Veteran country music star Kris Kristofferson has been hailed as “one of the best there ever was” by local musicians and fans across Northern Ireland.
The Texan passed away “peacefully” at his home in Hawaii on Saturday, aged 88.
Kristofferson was an iconic singer-songwriter who notably wrote Sunday Morning Coming Down in 1970 for the late Johnny Cash, as well as Me and Bobby McGee, another classic, which was a No1 for Janis Joplin.
His music career spanned almost six decades, and he was also a Hollywood actor, appearing in A Star is Born (alongside Barbra Streisand), Convoy, Heaven’s Gate and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.
In A Star Is Born, Kristofferson and Streisand sang together on love theme Evergreen, which won an Oscar for Best Original Song, and Kristofferson won a Golden Globe for his acting.
Dvastated Belfast superfan Norman Nabney had the privilege of meeting his idol backstage after Kris played the Ulster Hall in 1993.
Kris Kristofferson at Wembley in 2001 (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns)
Norman had taken a photograph of the singer at a Dublin concert over a decade previously and asked the promoter if Kris would sign it for him. However, the global megastar decided to do it in person after the show.
“That particular Dublin concert in 1982, he talked about more than once, being a highlight of his life. So I gave him a smaller version of the photograph I took of him to keep too,” said Norman.
“I didn’t even get to enjoy that ’93 show, because I was so nervous, as I found out I was going to get to meet him afterwards. It was such a privilege to meet him and he was such a nice man.
“I actually gave him copies of a lot of photos and he once thanked me on stage.
“He has been part of my life since 1971. I used to go to a record shop in the old Smithfield Market and I got friendly with a guy behind the desk there who introduced me to Kris’ second album, The Silver Tongued Devil and I.
“I was blown away. And that was me lost from then on.
“My eldest daughter, Sarah, just loves him as well. Sarah has been with me on three occasions to see Kris and she adores his music — and says he was a fine-looking man!”
Kris Kristofferson meeting Belfast superfan Norman Nabney in 1993
BBC NI broadcaster Hugo Duncan also praised Kristofferson for his creative abilities and work ethic.
“That’s the thing about us singers: we don’t retire, we die,” said the Strabane radio presenter.
“When my daughter Suzanne was very, very young, the first present she bought me for Christmas was Kris’ album The Silver Tongued Devil and I.
“I loved him. He was a singer and a storyteller.
“Help Me Make It Through the Night, For the Good Times — those songs are not only going to be here long after [his passing], but long after his children and grandchildren are gone. People will still be using listening to them.”
Hugo’s friend and fellow Co Tyrone native Philomena Begley noted that she was “always a big fan” of Kristofferson, particularly his gospel-themed song Why Me.
“He was one of the best. He was absolutely brilliant, honest to God,” she told the Belfast Telegraph.
“He was always up there, along with the likes of Willie Nelson and George Jones. They all had that air about them. He was one big one.”
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Whilst the ‘Queen of the Silver Dollar’ had never met Kristofferson, another Co Tyrone native, Sam Neill, had.
The Omagh-born actor revealed his sadness upon the news of the award-winning performer’s death, whom he last spoke to 20 years ago.
Taking to Instagram on Monday, the Jurassic Park star wrote: “Kris Kristofferson just died. We worked together many years ago.
“Such a sweet, sweet man. And so talented. Much loved. I visited him and his family… what, 20 years ago? In Hawaii. A great day. What makes me sad is this: I never saw him again. That’s a little heartbreaking.”
The two men had starred together in the 1980s miniseries Amerika.
Belfast superfan Norman Nabney meeting his hero Kris Kristofferson backstage at the Ulster Hall in 1993, where Kristofferson signed a photograph Norman had taken of him at a previous gig
Irish country music legend Daniel O’Donnell also paid tribute, adding: “He was one of the greatest singer-songwriters ever.
“I had the privilege of recording and singing a number of his songs over the years. May he rest in peace. Sympathies to all his family.”
Kristofferson had played gigs in Northern Ireland many times throughout the years.
In the mid-1980s, he teamed up with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson under the name of The Highwaymen. They made an appearance in Belfast back then too.
He most recently appeared at the Waterfront Hall in 2018 with a solo acoustic show, which both Norman and Sarah attended.
Kristofferson performed a wide range of ‘story-songs’, many with their own poignancy and reflection, and at the end of the show he said simply: “Thank you, Belfast.” To which the crowd all replied: “Thank you, Kris.”