Died On This Date (January 9, 2009) Jon Hager / One Half Of “Hee Haw’s” The Hager Twins
themusicsover Jon Hager
August 30, 1941 – January 9, 2009
Jon Hager and his twin brother, Jim Hager, were known collectively as the Hager Twins, a popular singing and comedic duo who popularized their act on TV’s Hee Haw program from 1968 to 1986. The twins were still children when they began performing together, and by the time they were teens, they were singing weekly on a local television program. Since their early days, they opened for such acts as Dolly Parton, Steve Martin and Buck Owens. They released six albums over the course of their career, accounting for a few moderately successful country singles along the way. Jon Hager was 67 when he died in his sleep on January 9, 2009.
Debbie Friedman was a popular folk singer-songwriter whose songs were mostly populated with Jewish faith themes. She began writing when she was at camp during the ’70s and went on to release over 20 albums throughout her long career. Her most famous songs are “Mi Sheberach,” “The Aleph Bet Song,” and “I Am A Latke.” In 2007, she began teaching at The Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Debbie Friedman died of pneumonia on January 9, 2011. She was 59.
Bridie Gallagher was an influential Irish singer who, over a career that spanned more than 50 years became known as one of the nation’s must important female vocalists. Known as “The Girl From Donegal,” Gallagher became Ireland’s first international pop star thanks to such records as 1956’s “A Mother’s Love’s A Blessing.” That was followed by another popular single, “The Boys From County Armagh” from her successful debut album, The Girl From Donegal. Before she knew it, Gallagher was playing to sell-out crowds at the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Sydney Opera House. She went on to sell millions of records and perform the world over until her retirement in 2000. Bridie Gallagher passed away in hour Belfast home on July 9, 2011. She was 87.
Once called “The Soul of Puerto Rican Song,” Ruth Fernandez was a popular singer who broke both racial and gender barriers during the 1940s. After learning to play the piano as a child, Fernandez began performing around her neighborhood in Ponce, and by the time she was 14, she had already formed her first group and was performing for 50 cents a day at local radio stations. She went on to perform at area nightclubs and casinos with Mingo, a popular bandleader. In 1941, Fernandez received a recording contract from Columbia Records who released her first hit single, 1941’s “Cuando Vuelvas.” Before she knew it, she was performing in clubs as far north as New York City. Fernandez also became a popular performer for soldiers stationed overseas as she traveled to entertain troops of Hispanic descent during WWII and the Korean War. In 1954, she performed on El Show Libby’s, Puerto Rico’s first-ever televised music program. Over the course of her career, Fernandez toured the world, and in many places was the first Latina to do so. She also appeared in several Spanish-language films. In 1973, Fernandez was elected to the Senate of Puerto Rico where she served until 1981. During her tenure, she worked to better conditions for the artistic class. After retiring during the 2000s, it was revealed that Fernandez was suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. Ruth Fernandez passed away at the age of 92 on January 9, 2012.