Country music legend dies at 79

ayodele johnson

April 6, 2016 9:35 PM

The singer died of Pneumonia.

American country music legend, Merle Haggard, has died 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.

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 the BBC 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."

Rolling Stone noted that Haggard has served three years in prison.

READ: Veteran actor dies at 83

Former US President, Ronald Reagan, expunged his criminal record in 1972.

See a music video of Haggard below.

ayodele johnson