NASHVILLE — “Me and Bobby McGee” is one of Kris Kristofferson’s most famous and widely covered songs, with everyone from Janis Joplin to Pink putting their own spin on it since 1969.

He put me on stage the first time.” One of his most recorded songs, “Me and Bobby McGee,” was written based on a recommendation from Monument Records founder Fred Foster.

Kris Kristofferson, the beloved singer-songwriter and actor behind tunes "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down," died on Saturday at 88 years old.