US country singer and songwriter Kris Kristofferson died peacefully in his home on Maui, Hawaii on Saturday. The family announced this on Sunday (local time). He was 88 years old.

Kristofferson was considered one of the most important songwriters of all time. His songs have been set to music by hundreds of artists, including music legends such as Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles and The Grateful Dead.

Kristofferson made his breakthrough as a songwriter in 1970 with “For the Good Times,” sung by Ray Price. In the same year, his song “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” for his friend and mentor Johnny Cash, became a number one hit. He was also known for “Me and Bobby McGee,” sung by Janis Joplin. Kristofferson later appeared in film and television, playing roles in “A Star is Born” and “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” among others.

Kristofferson was born on June 22, 1936 in Brownsville, Texas. With a scholarship for highly gifted students and the goal of becoming a writer, he studied at Oxford University in England. He then joined the US military, where he was stationed in Bad Kreuznach in Rhineland-Palatinate from 1962 to 1965. Back in the USA, Kristofferson went to Nashville, where he soon celebrated his first successes in country music.