Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard | |
|---|---|
Haggard performing live in 1971 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Merle Ronald Haggard |
| Born | April 6, 1937 Oildale, California, U.S. |
| Died | April 6, 2016 (aged 79) Palo Cedro, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, musician |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1961–2016 |
| Labels | |
| Formerly of | The Strangers |
| Spouses | Leona Hobbs
(m. 1956; div. 1964)Debbie Parret
(m. 1985; div. 1991)Theresa Ann Lane (m. 1993) |
| Children | 6, including Marty and Noel Haggard |
| Website | merlehaggard |
Merle Ronald Haggard (April 6, 1937 – April 6, 2016) was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential figures in country music, he was a central pioneer of the Bakersfield sound. With a career spanning over five decades, Haggard had 38 number-one hits on the US country charts, several of which also made the Billboard all-genre singles chart.
Haggard overcame a troubled childhood, criminal convictions and time in prison to launch a successful country music career. He gained popularity with his songs about the working class; these occasionally contained themes contrary to the anti–Vietnam War sentiment of some popular music of the time.
Haggard received many honors and awards, including a Kennedy Center Honor (2010); a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2006); a BMI Icon Award (2006); and induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1977); Country Music Hall of Fame (1994) and Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame (1997). He died of pneumonia on April 6, 2016—his 79th birthday—at his ranch in Shasta County, California.