Merle Haggard, a country music renegade who defined the rough-edged West Coast sound of the 1960s with songs about hardened lives, heavy drinking and broken dreams, died 4/6 on his 79th birthday at his home near Redding, Calif.

Holly Gleason's remembrance of the great man is essential reading; don't miss it.

Once again, fans have mourned the loss by downloading the music: there are three Haggard collections in the iTunes Top 10 on Thursday morning.

Haggard suffered a string of health struggles and December was hospitalized with double pneumonia, which returned in late January, forcing the cancellation of concert performances this year.

From the honky-tonks of his hometown Bakersfield, Haggard’s Fender-guitar-driven twang provided a counterpoint to the slick country music coming out of Nashville, singing stories of hardship, bad luck and even patriotism that earned a place in the pantheon that includes Hank Williams and Johnny Cash.

Influenced by Bob Wills and Jimmie Rodgers, his music would influence country musicians such as Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan and Garth Brooks and rock acts The Byrds, Elvis Costello and Sheryl Crow. Jason Isbell tweeted “Merle Haggard was the best country songwriter there ever was.”

After a troubled childhood led to multiple trips to jail, Haggard was sent to San Quentin Prison for a botched burglary when he was 20 where he began to take music seriously and was in the audience for Cash’s famous 1958 performance at the penitentiary.

Once out of prison, he worked as a ditch digger and in Bakersfield’s clubs, aligning himself with the already established Buck Owens.

He made a name for himself in Bakersfield, playing clubs and recording his compositions for Capitol Records, among them “The Bottle Let Me Down,” “Branded Man,” “Sing Me Back Home,” “Okie From Muskogee” and “Mama Tried.” Haggard’s first release for Capitol, 1965’s Strangers, hit #9 on the country chart and he then went on a 21-year run in which he registered 40 #1 country singles and other 38 singles in the country Top 10.

A native of California’s Central Valley, he also sang of the state’s rural areas—and the hard lives there—in songs such as “Tulare Dust” and “Kern River.”

A two-time Grammy winner, Recording Academy CEO/President Neil Portnow said “Merle’s massive success was rooted in his masterful ability to celebrate the outlaws and the underdogs. Merle’s extraordinary talent resulted in more than 30 No. 1 country hits and his remarkable performances will forever live on and inspire music creators worldwide.”

“We've lost one of the greatest writers and singers of all time," Dolly Parton shared. "His heart was as tender as his love ballads. I loved him like a brother. Rest easy, Merle.”

Haggard was honored as BMI Icon in 1996, and recognized at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2010. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1977 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994.

Haggard's last recording, Django and Jimmie with Willie Nelson, was released by Sony Legacy last year (see review.)

https://t.co/U5K6E3CpSe pic.twitter.com/wcvEZbCBFP
— Willie Nelson (@willienelson) April 6, 2016

The world will not be the same without @merlehaggard in it. Voice of reason, good man, true American artist. An original. RIP #MerleHaggard
— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) April 6, 2016

Saddened by the loss of Merle. We lost a bad ass man, a great poet! I love you Merle. Prayers for his family. R.I.P. #MerleHaggard
— LeAnn Rimes Cibrian (@leannrimes) April 6, 2016

extremely sad to hear of the passing of one of the greatest of all time Mr. Merle Haggard... https://t.co/hmAlAdA8pl pic.twitter.com/s9VhxkXz57
— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) 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

literally just fell to the floor. can't believe we lost the hag. rip merle haggard
— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) 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

It felt like the world stopped for a moment when I heard about Merle Haggard...such an icon...thanks for your gift to all of us brother
— Brett Eldredge (@bretteldredge) April 6, 2016

I think I'll just stay here and drink. ðŸ’”
— KACEY MUSGRAVES (@KaceyMusgraves) April 6, 2016

RIP Merle...you paved the way for so many. You had what we all hope for...a voice that matters and survives the ever changing trends.
— Kip Moore (@KipMooreMusic) April 6, 2016

Merle Haggard lived a lot of life in those 79 years. #RIP
— Bobby Bones (@mrBobbyBones) April 6, 2016

Songwriter. Outlaw. Legend.
Rest in peace, Merle. It was a pleasure to host you on The Farm in 2009. #merlehaggard pic.twitter.com/pFiFEDBV47
— Bonnaroo (@Bonnaroo) April 6, 2016

Hats off to the one and only Merle Haggard. pic.twitter.com/NkRXkNWHKL
— Stagecoach Festival (@Stagecoach) April 6, 2016