Fifty-five years ago today, Merle Haggard was in the middle of a long run at No. 1 with his second chart-topping album of the year.
In January 1970, Haggard released the studio version of “The Fightin’ Side of Me.” It became a three-week No. 1. Then, in July of that year, he released the live album of the same name. Again, he and ...