5- He made the Guinness Book of World Records
The country star made the Guinness Book of World Records after buying 5,095 drinks of Canadian Club for an entire club. The bill was $12,737.50 and became the largest round of drinks ever purchased.
4- He taught himself to play the guitar as a child
Following his father’s death, Haggard’s brother Lowell gave him his first guitar. Inspired by Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams, he taught himself to become a skilled guitarist.
3- He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Following his Kennedy Center Honor for contributions to American culture, country music’s common man was celebrated at a gala with performances by Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, Kid Rock, Miranda Lambert, and Brad Paisley.
2- He had 38 No. 1 Country Hits and Numerous Other Classics
The country legend is known for hit country songs such as “Hungry Eyes,” “I Am a Lonesome Fugitive, “If We Make It Through December,” “Sing Me Back Home,” “Mama Tried,” “Pancho and Lefty” (with Willie Nelson), “Workin’ Man Blues,” “The Fightin’ Side of Me,” and “Today I Started Loving You Again” (with Bonnie Owens).
1- Toby Keith saved one of his last shows
Haggard was performing at Mandalay Bay Ballroom in Las Vegas on Feb. 6, 2016, and he was in really rough shape. It was one of his very last performances, and he probably should have been in a hospital instead of one stage. Toby Keith came to see the show and jumped up on stage to help perform Haggard’s songs when he was unable to.