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Tributes paid to country icon Merle Haggard

Updated / Thursday, 7 Apr 2016 09:35
Merle Haggard - Died at his home in Palo Cedro, California, surrounded by his family
Merle Haggard - Died at his home in Palo Cedro, California, surrounded by his family

Tributes have been paid to country legend Merle Haggard who died on Wednesday - his 79th birthday - after battling with pneumonia for several months.

The singer-songwriter's manager confirmed that he died at his home in Palo Cedro, California, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his fifth wife, Theresa Ann Lane, and six adult children.

The three-time Grammy winner had struggled with pneumonia in both lungs for the past few months, which had forced him to cancel several shows this year.

His son Ben paid tribute to his late father on Facebook, writing: "A week ago dad told us he was gonna pass on his birthday, and he wasn't wrong. A[n] hour ago he took his last breath surrounded by family and friends. He loved everything about life and he loved that every one of you gave him a chance with his music. He wasn't just a country singer... He was the best country singer that ever lived."

One of the true greats

Haggard became a household name in 1969 when his song Okie From Muskogee went to number one, and he went on to record music for more than 40 years, releasing dozens of albums and scoring many more chart hits. He was a pioneer of country music's 'Bakersfield sound', known for its blend of twang and steel guitar, as well as the 'outlaw country' genre.

In 2000 he found a new generation of fans with his album If I Could Only Fly, a haunting tour-de-force which dealt with Haggard's past struggles with addiction and the onslaught of time.  

Willie Nelson, his longtime friend, said in a statement: "He was my brother, my friend. I will miss him," while The White House called Haggard a "legend" and said President Barack Obama was sending his thoughts and prayers to Haggard's family.

Merle Haggard with wife Theresa Ann Lane and son Ben at the Grammys in January 2014

In 2010 Haggard was honoured by the Kennedy Center in Washington DC for his lifetime contribution to the performing arts in the US. Also honoured in the same year were Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, composer Jerry Herman and choreographer Bill T Jones. He had been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994. 


Merle Haggard at the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors with (clockwise from top) Bill T Jones, Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey and Jerry Herman

Tributes have poured in on Twitter:

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