Merle Haggard Predicted He Would Die on His Birthday, Son Says

Country music legend and Oildale native, Merle Haggard has passed away yesterday, which also happened to be his 79th birthday. Haggard has died after a brief struggle with pneumonia. The singer will always be remembered as one of the pioneers of the Bakersfield sound. Haggard was also involved in the Outlaw Country movement.
Merle's son Ben Haggard has revealed over Facebook that Merle knew he would die on his birthday. He writes: "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."
"He loved everything about life, and he loved that every one of you gave him a chance with his music," Ben Haggard continues. "He wasn't just a country singer ... He was the best country singer that ever lived."
With his sweet words, Haggard also shared a black-and-white photo of himself and his father holding hands.
Ben Haggard is Merle Haggard's youngest son. His mother is Theresa Ann Lane, Haggard's fifth (and last) wife. Together, Haggard and Lane also had a daughter, Janessa.
Haggard has had more than 100 country chart singles, 38 No. 1 hits and close to 70 albums. He was able to play for President Nixon in 1973 and later performed for the Reagans. He has more than 600 songs under his belt, and Haggard wrote around 250 himself. Fans are especially fond of albums The Fightin' Side of Me (1970), Someday We'll Look Back (1971), If We Make It Through December (1974) and A Working Man Can't Get Nowhere Today (1977).
In his career, Haggard has won Entertainer of the Year, Grammy Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, the Crystal Milestone Award and countless others.
Tags : merle haggard merle haggard news merle haggard death merle haggard health merle haggard latest ben haggard
Hot Trends
-
12th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards: The Winners & How You Can Watch It
-
Here Are the Winners of the 2024 K-LOVE Fan Awards
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
R&B Superstar Brandy Goes Gospel with the Walls Group (Videos)
-
Phil Wickham's Son Graduates from Kindergarten & Receives the "Most Curious About Jesus" Award
-
Celebrating Valentine's Day: Story Behind Steve Curtis Chapman's "I Will Be Here"
-
Francis Chan Reveals His Reasons Why He Left His Megachurch
-
Megan Woods Announces New Single “I Believe You” Set to Release on June 6
-
Story Behind Chris Tomlin's New Song "Is He Worthy?"
-
Ben Fuller Invites Carrie Underwood to Join Him On Stage for Live Duet Debut at The Grand Ole Opry
-
Brandon Lake Sparks Conversation on “Christianese” in Worship: Calls for Greater Accessibility in Music
-
Lysa TerKeurst Remarries Two Years After Divorce
-
Jonathan Chu Leaves Skillet
-
NBA Star Jonathan Isaac Unveils Newest Shoe: "The Judah 1 Low"
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
Most Popular
-
12th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards: The Winners & How You Can Watch It
-
Here Are the Winners of the 2024 K-LOVE Fan Awards
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
R&B Superstar Brandy Goes Gospel with the Walls Group (Videos)
-
Phil Wickham's Son Graduates from Kindergarten & Receives the "Most Curious About Jesus" Award
-
Celebrating Valentine's Day: Story Behind Steve Curtis Chapman's "I Will Be Here"
-
Francis Chan Reveals His Reasons Why He Left His Megachurch
-
Megan Woods Announces New Single “I Believe You” Set to Release on June 6
-
Story Behind Chris Tomlin's New Song "Is He Worthy?"
-
Ben Fuller Invites Carrie Underwood to Join Him On Stage for Live Duet Debut at The Grand Ole Opry
-
Brandon Lake Sparks Conversation on “Christianese” in Worship: Calls for Greater Accessibility in Music
-
Lysa TerKeurst Remarries Two Years After Divorce
-
Jonathan Chu Leaves Skillet
-
NBA Star Jonathan Isaac Unveils Newest Shoe: "The Judah 1 Low"
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"