Country music great Waylon Jennings [ tickets ] died on Wednesday (2/12) at his home in Chandler, Ariz., of complications from diabetes. He was 64.

Problems with diabetes reduced Jennings’ mobility in recent years, and increasing difficulties with the disease caused doctors to amputate his left foot in December.

The two-time Grammy Award winner and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame began his career as the bass player in Buddy Holly’s band. He went on to become a successful solo artist, registering 16 No. 1 country hits and recording 60 albums.

"Waylon and I were real close," said fellow country outlaw Merle Haggard. "We were close in age and we both made our start out West. [Throughout our careers], sometimes I was mistaken for Waylon and sometimes he was mistaken for me. We're all gonna miss him--he's one of a kind."

Jennings had a brush with death in 1959 when he just missed being on a plane that crashed while carrying Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson. At the last minute, Jennings agreed to ride in Holly's tour bus and let an ailing Richardson take his spot on the plane.

In the '70s, Jennings teamed with Willie Nelson on duets such as "Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys" and "Good Hearted Woman," which became two of his best-known songs.

Openly scornful of country music convention and the Nashville establishment, Jennings played by his own rules to the last, opting to skip his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame this past October.

In the '80s, Jennings recorded and toured with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash as the Highwaymen. Known for hard work and hard living, Jennings' open attitude to music is best summed up by a quote posted on his official website. "I’ve always felt that blues, rock 'n' roll and country are just about a beat apart."

Jennings had a role in the Sesame Street movie "Follow That Bird," and served as narrator and wrote the theme song for the long-running Dukes of Hazzard TV show.

Jennings is survived by his wife of 33 years, singer Jessi Colter, and a son, Shooter.