Merle Haggard Dies at 79: Country Stars React
Many country stars have been taking to social media to pay their respects to the late, great singer.
The country music world is hanging its hat following the devastating announcement that Merle Haggard had passed away.
According to his manager, the legendary singer passed away this morning in California on his 79th birthday. He had recently been struggling with bouts on pneumonia and had canceled several dates on his tour.
Many country stars have been taking to social media to pay their respects to the late, great singer.
See some of their reactions and memories below…
https://t.co/U5K6E3CpSe pic.twitter.com/wcvEZbCBFP
— Willie Nelson (@willienelson) April 6, 2016
Country music has suffered one of the greatest losses it will ever experience Rest in peace Merle Haggard
— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) April 6, 2016
literally just fell to the floor. can't believe we lost the hag. rip merle haggard
— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) April 6, 2016
Love and prayers for the Haggard family. Merle was a pioneer…a true entertainer…a legend. There will never be another like him.
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) April 6, 2016
This is a video of Vince from a few years back…Rest in Peace @merlehaggard, you will be missed by everyone https://t.co/RhVtkzmsRg
— Vince Gill (@VGcom) April 6, 2016
A true hero was lost today. Thank you for your contribution to not only country music but all music. @merlehaggard
— Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) April 6, 2016
The greatest singer songwriter of my lifetime is gone. Thanks for the music and friendship. R.I.P. Hag – T pic.twitter.com/TJB7hqoJle
— Toby Keith (@TobyKeithMusic) April 6, 2016
extremely sad to hear of the passing of one of the greatest of all time Mr. Merle Haggard… https://t.co/hmAlAdA8pl pic.twitter.com/s9VhxkXz57
— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) April 6, 2016
I just told my little girl @merlehaggard has passed away and gone to heaven. She said, "that's okay daddy,We will get to go to heaven too.
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) April 6, 2016
Hard to believe the news about Merle Haggard. Working with him is something I'll never forget & will cherish forever pic.twitter.com/XsgqYvbtD5
— Dustin Lynch (@dustinlynch) April 6, 2016
So sad to hear about the passing of Merle Haggard. My thoughts and Prayers are with his family and country music fans. #RIPMerleHaggard
— Cole Swindell (@coleswindell) April 6, 2016
Greatest county music singer of all time has left for the BIG STAGE:)…Sing Me Back Home…love you…my fav forever
— Clay Walker (@ClayWalker) April 6, 2016
We lost one of the best today. Rest in peace Merle Haggard…. You will be missed pic.twitter.com/672bX7VSEy
— Tyler Farr (@tylerfarr) April 6, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers with @merlehaggard's family. Thankful for all he did for country music. #legend pic.twitter.com/BVTADpPiRp
— Florida Georgia Line (@FLAGALine) April 6, 2016
There are no words to describe the loss & sorrow felt within all of music with the passing of Merle Haggard. Thank God for his life & songs.
— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) April 6, 2016
Rest in peace. https://t.co/npaDMJMQVz
— Eric Church (@ericchurch) April 6, 2016
It felt like the world stopped for a moment when I heard about Merle Haggard…such an icon…thanks for your gift to all of us brother
— Brett Eldredge (@bretteldredge) April 6, 2016
"Mighty" Merle Haggard was the greatest country songwriter of ALL TIME. We shared many great memories, and I will miss him. #merlehaggard
— John Rich (@johnrich) April 6, 2016
RIP Merle…you paved the way for so many. You had what we all hope for…a voice that matters and survives the ever changing trends.
