The inevitable end, death has claimed the life of American country music legend, Merle Haggard at the age of 79.
His manager confirmed the news stating that he died of Pneumonia.
In 2008, Haggard was said to have been battling with Lung Cancer, and has had to cancel his April concerts due to the illness.
Meanwhile, a lot of eulogies have poured out in honour of the singer.
Rolling Stone Magazine described him as “the backbone of one of the greatest repertoires an all of American music, plain-spoken songs populated by the kinds of working people Haggard grew up with: farmers, hobos, convicts, widows, musicians and drunks”.
His publicist, Jim Della Croce told newsmen that the singer was as influential as The Beatles in country music.
“He was the bottom line in country music and the gold standard to which every country artist measured himself,”
“He was a nice guy with a great sense of humour. He was a very literate man.”
Merle Haggard, Ronald Reagan play