Sad news today as we say goodbye to one of Country Music's most iconic stars, and prolific songwriters. Rumors about his failing health have been circling for weeks - today on his 79th birthday, it has been confirmed that The Hag has died.

Haggard was diagnosed with pneumonia last year, and spent 11 days at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Riverside this year.

According to TasteofCountry.com, "Haggard canceled tour dates in December of 2015 after he checked into a hospital and learned he had double pneumonia. In an interview later with Willie’s Roadhouse on Sirius XM, he said he was “nearly dead” when he was hospitalized for two weeks. He canceled shows scheduled for Jan. 30 and 31 after his double pneumonia returned. At the end of March, he announced he was cancelling all of his scheduled shows for April on doctor’s orders."

He and Willie Nelson released "Django and Jimmie" in 2015.

Haggard reportedly died at home on Wednesday morning, on his 79th birthday. #RIPMerleHaggard.

 

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...

Posted by Ben Haggard on Wednesday, April 6, 2016

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