Arik Einstein

Arik Einstein

born on 3/1/1939 in Tel Aviv, Tel-Aviv District, Israel

died on 26/11/2013 in Tel Aviv, Tel-Aviv District, Israel

Arik Einstein

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Arik Einstein

Arieh "Arik" Einstein (Hebrew: ‎, pronounced [aik anten]; 3 January 1939 26 November 2013) was an Israeli singer, songwriter, actor, and screenwriter.[1] He was a pioneer of Israeli rock music[2] and is widely regarded as the greatest and most influential Israeli singer and musician of all time.[3][4][5][6]

Einstein collaborated with many Israeli singers and songwriters, including Shalom Hanoch[7]and Yoni Rechter. Einstein wrote many of his own songs, He was a vocalist with The Churchills, Batzal Yarok and HaHalonot HaGvohim.

Biography

Arieh Einstein was born in Tel Aviv. His father, Yaakov, was an actor with the "Ohel" Theater. Einstein was Israel's junior high jump and shot put champion.[8] His father urged him to audition for an army entertainment troupe, and he was accepted into the Nahal Brigade troupe.

In 1963, Arieh Einstein married Alona Shochat in the hall of Habima Theater (where he was onstage in a production of Irma La Douce).[9] After four years of marriage, during which their daughter Shiri was born, the couple divorced. A year later, in 1968, they remarried. Their daughter Yasmin was born in 1971.[10] They divorced again in 1972. Alona Einstein died in 2006 from cancer. Arik Einstein's second wife was Sima Eliyahu, whom he met shortly before filming the movie Metzitzim in 1972. They had a daughter and a son: Dina and Amir.

Despite a successful career of acting and singing, Einstein was the shy type and a homebody. In one of his songs he sang that his greatest pleasure was staying home with a cup of lemon tea and his books, and in this he was sincere.[11] In a candid interview that was shown on TV, he said that performing in front of big crowds was difficult for him (without the help of a few glugs of cognac beforehand). For this reason he ceased to perform public concerts from the year of 1981 and on, despite many attractive offers.[12] In 1982 he was hurt in a major car accident. His wife was also hurt, and another friend lost her life. Following the accident Einstein's eyesight, which was already myopic, got worse and he spent less and less time in public.

Music career

In 1959, after his release from the IDF, Einstein joined the Green Onion band and the Sambation theatre. In 1960, he released his first solo album. He sang in a band under the pseudonym "Ari Goren". In the Yarkon Bridge Trio, he performed with Yehoram Gaon, Benny Amdursky and later Israel Gurion. In 1964, he played in the comedy film Sallah Shabbati, along with Chaim Topol, who was also from the Green Onion band. In 1966, Einstein joined The High Windows with Shmulik Kraus and Josie Katz. Their first album went on sale in April 1967, six weeks before the Six-Day War, signaling a new direction in Israeli rock and pop. Einstein left the group after one year in the wake of a disagreement with Kraus.[13]

Two years later, Einstein released the album Mazal Gdi (Capricorn), which was not very successful. He therefore looked for a new sound and went on to produce the album Puzi with the Churchills, considered the first Israeli rock album. He stopped performing live in the early 1980s. He said: "I performed from the age of 18 until I was 42...I wasn't exactly a stage animal. I was held back by the embarrassment, the bashfulness, and it became more evident as the years went by... By the way, when I say bashfulness, I'm not proud of it... I wish I could grab a microphone and sing like a Sinatra, but I don't have what it takes, and a person should adapt to his capabilities. On the other hand, in the studio, I blossom. That's my natural habitat, where I'm not bashful. The problem is that this profession has its field mines: success is accompanied by fame and a form of adoration, and I really don't get along with that. That's where I draw the line. It's pleasant to be loved, but not more."[14]

In 2004, Einstein released Shtei Gitarot Bas Tupim (Two Guitars, Bass, Drums).[15] He sang a duet with David D'Or on D'Or's CD, Kmo HaRuach ("Like the Wind") released on 27 March 2006.[16][17] In 2010, Einstein was the most played artist on radio stations in Israel, according to Israeli Musical artist organisation, ACUM (").[18] In 2011, he released a new song in honor of the return of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. "You'll always be a hero, Einstein sings. "You are allowed to cry. It's not simple at all, to forgive fate."[19]