— Kip Moore (@KipMooreMusic) April 6, 2016
I think I'll just stay here and drink. 💔
— KACEY MUSGRAVES (@KaceyMusgraves) April 6, 2016
Our hearts are heavy w the sad news of Merle's passing.Thanks for your lifelong contribution 2 country music. Your influence is astronomical
— EliYoungBand (@EliYoungBand) April 6, 2016
We lost a legend today…. A true inspiration to all of us…. Our prayers are with his entire family…. RIP Merle. pic.twitter.com/SnFseLU2Dk
— Brantley Gilbert (@BrantleyGilbert) April 6, 2016
Saddened by the loss of Merle. We lost a bad ass man, a great poet! I love you Merle. Prayers for his family. R.I.P. #MerleHaggard
— LeAnn Rimes Cibrian (@leannrimes) April 6, 2016
No one could steer me right but Mama tried…
RIP Merle.— Chase Rice (@ChaseRiceMusic) April 6, 2016
The world will not be the same without @merlehaggard in it. Voice of reason, good man, true American artist. An original. RIP #MerleHaggard
— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) April 6, 2016
Unbelievably sad to hear of Merle Haggard's passing. What a mark he left on country music. Forever grateful for that. ❤️
— Cassadee Pope (@CassadeePope) April 6, 2016
There will never be another artist like the Hag… Rest In Peace Merle Haggard
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) April 6, 2016
You are a cornerstone of country music @merlehaggard…u will be missed greatly. Praying for the Haggard family. 💔
— Hillary Scott (@HillaryScottLA) April 6, 2016
Thank you @merlehaggard for the gift of your great music. Thank you God for the gift of the great Merle Haggard. RIP pic.twitter.com/bq2T9Bzise
— Charles Esten (@CharlesEsten) April 6, 2016
Rest in peace, Hag. One of a kind, and the definition of legend. pic.twitter.com/aUGX22Avna
— Trisha Yearwood (@trishayearwood) April 6, 2016
His voice was a country song. Rest in peace Merle! Join me in praying for his family! #RIP #TheHag
— Lee Greenwood (@TheLeeGreenwood) April 6, 2016
RIP Merle.
— David Nail (@davidnail) April 6, 2016
Just heard the news. I'm so so sad. I don't even know what else to say….
— Martina McBride (@martinamcbride) April 6, 2016
Today is one of the saddest days in our lives. The world will miss Merle but his music will truly live forever. pic.twitter.com/e9MZfFDmmR
— thompson square (@thompsonsquare) April 6, 2016
Nobody ever sang a song with the heart and emotion that @merlehaggard did. No wonder it's raining today. Even God is crying.
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) April 6, 2016
rip @merlehaggard thank you for all the great music u blessed us with. we will play it forever
— Billy Currington (@billycurrington) April 6, 2016
His are the footsteps we follow in. Rest easy, Merle. #MerleHaggard pic.twitter.com/nxuW8mcfy3
— The Band Perry (@thebandperry) April 6, 2016
Sad day for country music! Merle Haggard is the greatest of all time…period! RIP Merle pic.twitter.com/A3KK0n5qwP
— Craig Campbell (@craigcampbelltv) April 6, 2016
Sending you love, my friend.@BenHaggardMusic
— Chely Wright (@chelywright) April 6, 2016
Man, the world lost a true country music artist today. Prayers to Merle Haggard's family and may he RIP. So sad. pic.twitter.com/tCIlSwZ0sN
— Julie Roberts (@TheJulieRoberts) April 6, 2016
You're flying now. #MerleHaggard https://t.co/n0Oz9Mlueh
— Joe Nichols (@JoeNichols) April 6, 2016
Merle Haggard was the best of them all. https://t.co/CvIetIue6p
— Charlie Worsham (@charlieworsham) April 6, 2016
Merle Haggard is the reason I do what I do. I can’t believe he’s gone. pic.twitter.com/RdzbvtWwLg
— Josh Thompson (@TheJoshThompson) April 6, 2016
Songs that changed how we sing country music… We were lucky to have you 79 years on this earth. RIP @merlehaggard
— Lindsay Ell (@lindsayell) April 6, 2016
A birthday to be cherished in heaven. @merlehaggard and @gjpossum are kicking out the footlights again. RIP Merle.
— George Jones (@gjpossum) April 6, 2016
#rip Merle Haggard. One of the original outlaws of Country. A rebel spirit who lived the life he… https://t.co/eVZP4uWF8a
— Blackjack Billy (@Blackjack_Billy) April 6, 2016
Sad news. Thoughts are with all his family, friends and countless fans.
