Merle Haggard

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Born:
April 6, 1937, he's 75 and American.
Birthname:
Merle Ronald Haggard.
Snapshot:
An Artist with 272 releases, a member of 1 group, and credited 7 times on others' music. 19 collaborations and 2 musical relatives.

Biography

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Merle Haggard built on Buck Owens's bright, chiming, edgy Bakersfield honky-tonk, but Hag's music took on darker themes and deeper issues. Having spent his early years in and out of prison (where he saw Johnny Cash perform), he turned his life around and went on to find success as a country music singer. His remarkable string of 1960s hits was commercially viable, yet artistically resonant, and it allowed him the opportunity to honour his own musical heroes while becoming a hero for all country artists who followed.

Pictures

Merle Haggard - Photo of Merle Haggard Getty Images

Photo of Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard - Photo of Merle Haggard Getty Images

Photo of Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard - Country Musician Merle Haggard Getty Images

Country Musician Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard - Merle Haggard Performs On Stage Getty Images

Merle Haggard Performs On Stage

Merle Haggard - Haggard Plays Guitar Getty Images

Haggard Plays Guitar

Merle Haggard - Photo of Merle Haggard Getty Images

Photo of Merle Haggard

Music

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Genres

Bakersfield Sound, Country, Honky-Tonk , Traditional Country, Outlaw Country, Singer-Songwriter. Vote on Genres
Collaborations, Groups and Family
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Merle Haggard

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In the News

Merle Haggard

Nov, 11 2008

Legendary country rebel Merle Haggard is recovering after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor from his lung. The 71 year old, who turned his life around after several early stints in prison (during one of which he saw Johnny Cash perform) to become a commercially successful and critically loved singer, had the tumor removed last week in his home town of Bakersfield. It was initially discovered in May but Hag refused treatment until recently, and even felt well enough to tour over the summer. During his long career, Haggard achieved an astonishing 38 No.1 hits on the Country charts, and earned a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2006.

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