Country music legend Merle Haggard dies at age 79

Country music legend Merle Haggard has died at age 79.

He died on his birthday.

Haggard had been in ill health recently and had to cancel concert dates while he battled pneumonia.

The Bakersfield Californian confirmed the news.

Explore>>Willie Nelson reacts to Merle Haggard's death

Fans took to social media to remember Haggard, who was known as the "poet of the common man" because of his dedication to writing songs for and about the working class.

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