Country Music Legend Merle Haggard Dead At 79
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DALLAS (CBSDFW/AP) - Country music legend Merle Haggard has died in Palo Cedro, California at age 79.
The news of his death was confirmed by Haggard's manager, Frank Mull, who said the country icon died after a prolonged battle with pneumonia, which he had battled since late last year.
His son Ben Haggard posted on his Facebook page that the singer predicted he would pass on his birthday.
A masterful guitarist, fiddler and songwriter as well as singer, the Country Music Hall of Famer recorded for more than 40 years, releasing dozens of albums and No. 1 hits including "Okie from Muskogee," "Big City" and "Mama Tried."
Haggard rose to prominence as a Country singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist as he helped to create and shape what was knows as the Southern California style 'Bakersfield Sound' of the 1960s.
In 1970, Haggard became the first of only five country stars ever to receive the ACM Triple-Crown Award, an honor bestowed to solo artists who have won top new male/female vocalist, top male/female vocalist and entertainer of the year. He received the Triple-Crown title when he won entertainer of the year in 1970. He was honored at the ACM Awards again in 2014 when he was presented with the Crystal Milestone award.
"Country music has suffered on of the greatest losses it will ever experience," fellow country musician Charlie Daniels shared via hiw twitter account. "Rest in peace, Merle."
No details are currently available regarding services.
