Country music legend Merle Haggard dies on 79th birthday

With a heavy heart I bid a respectful farewell to a country music legend.

As for me, I think I'll just stay here and drink.

Rest in peace, Merle Haggard

(CNN) Country music legend Merle Haggard, best known for such patriotic hits as "Okie From Muskogee" and "The Fightin' Side of Me," died Wednesday, his birthday, at his home in Northern California. He was 79.

Haggard died of complications from pneumonia, his agent Lance Roberts told CNN.

CNN

a reply to: N3k9Ni

RIP Merle.

A true country music outlaw. I'll take a lil Haggard with my Cash.

Huge loss. RIP

I'm not a country fan per se, but I did like his style and sound, R.I.P. Merle, he will be missed.

I knew something was up when he couldn't make it out on the road with Willie...
He had been trying to kick that pneumonia for a while.
He lived a long interesting life and left a lasting impact with his works that will stay with us. RIP.

Merle is gone. Johnny it's gone. Waylon is gone. George and Conway are gone.

All that are left are Willie and Kris. When they go, then the end comes.

A truly great artist that lived what he wrote..

RIP

From an era when country was actually country.

And good.

RIP.

originally posted by: incoserv
Merle is gone. Johnny it's gone. Waylon is gone. George and Conway are gone.

All that are left are Willie and Kris. When they go, then the end comes.

Willie looked really old when I saw him about 10 years ago, but he still played and sang quite well.
I don't like what country music has become.

a reply to: N3k9Ni
So Sad, a legend. Here is one of my fav's.

We are losing all the greats. This says it best I think...

"Take the midnight plane to Florida, just like we used to do....if we're not back in love by Monday... RIP Merle, you are on the soundtrack of my life.

a reply to:
Rip Merle. I love old country music, and he was part of it. Okie from Muskogee......is one of my favorites.

Very sad news. RIP Merle, definitely lost a country music legend today

I saw Him, Conway Twitty, and George Jones perform over 20 years ago. They all did good!

a reply to: N3k9Ni
why is this on this site. it is not a secret. Come up with a theory that aliens killed him at least

People used to, and still occasionally do ask me, "do you like country music?? Do I like modern country? Hell no. I can't stand that pop music with a fiddle garbage.

But COUNTRY..... I love it. When it was good, pure and in a lot of ways kind of anarchist in its language and nature. To me, that's country. Being who you want to be. Being what you want to be , no effs given.

Merle is someone I associate that country with. It's sad that he's gone, but he's left a wonderful legacy that will exist in our musical mind's for decades, hopefully centuries from now. I thank you Merle, hopefully we can jam in the after-whatever together.

"It makes my wife mad, you know, she wants me to stay home all the time. But its what I've done all my life and I think when I quit doing it I'll probably go away pretty quick."
-Merle

Do what you love, folks. And never stop doing it. As did Merle until he was physically incapable; we will live long, fulfilling lives if we can stick to that philosophy...

Country music has always been a big part of my life. I grew up on horses. It was just background music in my life at first, but I fell in love with it. Haggard was a big influence on the greats I love. You may not like his songs, you may not like country, but he's a legend.

I love country. Especially 90's country. The greats were influenced by Haggard.

Went on a long drive last Sunday and we listened to country the entire way. I love country. You're not classy if you've never kicked Sh##. The best horse people don't balk at mucking crap, and they sing along to Garth and don't wince when their Ariats get dirty.