Country music star predicted his death to the day
Country music legend Merle Haggard predicted his own death just one week before he passed away on his 79th birthday.
Following his father’s death of double pneumonia on Thursday (AEDT), Haggard’s 22-year-old son Ben took to Facebook to pay tribute to his father.
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“A week ago dad told us he was gonna pass on his birthday, and he wasn’t wrong,” Ben revealed.
“A hour ago he took his last breath surrounded by family and friends. He loved everything about life and he loved that everyone of you gave him a chance with his music.
“He wasn’t just a country singer.. He was the best country singer that ever lived.”
Haggard, who won multiple Grammys and Country Music Awards, was diagnosed with double pneumonia last year and passed away after a lengthy battle with the illness at his home near Redding, California, TMZ reported.
A week ago dad told us he was gonna pass on his birthday, and he wasn’t wrong. A hour ago he took his last breath…
Posted by Ben Haggard on Wednesday, April 6, 2016
The country music industry instantly began reacting to the news, paying tribute to the former petty criminal who turned his life around with music after a troubled childhood and a stint in prison.
“We’ve lost one of the greatest writers and singers of all time,” Dolly Parton said in a statement.
“His heart was as tender as his love ballads. I loved him like a brother. Rest easy, Merle.”
See Haggard perform his hit ‘Sing Me Back Home’ below.
