Country music legend Merle Haggard passed away this Wednesday. It was his birthday and he had just turned 79.
The Associated Press reported that the sad news was confirmed by Haggard’s manager, Frank Mull, who said the singer died of pneumonia.
Reuters noted that in 2008, Haggard had part of his lung removed, as a result of cancer. He had been dealing with other health issues in recent months and, as we previously reported, was forced to postpone some of his shows and cancel several scheduled appearances.
Haggard was born in California in 1937 and sometimes referred to as “the Poet of the Common Man.” He had multiple honky-tonk hits over the years and wrote the theme song for the ‘70s TV series Movin’ On. He also penned the song “Misery and Gin” for Clint Eastwood’s film Bronco Billy.
Some of the Hall of Famer’s other famous tunes include "Okie From Muskogee," "Mama Tried" and "Sing Me Back Home."
He is survived by his six children.