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Jack O'Hagan

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Jack O'Hagan
Background information
Birth nameJohn Francis O'Hagan
Born(1898-11-29)29 November 1898
Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
Died15 July 1987(1987-07-15) (aged 88)
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, radio personality
InstrumentVocals
Years active1916–1961

John Francis O'Hagan OBE (29 November 1898 – 15 July 1987) was an Australian singer-songwriter and radio personality.[1]

Early life

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O'Hagan was born as John Francis O'Hagan, in Fitzroy, a suburb of Melbourne. He was the son of Pat O'Hagan, a hotelkeeper and Alice née Quinlan. He went to school at St Patrick's College and then later at Xavier College in Melbourne. His first job in the music business was at Allans Music in Melbourne – he played sheet music for potential customers.[2] When radio was introduced to Australia, he was one of the first to broadcast for 3LO, and later on 3AW.

Compositions

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Between 1916 and 1961, O'Hagan wrote over 600 songs, more than 200 of which were published.[2] Some of O'Hagan's well-known songs are:

His music and lyrics for the stage include the musical The Flame of Desire, which premiered at Melbourne's Apollo Theatre in October 1935.[4]

In the 1940s and 1950s, O'Hagan wrote many radio commercials and campfire songs. However, the combination of the rising popularity of rock and roll and television ended his career.[5]

Despite writing songs about the town, O'Hagan first visited Gundagai in 1956 when he was guest of honour at the centenary celebrations of the town.[6]

Honours

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O'Hagan was awarded the OBE in 1973.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Bebbington, Warren The Oxford Companion To Australian Music Oxford University Press 1997
  2. ^ a b c d "John Francis 'Jack' O'Hagan (1898–1987) Song Composer". 150 years: 150 lives (Brighton General Cemetery). Travis M Sellers. 15 September 2007. Archived from the original on 18 May 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  3. ^ "Waltzing Matilda and the National Anthem". Roger Clarke's Waltzing Matilda site. Roger Clarke. 10 September 2003. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  4. ^ "PREMIERE OF AUSTRALIAN MUSICAL PLAY". The Age. No. 25, 122. Victoria, Australia. 21 October 1935. p. 10. Retrieved 18 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "The Jack O'Hagan story". David Spicer Productions. Archived from the original on 8 July 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  6. ^ Llewellyn, Marc (4 February 2007). "Beyond the Tuckerbox". Travel (Australia). News Limited. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
  7. ^ "Sheet Music, We're All Cobbers Together, 1940". Victorian Collections. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
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