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Quick Facts
- NAME: Merle Haggard
- OCCUPATION: Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer
- BIRTH DATE: April 06, 1937 (Age: 76)
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Bakersfield, California
- Full Name: Merle Ronald Haggard
- Nickname: "The Hag"
- AKA: Merle Haggard
- ZODIAC SIGN: Aries
Best Known For
Originally a troubled youngster who served time in San Quentin prison, Merle Haggard grew to become a country music legend.
Videos see all videos
Merle Haggard - Criminal Past
Merle Haggard tells the public about his criminal past on Johnny Cash's TV show.
Johnny Cash - The Man in Black
Watch a short video about Johnny Cash and find out the highlights and low lights of the career of this rock, gospel and country legend.
George Jones - Fighting Addiction
George Jones talks about his fight against addiction.
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Play NowMerle Haggard. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 12:48, May 24, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/merle-haggard-9542118.
Merle Haggard. [Internet]. 2013. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/merle-haggard-9542118 [Accessed 24 May 2013].
"Merle Haggard." 2013. The Biography Channel website. May 24 2013, 12:48 http://www.biography.com/people/merle-haggard-9542118.
"Merle Haggard," The Biography Channel website, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/merle-haggard-9542118 [accessed May 24, 2013].
"Merle Haggard," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/merle-haggard-9542118 (accessed May 24, 2013).
Merle Haggard [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2013 [cited 2013 May 24] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/merle-haggard-9542118.
Merle Haggard, http://www.biography.com/people/merle-haggard-9542118 (last visited May 24, 2013).
Merle Haggard. The Biography Channel website. 2013. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/merle-haggard-9542118. Accessed May 24, 2013.
In addition to an impressive title track, Pancho & Lefty featured the touching ballads "It's My Lazy Day," "Half a Man," "Reason To Quit" and "All the Soft Places to Fall."
Haggard was elected to the Songwriters' Hall of Fame in 1977. In 1994, his wealth of artistic achievements, including 38 No. 1 hits, earned him induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Personal Life
In 2008, Haggard was diagnosed with lung cancer. He had surgery to remove the tumor and reflected on the situation as "the greatest test of my fortitude." After a speedy recovery, Haggard toured and wrote songs one of which was inspired by what President Barack Obama called "Hopes Are High," which he wrote two days before the inauguration.
Haggard was married to Leona Hobbs from 1956 to 1965, and to Buck Owens's ex-wife and fellow country singer Bonnie Owens from 1965 to 1975. Two more failed marriages followed—to backup singer Leona Williams and to Debbie Parrett. Haggard is currently married to Theresa Lane, whom he wed in 1993. He has three children from his first marriage to Hobbs and two children with Lane.
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