Merle Haggard is recovering following an operation to remove a tumour from his lung.

The singer/songwriter underwent the surgery on Monday at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital in California.

The 71-year-old was diagnosed with the malignant tumour in May and despite initially refusing treatment, he bowed to pressure from friends and family to have the growth removed.

Doctors have hailed the operation as a success.

Merle had 38 1 hits over the years! They include:

1. I’m A Lonesome Fugitive (1966)
2. Branded Man (1967)
3. Sing Me Back Home (1968)
4. The Legend Of Bonnie And Clyde (1968)
5. Mama Tried (1968)
6. Hungry Eyes (1969)
7. Workin’ Man Blues (1969)
8. Okie From Muskogee (1969)
9. The Fightin’ Side of Me (1970)
10. Daddy Frank (The Guitar Man) (1971)
11. Carolyn (1971)
12. Grandma Harp (1972)
13. It’s Not Love (But It’s Not Bad) (1972)
14. I Wonder if They Ever Think of Me (1972)
15. Everybody’s Had The Blues (1973)
16. If We Make It Through December (1973)
17. Things Aren’t Funny Anymore (1974)
18. Old Man from the Mountain (1974)
19. Kentucky Gambler (1974)
20. Always Wanting You (1975)
21. Movin’ On (1975)
22. It’s All In The Movies (1975)
23. The Roots Of My Raising (1975)
24. Cherokee Maiden (1976)
25. Bar Room Buddies (with Clint Eastwood) (1980)
26. I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink (1980)
27. My Favorite Memory (1981)
28. Big City (1981)
29. Yesterday’s Wine (with George Jones) (1982)
30. Going Where the Lonely Go (1982)
31. You Take Me For Granted (1982)
32. Pancho And Lefty (with Willie Nelson) (1983)
33. That’s The Way Love Goes (1983)
34. Someday When Things Are Good (1984)
35. Let’s Chase Each Other Around The Room (1984)
36. A Place to Fall Apart (1984)
37. Natural High (1985)
38. Twinkle, Twinkle, Lucky Star (1987)