Merle Haggard: Country Stars Remember the Legend

April 6, 2016 3:05 PM EDT

Country music legend Merle Haggard died after a battle with double pneumonia Wednesday, his birthday. He had just turned 79. The singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist has influenced many country artists thanks to his decades-spanning career and standards like “Okie from Muskogee” and “Fightin’ Side of Me.”

“He was my brother, my friend. I will miss him,” Willie Nelson said in a statement to EW.

Toby Keith wrote, “The greatest singer songwriter of my lifetime is gone. Thanks for the music and friendship. R.I.P. Hag.”

Below, see more tributes from various country musicians and celebrities.

Love and prayers for the Haggard family. Merle was a pioneer...a true entertainer...a legend. There will never be another like him.
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) April 6, 2016

There are no words to describe the loss & sorrow felt within all of music with the passing of Merle Haggard. Thank God for his life & songs.
— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) April 6, 2016

extremely sad to hear of the passing of one of the greatest of all time Mr. Merle Haggard... https://t.co/hmAlAdA8pl pic.twitter.com/s9VhxkXz57
— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) April 6, 2016

The world will not be the same without @merlehaggard in it. Voice of reason, good man, true American artist. An original. RIP #MerleHaggard
— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) April 6, 2016

RIP Merle...you paved the way for so many. You had what we all hope for...a voice that matters and survives the ever changing trends.
— Kip Moore (@KipMooreMusic) April 6, 2016

literally just fell to the floor. can't believe we lost the hag. rip merle haggard
— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) April 6, 2016

Saddened by the loss of Merle. We lost a bad ass man, a great poet! I love you Merle. Prayers for his family. R.I.P. #MerleHaggard
— leann rimes cibrian (@leannrimes) April 6, 2016

Pains me to say that country music icon @merlehaggard has passed away. So honored to have known him and shared the stage with him.
— Josh Turner (@joshturnermusic) April 6, 2016

RIP Merle. Losing a lot of greats this year
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) April 6, 2016

We've lost an American original. RIP Merle Haggard. Today was his birthday too. ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/8erKSIh6SA
— Johnny Knoxville (@realjknoxville) April 6, 2016

RIP Merle Haggard. To All my friends in Sanford Fla we had many memories with Hag on in the background. Tonight play silver wings in salute
— Larry The Cable Guy (@GitRDoneLarry) April 6, 2016

Devastated that our hero @MerleHaggard passed away. He’s the reason we fell in love with music. We’ll miss you Merle pic.twitter.com/MrJ1hWIAFt
— Rhett & Link (@Mythical) April 6, 2016

We lost a legend today. RIP Merle Haggard
— Frankie Moreno (@frankiemoreno) April 6, 2016

This article originally appeared on EW.com

Country Stars Remember Legend Merle Haggard

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