Merle Haggard, singer of hits like “Okie From Muskogee,” “Mama Tried” and “Workin’ Man Blues” died Wednesday at age 79.
Merle Haggard, singer of hits like “Okie From Muskogee,” “Mama Tried” and “Workin’ Man Blues” died Wednesday at age 79.Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP file

Haggard’s manager, Frank Mull, said the country icon died in Palo Cedro, California, of pneumonia.

A masterful guitarist, fiddler and songwriter as well as singer, the Country Music Hall of Famer recorded for more than 40 years, releasing dozens of albums and No. 1 hits.