Merle Haggard Dead: Stars React to Loss of Country Music Legend

A legend lost. Country music star Merle Haggard passed away on his 79th birthday on Wednesday, April 6. In the wake of his death, country singers including Jake Owen, Jason Aldean, Sheryl Crow, LeAnn Rimes and Carrie Underwood took to social media to mourn the singer.

According to Haggard’s manager, the “Okie From Muskogee” crooner passed away at his home near Redding, California, after reportedly battling double pneumonia. Prior to his death, Haggard was hospitalized for 11 days at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Riverside, California, and canceled dates on his comeback tour with Willie Nelson.

In a statement to TMZ, Nelson expressed: “He was my brother, my friend. I will miss him.”

“Extremely sad to hear of the passing of one of the greatest of all time Mr. Merle Haggard,” Aldean tweeted, along with a photo of them together.

“The world will not be the same without @merlehaggard in it. Voice of reason, good man, true American artist. An original. RIP #MerleHaggard,” Crow added on Twitter.

See below for more reactions to the legend’s death.

Country music has suffered one of the greatest losses it will ever experience Rest in peace Merle Haggard

— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) 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

“Mighty” Merle Haggard was the greatest country songwriter of ALL TIME. We shared many great memories, and I will miss him. #merlehaggard

— John Rich (@johnrich) April 6, 2016

Heartbroken. #MerleHaggard https://t.co/TeBj4hPd69 https://t.co/KTTU0mRVAB

— rosanne cash (@rosannecash) April 6, 2016

You’re flying now. #MerleHaggard https://t.co/n0Oz9Mlueh

— Joe Nichols (@JoeNichols) 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

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

Really heartbroken by our friend Merle’s passing. Man, what a way to go out on your 79th bday! Happy birthday and R.I.P. We lost a bad ass man and a great poet. Happy to have known you. #merle #merlehaggard #ripmerle #legend

A post shared by LeAnn Rimes Cibrian (@leannrimes) on Apr 6, 2016 at 11:13am PDT

#MerleHaggard

A post shared by Jamie Lynn Spears (@jamielynnspears) on Apr 6, 2016 at 11:15am PDT

Another legend lost. This was real country. Brilliant. RIP Merle.

A post shared by Paul McDonald (@thepaulmcdonald) on Apr 6, 2016 at 11:25am PDT

Hard to believe the news about Merle Haggard. Working with him is something I’ll never forget and will cherish forever … long live the Hag

A post shared by Dustin Lynch (@dustinlynchmusic) on Apr 6, 2016 at 10:46am PDT

extremely sad to hear of the passing of one of the greatest of all time Mr. Merle Haggard today. so glad i had the chance to meet him. You will forever be missed and remembered. #gogetyoursilverwingshagg

A post shared by Jason Aldean (@jasonaldean) on Apr 6, 2016 at 10:48am PDT

Rest in Peace Mr. Haggard. Your legacy will always live on.

A post shared by Maddie & Tae (@maddieandtae) on Apr 6, 2016 at 10:58am PDT

So bummed to lose my number one influence in country music #merlehaggard. I got to tour with him and #clintblack… https://t.co/KP2mZbnv7l

— Billy Dean (@billydean) 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

The greatest singer songwriter of my lifetime is gone. Thanks for the music and friendship. R.I.P. Hag – T pic.twitter.com/Dncf3mmSdF

— Toby Keith (@TobyKeithMusic) April 6, 2016