Acting career

Einstein was part of the early 1970s TV series Lool (Chicken Coop),[20] a sketch-and-song show with an original format and cast. Lool featured songs written by prominent poets performed by some of the best singers Israel has ever produced. In spite of the fact that it had only four episodes, it remains a cult show to this day.[21] Lool, as well as movies such as Shablool (Snail), showcased Einstein as both a top-of-the-line singer and comedian.[22]

Critical acclaim

In 2005, he was voted the 22nd-greatest Israeli of all time, in a poll by the Israeli news website Ynet to determine whom the general public considered the 200 Greatest Israelis.[23]

In 2009, Haaretz columnist Ariel Hirschfeld wrote: "Arik Einstein's well-known reclusiveness, his ordinariness, his averseness to pomposity and grandiosity, his modest way of belonging to this place these should not hide from those living here the fact that he is a very great and profound artist, with an acute artistic conscience, perfect and totally unique."[24]

Death

On 26 November 2013, Einstein died age 74 after a ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm. At the news of Einstein's death, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement describing his songs as the "soundtrack of Israel."[25] President Shimon Peres stated that he was beloved for his voice that "came from the depths" and his songs would "continue playing life and hope" long after him.[26] He was buried in Trumpeldor Cemetery in Tel Aviv. Prior to the funeral, his body lay in state in Rabin Square, where thousands gathered to pay their respects.[27]

Discography

  • 1966 Shar bishvileh (Singing for you)
  • 1968 Yashan vegamHadash" (Old and also New)

  • 1970 Shablul (Snail)
  • 1970 Plastelina (Plasticine)
  • 1971 Shirey Yeladim (Kids' Songs)
  • 1971 Badeshe etzel Avigdor (At Avigdor's on the Grass)
  • 1972 Yasmin (Jasmine)
  • 1973 Hashanim Harishonot (The First Years)
  • 1973 Eretz Yisrael Hayeshana veHatova (Good Old Land of Israel)
  • 1974 Sa leat (Drive slowly)
  • 1975 Shirim (Songs)
  • 1976 Eretz Yisrael Hayeshana veHatova bet (Good Old Land of Israel part 2)
  • 1976 Yeladim (Kids)
  • 1976 Haahava panim rabot la (Love Has Many Faces)
  • 1977 Eretz Yisrael Hayeshana veHatova Gimel (Good Old Land of Israel part 3)
  • 1978 Leket (Medley)
  • 1978 Yeladudes (Kiddos)
  • 1980 Eretz Yisrael Hayeshana veHatova-Meshirey Sasha Argov (Good Old Land of Israel-Sasha Argov's Songs)
  • 1980 Hamush Bemishkafaim (Armed With Glasses)
  • 1981 Leket Leyladim (Collection for Kids)
  • 1982 Yoshev Al Hagader (Sitting on the Fence)
  • 1983 Shavir (Fragile)
  • 1984 Pesek Zman (Time Out)
  • 1984 Nostalgia-Eretz Yisrael Hayeshana veHatova (Nostalgia-Good Old Land of Israel)
  • 1985 Totzeret Haaretz (Made in Israel)
  • 1986 Ohev Lihiyot Babait (Love Being Home)
  • 1987 Al Gvul Haor (On the Boundary of Light)
  • 1988 Meshirey Avraham Halfi (Avraham Halfi's Songs)
  • 1989 Hashanim Harishonot (The First Years)
  • 1989 Haiti Paam Yeled (I was a Boy Once)
  • 1992 Nostalgia-Eretz Yisrael Hayeshana veHatova (Nostalgia-Good Old Land of Israel)
  • 1992 Haarye, Hayona, veTarnegolet Kchula (The Lion, The Dove, and a Blue Chicken)
  • 1995 Yesh bi Ahava (Got Love in Me)
  • 1996 Ktzat lakahat Hazara (Take Back a Little)
  • 1997 Lean Parchu Haparparim (Where Have the Butterflies Gone)
  • 1999 Muscat
  • 2002 Yashan vegam Hadash-remastered (Old and also New)
  • 2002 Shemesh Retuva (Wet Sun)
  • 2004 Shablool-remastered (Snail)
  • 2004 Shtei Gitarot, Bass, Tupim (Two Guitars, Bass, Drums)
  • 2006 Rega'im (Moments)
  • 2007 Kol Ha Tov Shebaolam (All the Good Things in the World)

