American country music legend Merle Haggard has died of pneumonia on his 79th birthday. He was born in California in 1937.
He is credited with helping to define the Bakersfield sound, country music with a distinctive twang and lack of sophisticated production. Haggard wrote songs, sang and played fiddle and guitar, usually singing about American pride and outlaws. His top hits include Mama Tried, The Fugitive, If We Make It Through December and Okie from Muskogee.