Kris Kristofferson—actor, songwriter, and outlaw country star—has died. Stephen Betts, writing for Rolling Stone, described him as a musical storyteller.

As the songwriter of legendary compositions like “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” and “Me and Bobby McGee,” Kris Kristofferson transformed lyrics into literature, elevating the craft to a legitimate American art form in a way few had done before. Part Romantic poet, part folk troubadour, part country-music storyteller, Kristofferson died Saturday at the age of 88.

I was not aware of his Renaissance man status.