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Merle Haggard: In Memoriam

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Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard, a country singer-songwriter best known as “the poet of the common man” and for his role in the outlaw country movement, died of complications from pneumonia on Wednesday, April 6, on his 79th birthday.

Haggard was one of the most important country artists to emerge in the 1960s, popular for his singing style and honest lyrics that often pushed the boundaries. From the ‘60s to ‘80s, Haggard released 71 Top 10 country hits, including “Workin’ Man Blues” and the No. 1 Billboard country chart hit “If We Make It Through December.”

Born in a small town near Bakersfield, California, where his parents had moved from Dust Bowl-battered Oklahoma, Haggard was an adventurer and a bit of an outlaw from an early age.

youngmerleIn one of the outtakes from American Masters — Merle Haggard: Learning to Live With Myself, childhood friends recalled a rebellious but popular and free-spirited Haggard, who often skipped school to play the guitar and sing.

Even through his juvenile delinquency and incarcerations, he was hailed as a leader and an adventurer who exuded creativity and confidence.

“I’m living proof that things go wrong in America and I’m also living proof that things can go right,” Merle Haggard said in the documentary.

Haggard actually lived the rambling, gambling, love ‘em and leave ‘em life that remained the bedrock of his lyrics. He always wrote and sang whatever he felt, and he was notorious for stubbornness and unpredictability – he walked off from popular TV shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and missed his gig to honor Bob Dylan at The Kennedy Center.

“Merle was constitutionally incapable of doing anything but exactly what he wants to do in the way he wants to do it,” said Jason Fine, the managing editor of Rolling Stone, in the outtake from the documentary. “That’s been a great thing for him, in the sense that he’s maintained this independence and this integrity, but it’s also been trouble. But he admits that he’s shot himself in the foot on his own terms and he could feel the pain, but he knows where he stands.”

In this outtake from American Masters — Merle Haggard: Learning to Live With Myself, The Strangers band members talk about Haggard’s unique and carefree performance style that always kept everyone on their toes.

Haggard did not stop singing and performing until the end of his life. In 2008, he survived lung cancer and hopped back onto the stage to continue performing. In 2014, he performed at the Grammy Awards with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Blake Shelton.

Following the news of his death, his family, country musicians and fans posted tributes on social media.

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