Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard: The Lonesome Fugitive with a Heart of Gold
In the annals of country music, few artists have left an indelible mark like Merle Haggard. With his raw, lonesome voice and poignant lyrics, he chronicled the struggles and triumphs of the American working class, earning him the title of "The Poet of the Common Man."
Early Life and Music Career
Merle Ronald Haggard was born on April 6, 1937, in Oildale, California. His father passed away when he was nine, leaving his mother to raise him and his two siblings in poverty. Haggard's childhood was marred by truancy and petty crime, ultimately landing him in reform school.
In his late teens, Haggard discovered his passion for music. He taught himself to play guitar and began writing songs. In 1960, he moved to Bakersfield, California, where he found success as a singer-songwriter in the burgeoning honky-tonk scene.
Breakthrough and Stardom
Haggard's breakthrough came in 1966 with the release of "Strangers," a song that topped the country charts and established him as a star. Over the next decade, he churned out a string of hit singles, including "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive," "Mama Tried," and "Okie from Muskogee."
Challenges and Controversies
Despite his commercial success, Haggard faced numerous challenges throughout his career. His troubled past and outspoken views on politics and social issues drew both praise and criticism. In 1973, he was arrested for drug possession and spent eight months in prison.
Musical Legacy
Despite his personal struggles, Haggard's musical legacy remained untarnished. His songs, with their honest and often autobiographical lyrics, resonated deeply with audiences around the world. He released over 80 albums, earning him a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.
Members
Over the years, Haggard's band underwent several lineup changes. Some of his most notable long-time members included:
* Roy Nichols: Lead guitar
* Norm Hamlet: Steel guitar
* Biff Cowan: Bass guitar
* George French: Drums
Later Years and Death
In his later years, Haggard continued to perform and record, albeit at a slower pace. He also became an advocate for prison reform, working to improve conditions for inmates. Merle Haggard passed away on April 6, 2016, at the age of 79, from pneumonia.
Discography
* Strangers (1966)
* I'm a Lonesome Fugitive (1967)
* Mama Tried (1968)
* Okie from Muskogee (1969)
* Fighting Side of Me (1970)
* If We Make It Through December (1973)
* A Working Man Can't Get Nowhere Today (1975)
* Back to the Country (1980)
* Heart Break Express (1982)
* Big City (1986)
In the annals of country music, few artists have left an indelible mark like Merle Haggard. With his raw, lonesome voice and poignant lyrics, he chronicled the struggles and triumphs of the American working class, earning him the title of "The Poet of the Common Man."
Early Life and Music Career
Merle Ronald Haggard was born on April 6, 1937, in Oildale, California. His father passed away when he was nine, leaving his mother to raise him and his two siblings in poverty. Haggard's childhood was marred by truancy and petty crime, ultimately landing him in reform school.
In his late teens, Haggard discovered his passion for music. He taught himself to play guitar and began writing songs. In 1960, he moved to Bakersfield, California, where he found success as a singer-songwriter in the burgeoning honky-tonk scene.
Breakthrough and Stardom
Haggard's breakthrough came in 1966 with the release of "Strangers," a song that topped the country charts and established him as a star. Over the next decade, he churned out a string of hit singles, including "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive," "Mama Tried," and "Okie from Muskogee."
Challenges and Controversies
Despite his commercial success, Haggard faced numerous challenges throughout his career. His troubled past and outspoken views on politics and social issues drew both praise and criticism. In 1973, he was arrested for drug possession and spent eight months in prison.
Musical Legacy
Despite his personal struggles, Haggard's musical legacy remained untarnished. His songs, with their honest and often autobiographical lyrics, resonated deeply with audiences around the world. He released over 80 albums, earning him a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.
Members
Over the years, Haggard's band underwent several lineup changes. Some of his most notable long-time members included:
* Roy Nichols: Lead guitar
* Norm Hamlet: Steel guitar
* Biff Cowan: Bass guitar
* George French: Drums
Later Years and Death
In his later years, Haggard continued to perform and record, albeit at a slower pace. He also became an advocate for prison reform, working to improve conditions for inmates. Merle Haggard passed away on April 6, 2016, at the age of 79, from pneumonia.
Discography
* Strangers (1966)
* I'm a Lonesome Fugitive (1967)
* Mama Tried (1968)
* Okie from Muskogee (1969)
* Fighting Side of Me (1970)
* If We Make It Through December (1973)
* A Working Man Can't Get Nowhere Today (1975)
* Back to the Country (1980)
* Heart Break Express (1982)
* Big City (1986)