— Dallas Smith (@dallassmith) April 6, 2016
There's just nothing u can say LOVE U MERLE!! Just open the bottle sit it on the bar and turn up the Hagg
— Eddie Montgomery (@LuckymanEddie) April 6, 2016
Mannn. Haggard 😔Never shook his hand, but always wanted to so I could thank him for bein an influence. What a legend pic.twitter.com/qe7p8dKxy4
— Kree Harrison (@kreeharrison) April 6, 2016
The big city finally turned him loose…and set him free. God bless your soul Merle, thank for the music🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/UYSlZ3wRdX
— Frankie Ballard (@FrankieBallard) April 6, 2016
Another legend lost. Playing "Misery & Gin" in your honor, Merle. pic.twitter.com/Z5MAT0S7XB
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) April 6, 2016
My heart is absolutely broken in two at the news of the loss of Merle Haggard. We keep losing all of the good ones. What a sad, sad day…
— Jay DeMarcus (@JayDeMarcus) April 6, 2016
Today music lost one of the greatest @merlehaggardofficial His impact will be felt around the globe forever #Only1Hag #RIP #SingMeBackHome
— bryan_white (@bryan_white) April 6, 2016
If your'e running down my country man, you're walkin on the fightin side of me.#Merle
— Kelleigh Bannen (@kelleighbannen) April 6, 2016
He finally has his silver wings.
— Granger Smith (@GrangerSmith) April 6, 2016
We lost the best singer, songwriter, & story teller today! Thanks for inspiring are lives and music! Long live The Hagg! #GOAT
— Tate Stevens (@tatestevensctry) April 6, 2016
Merle Haggard sang & wrote the very 1st songs that ALABAMA played in public, "Sing Me Back Home" & "Silver Wings" To the group ALABAMA…
— ALABAMA (@TheAlabamaBand) April 6, 2016
R.I.P. @merlehaggard #theydontmakeemlikethatanymore pic.twitter.com/vfSOzRK6QA
— Kristen Kelly (@KristenKelly) April 6, 2016
Sad day for country music. We just lost one of the greatest of all time. Rest easy Merle Haggard
— Jordan Rager (@Jordan_Rager) April 6, 2016
We lost a legend today… One that will never be forgotten… #RIPmerlehaggard pic.twitter.com/VVYX5AafKt
— Morgan Myles (@MorganMylesLIVE) April 6, 2016
Sang this song two years ago. Seems fitting today. #RIPMerle #SilverWings https://t.co/MFRSsIVKGO
— Maggie Rose (@IAmMaggieRose) April 6, 2016
Sad day for country music #MerleHaggard #restinpeace
— Janelle Arthur (@JanelleOArthur) April 6, 2016
That's a sorry piece of news.
I wanted 2 b a singer bcause Haggard was! I was scared 2 b a singer bcause Merle was! https://t.co/NrA3aQQh91— Jack Ingram (@JackIngram) April 6, 2016
You will always be my hero. This was one of the best days of my life. #RIPMerleHaggard @merlehaggard pic.twitter.com/QFfNmkmnF9
— Randy Rogers Band (@rrbchoir) April 6, 2016
"Yes, they'll all come to see me in the shade of that old oak tree
As they lay me neath the… https://t.co/FseSb3oiWF— The Henningsens (@TheHenningsens) April 6, 2016
I am dumbfounded by the news of his passing. Merle Haggard was probably my greatest musical influence and my hero! pic.twitter.com/1WMs90Mx7i
— Darryl Worley (@darrylworley) April 6, 2016
I'm so incredibly sad to hear about the passing of Merle Haggard. Rest in peace, sir. Thank you for blazing a path and inspiring all of us.
— Meghan Linsey (@meghanlinsey) April 6, 2016
We've lost more than a legend, we've lost an icon. Gonna miss you @merlehaggard pic.twitter.com/XctDnJM2sI
— Neal McCoy (@NealMcCoy) April 6, 2016
I'm very sad to hear of the passing of legend Merle Haggard today. You paved the way for #country music. pic.twitter.com/5ViEIM3lOp
— Sarah Darling (@_SarahDarling) April 6, 2016