Country Legend Merle Haggard Died On His 79th Birthday was a top 16 story of April 2016: Country music legend Merle Haggard died on April 7th in California after months of battling with pneumonia. His passing came on the same day as his 79th birthday, which the star predicted to his family.
Haggard's son Ben wrote the following on his official Facebook, "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 everyone of you gave him a chance with his music. He wasn't just a country singer.. He was the best country singer that ever lived.
The Country Music Hall of Fame star enjoyed a long hit-making career including the classics "Okie From Muskogee," and "Today I Started Loving You Again".
Haggard was hospitalized back in December of last year and again last month for his battle with pneumonia. A number of country music stars paid tribute to Haggard. See them here.
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