One of the all time greatest songwriters. There's not a single song on his first album (Kristofferson) that is not made for the history books.

Nick Cave recemtly referenced him (and his cleanest dirty shirt) on his newest album (Wild God, song Frogs), in a song that is all about life and death. Seems relevant somehow.

Then I headed back for home
And somewhere far away a lonely bell was ringing
And it echoed through the canyons
Like the disappearing dreams of yesterday