Table of Contents
Who Was Merle Haggard?
Merle Haggard, an iconic figure in country music, was born on April 6, 1937, near Bakersfield, California. His journey from a troubled youth, who spent time in San Quentin prison, to becoming a country music legend is a testament to his resilience and talent. With an impressive catalog that includes 38 No. 1 hits and over 250 original songs, Haggard remains one of the most recognized and frequently covered artists in the genre.
The Lonesome Fugitive
Growing up in Depression-era California, Haggard was the son of a railroad worker. His family lived in a converted boxcar, navigating the hardships of the time. As a child, he struggled with a respiratory condition that often kept him out of school. The loss of his father in 1945 due to a stroke further exacerbated the challenges he faced, leaving his mother to seek employment while he was placed in the care of relatives. Left to his own devices, Haggard developed into a rebellious teenager, amassing a criminal record that included offenses such as truancy, passing bad checks, and grand theft auto.
Despite these difficulties, Haggard discovered his musical talent, influenced by his father’s background as a fiddle player and guitarist. He taught himself to play the guitar, and while his juvenile delinquency frequently landed him in reform schools and county jails, he found solace in music. During his time out of custody, he worked in the oil fields by day and pursued his passion for music by playing in local bars and clubs at night.
Branded
In 1958, at the age of 20, Haggard was convicted of burglary and attempted escape, leading to a 2½-year sentence at San Quentin prison. During his incarceration, he joined the prison’s country band and completed high school equivalency courses. He was also present for Johnny Cash’s legendary performance at the prison in 1959. Haggard’s life took a transformative turn when he was pardoned in 1972 by then-California Governor Ronald Reagan.
Following his release in 1960, Haggard returned to Bakersfield, where he began performing in the honky-tonks of “Beer Can Hill.” This area became a hub for the city’s burgeoning country music scene, characterized by a rawer sound that contrasted sharply with the more polished and commercial style emerging from Nashville.
Swinging Doors
After establishing a loyal local following in his hometown, Merle Haggard made his way to Las Vegas, where he began his career as a bassist for Wynn Stewart. In 1962, he signed with the small label Tally Records, recording five songs, including his debut single “Sing a Sad Song,” which climbed to No. 19 on the country charts. By 1965, Haggard had formed his own backing band, the Strangers, and signed with Capitol Records. Later that year, they released their self-titled debut album. The band’s subsequent album, Swinging Doors, reached No. 1 on the country charts the following year, and in 1967, their single “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive” achieved the same success. Haggard further solidified his position in the industry with “Branded Man,” his first self-penned No. 1 hit.
Throughout the late 1960s, Haggard released a succession of No. 1 singles, culminating in his iconic and controversial recording, “Okie from Muskogee.” Released in 1969, the song resonated with middle Americans whose patriotism and traditional values felt under siege from the protests surrounding the Vietnam War and the counterculture movement. “Okie from Muskogee” crossed over to the pop charts and earned Haggard the Country Music Association’s Awards for Single, Entertainer, and Top Male Vocalist of the Year in 1970. The album of the same name also garnered the Album of the Year award.
A Working Man
Since then, Haggard has released nearly 70 albums and over 600 songs, with approximately 250 of those being original compositions. Among his most notable albums are The Fightin’ Side of Me (1970), Someday We’ll Look Back (1971), If We Make It Through December (1974), and A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today (1977). In 1982, he collaborated with George Jones on the duet album A Taste of Yesterday’s Wine, which produced the chart-topping hits “Yesterday’s Wine” and “C.C. Waterback.” The following year, he joined forces with Willie Nelson to create the acclaimed compilation Pancho & Lefty, featuring memorable tracks like “It’s My Lazy Day,” “Half a Man,” “Reasons to Quit,” and “All the Soft Places to Fall.”
In recognition of his contributions to music, Haggard was inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 1977 and into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994, following an impressive career marked by 38 No. 1 hits. Although his musical output slowed in later years, he continued to release successful albums, including If I Could Fly (2000), Haggard Like Never Before (2003), and the 2015 reunion album with Willie Nelson, Django & Jimmie, which once again topped the country charts.
Hopes Are High
In 2008, Haggard faced a significant health challenge when he was diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent surgery to remove a tumor. He described this experience as “the greatest test of my fortitude.” After a swift recovery, Haggard returned to touring and songwriting, inspired by President Barack Obama to create the song “Hopes Are High.” While Haggard did not vote for Obama, the song encapsulated the optimism his campaign inspired.
Haggard’s personal life included two marriages: first to Leona Hobbs from 1956 to 1964 and then to Bonnie Owens, the ex-wife of fellow country singer Buck Owens, from 1965 to 1978. He later married backup singer Leona Williams and Debbie Parrett, but both marriages ended in divorce. At the time of his passing, Haggard was married to Theresa Lane, whom he wed in 1993. He had four children with Hobbs and two with Lane.
Sing Me Back Home
Merle Haggard passed away at home on his Northern California ranch on April 6, 2016, coincidentally his 79th birthday. After enduring 11 difficult days of illness, he reportedly told friends and family he believed he would die on his birthday. He had been suffering from double pneumonia, which forced him to cancel a series of scheduled concerts with Willie Nelson.
In the wake of Haggard’s death, tributes poured in from across the music industry and beyond, with a diverse array of admirers, including Larry King, Michael Moore, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, expressing their condolences on social media. His friend and longtime collaborator Willie Nelson shared a poignant message, posting a photo of the two together with the simple statement: “He was my brother, my friend. I will miss him.”