as long as we’re here. 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.”

“If you just take the music part of it and go back to, you know, Waylon (Jennings) and Kris and John(ny Cash) and, you know, all of us working together, the Highwaymen,” he continued, reflecting on the supergroup. “And then I am the only one left. And that’s just not funny.”

Co-produced by Nelson and his youngest son, Micah, Last Leaf on the Tree has been widely acclaimed. The latter notes that it has a throughline of “facing death with grace.” The lead single is a cover of Tom Waits’ ‘Last Leaf,’ marked out by the emotive line, “I’m the last leaf on the tree.”

Speaking to the Associated Press, the 91-year-old Nelson also commented on his mortality, maintaining he’s “not worried” about death. “I don’t feel bad. I don’t hurt anywhere,” he said.

“I don’t have any reason to worry about dying. But I don’t know anybody who’s lived forever,” Nelson added. “I take pretty good care of myself. And I feel like I’m in pretty good shape physically. Mentally? That’s another story.”

Willie Nelson’s recent health struggles

Willie Nelson has had health struggles recently. In July this year, it was reported that he’d cancelled another show related to The Outlaw Music Festival Tour at the last minute, at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts. This followed the Texan cancelling his first run of shows in June due to an unknown health issue “on doctor’s orders”.

Nelson’s team shared the message on Instagram, explaining that the musician was “not feeling well” and had “been advised to rest for the next four days”. While this statement left fans concerned, it reassured them that Nelson “is expected to make a quick recovery” in time for re-joining the tour the following week.

He has since made a cameo at Presidential candidate Kamala Harris’s rally in Houston, Texas, on October 28th, alongside Beyoncé Knowles. Nelson appeared on Knowles’ latest album, March’s Cowboy Carter.