Singer Merle Haggard, 79, RIP

Merle Haggard has died after a series of recent health struggles. The legendary singer passed away earlier today, which was also his 79th birthday. Haggard canceled tour dates in December of 2015 after he checked into a hospital and learned he had double pneumonia. In an interview later with Willie’s Roadhouse on Sirius XM, he said he was “nearly dead” when he was hospitalized for two weeks. He canceled shows scheduled for Jan. 30 and 31 after his double pneumonia returned. At the end of March, he announced he was cancelling all of his scheduled shows for April on doctor’s orders/ Taste of Country . More here.