A country legend has passed away after a long battle of pneumonia.
Photo Credit: Merle Haggard Facebook
Merle Haggard took his last breathe on Tuesday in Palo Cedro, California, which was also his 79th birthday.
Haggard’s son posted a Facebook status about the passing of his father saying that his dad knew he would die on his birthday.
“A week ago dad told us he was gonna pass on his birthday, and he wasn't wrong. A hour ago he took his last breath surrounded by family and friends.”
Haggard was an American country singer, songwriter, guitarists, fiddler and instrumentalist. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 1997.
Before making his name known in the music industry Haggard experience several run-ins with the law and spent some time in prison.
In 2000 Haggard made waves in the country music scene again when he signed to an independent label and releasing If I Could Only Fly and in 2001 releasing Roots, vol. 1.
A week ago dad told us he was gonna pass on his birthday, and he wasn't wrong. A hour ago he took his last breath…
Posted by Ben Haggard on Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Ben Haggard explained in his Facebook post that his father has been battling pneumonia for the past several months and eventually succumbed to the sickness.
Haggard said that his father was not just a country singer but “he was the best country singer that ever lived.”
