Ragnar Bjarnason Explained

Raggi Bjarna
Birth Name:Ragnar Bjarnason
Birth Date:22 September 1934
Birth Place:Reykjavík, Iceland
Death Date:25 February 2020 (aged 85)
Death Place:at Landspítali, Kópavogur, Iceland
Alias:Raggi Bjarna
Occupation:Singer
Years Active:1947–2020
Past Member Of:Hljómsveit Ragnars Bjarnasonar
Hljómsveit Svavars Gests
Sumargleðin
Spouse:Helle Birthe Bjarnason

Ragnar Bjarnason, also known as Raggi Bjarna, (22 September 1934  - 25 February 2020) was an Icelandic singer. He was born in a small attic apartment at Lækjargata 12a in Reykjavík.[1] He is the son of Bjarni Böðvarsson, a conductor of a renowned orchestra and Lára Magnúsdóttir a famous singer and also long-time singer in a church choir.[2] Ragnar started as a drummer in his father's band at the age of 13. At 16 he sang with Sigurður Ólafsson and by the age of 20 had his own albums. In 1955–1956, he became vocalist of Hljómsveit Svavars Gests (a relation that would go on until 1960) and in 1956, became a singer with KK sextet that continued until 1959. At the time, he released albums of his own.[3]

After spending few years abroad, he returned in 1964. He rejoined Svavar briefly, before forming his own band in 1965 when Svavar's orchestra stopped performing. The band played for 19 consecutive years at Hótel Saga. In 1972, he also founded Sumargleðin that toured the country and gained great national fame.[2]

Ragnar died on February 25, 2020.[2]

Discography

Albums

78 rpms and 45 rpm Singles

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Heyr mitt ljúfasta lag . 27 June 2022 . . 22 September 2014 . Icelandic.
  2. News: Andlát: Ragnar Bjarnason . 27 June 2022 . . 26 February 2020 . Icelandic.
  3. News: Stefán Ó. Jónsson . Eilífðartöffari kveður sviðið . 27 June 2022 . . 26 February 2020 . Icelandic.