Born in Vienna, Austria on June 4, 1927, Willy Hagara was a schlager pop singer and actor. Originally a postal worker, he took vocal and acting lessons in his spare time. After winning a song contest at the Vienna Kongresshaussaal, he was hired by the Johannes Fehring Orchestra to act as a substitute vocalist. This temporary gig became a full-time position in 1948 and Willy Hagara would soon be regarded as one of Austria’s finest singers. He signed to Phillips Records and released a series of singles including “Diesmal Muss Es Liebe Sein” (1954), “Eine Kutsche Voller Mädels” (1955), and “Maria-Marietta” (1957). In 1958, her released the single “Casetta in Canada”, which proved to be his breakthrough hit. The song was an enormous success in Europe, climbing to Number 3 on the German singles chart. Willy Hagar’s numerous TV and radio appearances led to a short career in West German films. He continued to score hit singles until 1962, when his career suddenly stalled, and he found it difficult to place a single or album in the upper regions of the charts. By the end of the 1960s, his releases weren’t charting at all. His father died in 1969, leaving Wally Hagara an inheritance that was worth millions and included real estate in Vienna. In 1973, he ended his recording career but continued to perform. After the death of his wife in 1986, he retired from the music business. Wally Hagara died on May 15, 2015.
