Merle Ronald Haggard was an American country and Western songwriter, singer, guitarist, fiddler, and instrumentalist. In 1994, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994.
As an inmate at San Quentin from 1958 to 1960, Merle Haggard saw Johnny Cash play at the prison on January 1, 1959. It changed his life. Haggard was later granted a pardon by Ronald Reagan when the former actor was Governor of California.
Has been vocal in his opposition to the state of current country radio programming, which he has said focuses more on younger, pop-country oriented acts rather than traditional stars.
Has scored 38 No. 1 hits on Billboard magazines country singles charts between 1967 to 1988. Among his biggest hits included "Im a Lonesome Fugitive" ; "Sing Me Back Home," "The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde" and "Mama Tried" (all 1968); "Hungry Eyes," "Working Man Blues" and "Okie From Muskogee" (all 1969); "The Fightin Side of Me" ; "If We Make it Through December" ; and "Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star" . Hes also had duet hits with such performers as Leona Williams, Clint Eastwood , George Jones , Willie Nelson and Jewel Kilcher.
Son of James Frances Haggard and Flossie Mae Harp, children: Dana, Marty, Kelli and Noel Haggard.
Recipient of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors; other recipients that year were Oprah Winfrey , Jerry Herman , Paul McCartney , and Bill T. Jones.
Bore a resemblance to actor Warren Beatty during the 1960s & 70s.
Famous country & western singer
Hospitalized with double pneumonia in December 2015 and March 2016.
Underwent surgery for lung cancer in November 2008.
Died on his birthday, after complications with pneumonia at his home in California. He was 79.
Supported Hillary Clinton s bid to win the Democratic nomination in 2016.
When George Jones died, we lost the greatest country singer who ever,lived. Every time he stepped in front of a mike, he knocked me out.
