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.
This article originally appeared on EW.com
More Must-Reads From TIME
- Donald Trump Was Just Indicted. Here's What to Know About the Charges and the Case
- What Could Happen Next for Donald Trump
- Trump's Indictment Drama Showcased His Rivals' Weakness
- Inside Ukraine's Push to Try Putin For War Crimes
- Bad Bunny's Next Move
- Elon Musk Signs Open Letter Urging AI Labs to Pump the Brakes
- Eliezer Yudkowsky: Pausing AI Developments Isn't Enough. We Need to Shut it All Down
- 'How Is This Still Happening?' A Survivor Questions America's Gun Violence Problem
- Cheryl Strayed Will Always Be Here for You
- Who Should Be on the 2023 TIME100? Vote Now
