This week in Kern County history.
Merle Haggard’s Death: April 6, 2016
Merle Haggard, born in Oildale, California, during the Great Depression, faced a troubled youth marked by the death of his father and multiple incarcerations. Overcoming a troubled past, he transformed his life after release from San Quentin State Prison in 1960, embarking on a successful country music career. His songs, focused on the working class, resonated with 38 number-one hits on the US country charts from the 1960s to the 1980s. Haggard’s achievements garnered accolades, including a Kennedy Center Honor, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and inductions into various halls of fame. His connection to Bakersfield, California, roots deepened as he honed the distinctive Bakersfield sound, countering the prevailing Nashville sound. Haggard’s impact on country music remained influential until his death on April 6, 2016, at his Shasta County ranch, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and musical innovation.
