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Merle Haggard Gets Tumor Removed From Lung, Remains An Outlaw

11/5/08, 3:45 pm EST

Photo: Getty

Country music rebel Merle Haggard is recovering in California after having a malignant tumor removed from his lung. The 71-year-old Haggard remains in stable condition following the successful surgery. A “spot” was found in Haggard’s lung back in May. Even though doctors recommended Haggard get it removed immediately, Haggard’s pretty badass and instead opted for no surgery. In fact, Haggard even toured from June until August with the tumor lodged in his chest. Friends and family finally convinced the Hag to undergo the surgery, and the tumor was removed Monday in his hometown of Bakersfield. Among achievements like 38 #1 country hits and plenty of Academy of Country Music awards, Haggard was also given the Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.

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Comments

jebeal | 11/6/2008, 9:13 am EST

Hag is a true American original whose recent albums have been gems. He deserves the kind of reintroduction to the American public that Cash got through American Records. Hope he rests well and gets back out there soon.

goblin | 11/6/2008, 12:51 pm EST

It’s not badass to refuse to have surgery on a malignant lung tumor! It’s stupid, that’s what it is, because lung cancer has very low 5-year survival rates, and they’re even lower for people who delay surgery!

mark | 11/7/2008, 6:51 am EST

get well merle, we all love you.ive seen you 4 times in concert and each one was special.ive been to hundreds of concerts one but one of my favorite memories is sitting in stunned stillness while merle sang “as time goes by”.

get well merle.

Shirley | 11/7/2008, 8:58 pm EST

Get well Merle you’re still the
greatest country music singer there is.

Jacky | 11/21/2008, 8:48 pm EST

Get well Merele. I agree with jebeal. I have only had the good fortune to see Merle in concert once but what a show!! Managed to get front row seats at the JLC in London Ontario and took my father in law who was a huge Merle fan, it was such a thrill for him to see Merle. I have been a Merle fan since childhood. His voice remains strong, one of the surviving legend of country music out laws.

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