With the High Windows:

  • 1966 Hahalonot hagvohim (The High Windows)

Songbooks

  • 1981 Arik Einstein: Songbook (edited by Arik Einstein and Michael Tapuach)
  • 1989 Lool (edited by Arik Einstein and Zvi Shisel)
  • 1991 Arik Einstein: Second Songbook (edited by Arik Einstein and Michael Tapuach; music editor: Bart Berman)
  • 2006 Arik Enstein: Zo Ota Ha-ahava (edited by Ali Mohar)

References

  1. MOOMA . Mooma.mako.co.il (3 January 1939). Retrieved on 29 November 2013.
  2. Press, Associated (22 November 2013). Israeli musician Arik Einstein dies at 74. ABC News. Retrieved on 29 November 2013.
  3. http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/west-of-eden/.premium-1.560367
  4. http://www.jpost.com/Arts-and-Culture/Music/Legendary-Israeli-singer-Arik-Einstein-passes-away-at-age-of-74-333129
  5. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25118000
  6. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4458418,00.html
  7. Amy Horowitz. Mediterranean Israeli Music and the Politics of the Aesthetic, Books.google.co.il. URL accessed 29 November 2013.
  8. Fay, Greer (26 September 2005). Celebrity Grapevine. The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved on 29 November 2013.
  9. Alona was daughter of Aluf-Mishne (Colonel) Gideon Schochat, one of the IAF's first pilots, and granddaughter of Israel and Manya Shochat.
  10. Palti, Michal (9 January 2006). Wild eyes searching for an answer. Haaretz. Retrieved on 29 November 2013.
  11. Arik Einstein, Israel's Greatest Singer, Dies at 74. Tabletmag.com. Retrieved on 29 November 2013.
  12. [Interview shown on the show Erev Tov im Guy Pines Erev Tov im Guy Pines]
  13. Prince of Tides. Yakyosha.com (26 July 2007). Retrieved on 29 November 2013.
  14. Shalev, Ben. Arik Einstein, 1939-2013: The soundtrack of Israeli culture. Haaretz. Retrieved on 29 November 2013.
  15. Shalev, Ben (9 January 2009). Lion in Winter. Haaretz. Retrieved on 29 November 2013.
  16. Like the Wind. Amazon.com. Retrieved on 5 May 2009.
  17. Kmo HaRuach. daviddor.com (February 2009). Archived from the original on 17 May 2006. Retrieved on 8 May 2009.
  18. " " .
  19. Klein, Uri (19 October 2011). Israeli singer Arik Einstein dedicates ballad to Gilad Shalit. Haaretz. Retrieved on 29 November 2013.
  20. Lool. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 26 November 2013.
  21. : . Calcalist (27 November 2013). Retrieved on 27 November 2013.
  22. Arik Einstein profile. Mako. Retrieved on 26 November 2013.
  23. ',  1: , Ynet, 20 June 1995. URL accessed on 10 July 2011.
  24. Hirschfeld, Ariel (9 January 2009). One Foot Here and One Foot There. Haaretz. Retrieved on 29 November 2013.
  25. Shalev, Ben. Arik Einstein, 1939-2013: The soundtrack of Israeli culture National Israel News. Haaretz. Retrieved on 29 November 2013.
  26. Israeli Singer Arik Einstein Dies at 74. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on 29 November 2013.
  27. Israel mourns Arik Einstein, Haaretz

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Arik Einstein

This page was last modified 27.04.2014 17:38:54

This article uses material from the article Arik Einstein from the free encyclopedia Wikipedia and it is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.