Merle Haggard 1937-2016
 

I know there are not a lot of Country Music fans on this forum but Merle Haggard was a legend within that genre. He passed away today from complications related to pneumonia. Today was also his birthday, he was 79 years old. One of the song he wrote has a very special meaning to me. I wont youtube a video but instead, list the lyrics. He was, and still is, a legend...Rest in Peace

"My Favorite Memory"

The first time we met
Is a favorite memory of mine
They say time changes all it pertains to
But your memory is stronger than time

I guess, everything does change
Except what you choose to recall
There's a million good daydreams to dream on
But baby, you are my favorite memory of all

Like the night we made love in the hallway
Slept all night long on the floor
Like the winter we spent on Lake Shasta alone
Closer than ever before

And I remember than London vacation
It was you, made the whole thing a ball
There's a million good times I could dwell on
But baby, you are my favorite memory of all

The first time we met
Is a favorite memory of mine
They say time changes all it pertains to
But your memory is stronger than time

I guess, everything does change
Except what you choose to recall
There's a million good daydreams to dream on
But baby, you are my favorite memory of all

RIP Merle, thanks for all the great songs...Died on his birthday.

Thanks, casp.

Beloved singer songwriter musician. His life story could be movie material. I read that his son said that Merle told his family a week ago that he would pass on his birthday.

"Hard times, truth and inspiration"
(2004)
http://articles.latimes.com/2004/jun...t/ca-hilburn20

Are the Good Times Really Over
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFHJ41ktt3Q

Kern River
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OGKVfHUwW4

RIP Merle.

Silver wings shining in the sunlight
Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight
They're taking you away and leaving me lonely
Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

What a soulful and interesting guy he was. A lot of country singers are self-styed outlaws. Merle was the real thing. His bio says he spent 3 years in San Quentin for a botched robbery. I'm glad he found a more acceptable way to make a living. Thanks, Merle for Momma Tried, Okie from Muskogie and many more.

Had the privilege of seeing Merle and Willie at bostons Orpheum with 2760 lucky souls , took my mom , who used to sing Merle songs to us . She passed on her 79 the birthday too last year . Thanks Merle and ma . RIP

I saw him in 1987 at Wolftrap Farm Park in Vienna VA. The tour, at that time was sponsored by George Dickel bourbon. He came out on stage with his typical gruff scowl and played the full set without any interaction between songs until he introduced the band.
The only time he spoke to the crowd at all was after the last song and before the encore - which was all of one line:

"Thanks for coming out, don't drink and drive, but if you have to for chrissakes drink George Dickel"

Classic Haggard. RIP