About Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard

@Marcyaz (35316)

United States

May 11, 2016 9:05am CST

He was 79 when he passed away. Merle's life began during the Dust Bowl years when Oklahoma was covered with nothing but dirt during the Great Depression. His parents along with many others moved to California to find a better life. They then lived in a renovated railroad car. Merle's father passed away due to all the stress when Merle was nine years old. When Merle was a teenager and without a father his mother was so busy just trying to keep them in food and shelter that he got into lots of trouble. He was sent to reform school, jail and then San Quentin prison while there he saw one of his cellmates walk to his execution and he said that is not for me. He received a pardon from Ronald Regan. His songs express some of his early years, Mamas Hungry Eyes, Branded Man and The Fightin Side of Me.

15 people like this

12 responses

@TiarasOceanView (70020)

• United States

11 May 16

I really liked this man. I believe all the hardship in his life is what makes him great and able to write a good song. RIP.

4 people like this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

11 May 16

@TiarasOceanView Yes his hardships made him the kind of person he finally turned out to be and wrote such wonderful songs. RIP

2 people like this

@gudheart (12659)

•

12 May 16

It did allow him to write some great songs with meanings.

1 person likes this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

12 May 16

@gudheart He did have some really good songs.

@GreatMartin (23670)

• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

12 May 16

I have heard the story that when he was in prison Johnny Cash came and did a show and that was what made Haggard become a professional singer!

2 people like this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

12 May 16

That is as good a story as I have heard.

@BarBaraPrz (51819)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

11 May 16

San Quentin is where the "Okie from Muskokee" met Johnny Cash.

2 people like this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

11 May 16

It sure is San Quentin where they were at.

@DianneN (254926)

• United States

11 May 16

I never knew much about his life, but can see it reflected in his music.

2 people like this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

11 May 16

He had a very interesting life and shows how a person can change.

2 people like this

@JohnRoberts (109841)

• Los Angeles, California

11 May 16

His most famous song was Okie from Muskogee.

2 people like this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

11 May 16

One of his most famous, yes

@Ronrybs (21497)

• London, England

11 May 16

I know the name, but wasn't at all aware of his music or his life

2 people like this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

11 May 16

He was the of the greatest C&W stars and what an interesting life he had and how he turned his life around.

1 person likes this

@Tampa_girl7 (54715)

• United States

12 May 16

I enjoy his music.

1 person likes this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

12 May 16

I also enjoy his music.

@DeborahDiane (40845)

• Laguna Woods, California

12 May 16

I always loved the music of Merle Haggard. It will live on, even though he is now go.

1 person likes this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

12 May 16

His music as you say will live on.

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (323168)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

11 May 16

I didn't know any of that about him. Interesting.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382036)

• Rockingham, Australia

15 May 16

I really enjoy his music. It's good he made the decision to go straight.

1 person likes this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

15 May 16

@JudyEv I love his music and it was a good thing he changed his ways.

1 person likes this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

16 May 16

@JudyEv I had heard that also wonder if it was true.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382036)

• Rockingham, Australia

16 May 16

@Marcyaz I read somewhere he was in San Quentin jail and Johnny Cash gave a concert there.

1 person likes this

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Claudia Kirkland

@CRK109 (14556)

• United States

11 May 16

His life proves that we can get out of our own way when we're determined to do so. :)

1 person likes this

****DANIELLE****

@VivaLaDani13 (60812)

• Perth, Australia

14 Jul 16

@Marcyaz I know OF him but I can't say I know much about him. I don't believe I've heard any of his songs either. I will have to YouTube him.

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

14 Jul 16

@VivaLaDani13 He was a really big name in the Country and Western world.

1 person likes this