“For Some Reason, I’m Still Here”: Willie Nelson Gets Candid About Kris Kristofferson’s Death and the Struggles of Saying Goodbye

This Friday (November 1), Willie Nelson will release his 76th solo album Last Leaf. The album’s “through line” sees Nelson contemplating his mortality. While no one wants to think about losing the Red-Headed Stranger, it’s no surprise he’s starting to publicly ponder the end of the road at 91 years old. Recently, he opened up about outliving many of his friends and loved ones.

Kris Kristofferson’s death made Nelson the last living member of The Highwaymen. Nelson, Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash weren’t just bandmates, though, they were friends. However, these are far from the only losses Nelson has seen over the years. He’s also watched Toby Keith, Loretta Lynn, Billy Joe Shaver, and other country greats leave this world before him. Additionally, he lost his sister and piano player Bobbie Nelson, his son Billy, and his good friend and drummer Paul English. Nelson chronicled his friendship with English in the song “Me and Paul.”

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Nelson recently sat down with NBC News to talk about his upcoming album, the presidential election, and more. During the conversation, he reflected on outliving many of his friends.

Willie Nelson Opens Up About Grief

Willie Nelson spoke briefly about outliving many of the people he cares about in the interview. “I’ve lost a lot of good friends,” he said with his laid-back charm. “And for some reason, I’m still here,” he added with a chuckle after a brief pause.

Nelson has suffered many public and private losses over the years. Some may think that losing friends would get easier as one ages. However, that is not the case for the country icon. “We all have to go through it in various ways,” he shared. “And each time is just as bad as the last time,” he added.

However, doesn’t seem that Nelson is dwelling on his losses or the past. He’s too busy looking into the future and being proud of the next generation of his lineage. Lucas Nelson has a budding career with his band Promise of the Real and Micah is making a name for himself as well. In fact, he helmed Nelson’s next album.

“He produced it, picked all the songs, and he played all the instruments and made the video, did the artwork, animation,” the legend said of his son’s work on his album. “I’m really proud.”

Featured image by Kevin Kane/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame