Merle Haggard, country music legend has died as the age of 79.

Grammy Award winning Haggard passed away today, Wednesday April 6, which happens to be his birthday, from pneumonia in his home town.

Songs such as “Okie from Muskogee” and “Fightin’ Side of Me” made Haggard an artist that changed country music by returning to it’s roots. His career spanned over five decades as a songwriter, singer, guitarist, fiddler and instrumentalist with 38 No.1 hits and awards. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard help pave the path for the Bakersfield sound, a twangy, guitar driven, hard edged style of country.

The petty crime as a youth, financial insecurity and freight-car hopping all inspired songs that spoke to the a certain group of people. Many artists looked up to Haggard and were inspired by him. He definitely made his mark in the music industry and leaves behind such an empowering story.

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