Israel Ka'ano'i Kamakawiwo'ole (pronounced Israel Kamakawiwo'ole) is a great Hawaiian musician and singer, one might even say more than great, he is a hero of his people, as his whole life was devoted to promoting and upholding the rights of Hawaiians , their independence. In this, he is very similar to the Israeli fighters who fought for independence and for the creation of their own, independent.
The songs of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole were also interesting in that they were performed by a very large (large) man, but with a gentle, almost female voice, accompanied by a ukulele - a small four-string plucked guitar, which in his hands became even smaller than it was on really.
This musical instrument is the national Hawaiian instrument, which appeared on the islands of the Hawaiian archipelago somewhere in the 19th century, being created by Portuguese immigrants who took the brahinha and quakinha, Portuguese folk musical instruments, as a basis. Today, the ukulele can be found far beyond Hawaii, musicians from many countries of the world perform their masterpieces to the music of the ukulele. You can also meet this instrument, because people from Hawaii and other countries also live in this unique country, who brought with them to this unique country and pieces of their culture. But in Hawaii, the ukulele is truly folk instrument, which is associated with the music and culture of the Hawaiian people. It is not for nothing that the great Israel Kamakavivo’ole chose this particular instrument to perform his songs.
Today scientists argue about the origin of the name of this musical instrument. We settled on two options. The first option - "ukulele" should be translated as "jumping flea". Perhaps, after all, when playing this instrument, the musician's hand really jumps along the strings as deftly as this insect does. According to the second version, "ukulele" must be translated as "gratitude that has come." This option seems much more correct, especially if we recall the history of the appearance of this instrument in the Hawaiian Islands. In addition, the word "uku" is translated precisely as "gratitude", and "lele" - as "to come."
Music performed on the ukulele was heard by the general public for the first time in 1915 at the International Exhibition in San Francisco, when Hawaiian musicians performed their folk tunes. The audience was delighted with both the music and the culture of this people. In addition, this instrument has gained great popularity due to the ease of playing it, relatively low cost and ease of manufacture. Several companies began to mass-produce ukuleles at once, including Martin.
One of the most famous ukulele performers and musicians, along with the American singer and musician Herbert Hauri, better known under the pseudonym Tiny Tim, the British musician Paul McCartney, the vocalist and guitarist of the Radiohead band Thom Yorke, the Korean guitarist Jung Sungha is also Israel Ka'ano'i Kamakawiwo'ole (Israel Kamakawiwo'ole). He began to play this mini-guitar since early childhood. Israel Kamakawivo'ole with his brother and his friends organized a group called The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau. With this group, he began to tour the country, gaining more and more popularity and people's love.
Israel Kamakavivo'ole released his first album in 1990. But, despite the high awards received by this album, he became known far beyond the borders of his homeland - Hawaii, not thanks to him, but with the release of his new album Facing Future, released in 1993 and simultaneously becoming a platinum album, including the first in the history of Hawaii. Over two million copies have been sold in the US alone. His medley of "Over The Rainbow" and "What A Wonderful World" has been featured in several films and TV series such as Find Forrester, Meet Joe Black and many more, as well as television programs and commercials. His songs were recognized as the best songs for films, were awarded the highest prizes and awards. Over the past eight weeks, the top-selling song has been a cover of Somewhere Over The Rainbow by a morbidly obese Hawaiian guitarist named Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.
Israel Kamakawivo'ole for his soulful performance and impressive size from his fans received the nickname "The Gentle Giant" - Gentle Giant.
Thanks to his unsurpassed ukulele playing and the inclusion of other idioms (for example, jazz and reggae), Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, or as he is also called - Iz, has been one of the main currents in the music of Hawaii for the past 15 years. The number of his fans is still growing today. But unfortunately, any new fans hoping to see him perform will be disappointed, as he is long dead.
During the last years of his life, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole suffered from severe obesity and at one point weighed 758 pounds (344 kg) with a height of 190 cm. During his life, he survived several hospitalizations and died of weight-related respiratory diseases, chained to hospital bed on June 26, 1997 at 12:18 am at the age of 38. The state flag of Hawaii on July 10, 1997, the day of Iz's funeral, was raised in half. He was the third person in Hawaiian history to be so honored (the other two were Governor John A. Burns and United States Senator Matsunaga) without being a politician or other statesman. Over 10,000 people attended his funeral. On July 12, 1997, thousands of fans gathered on Makua Beach for his ashes to be scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
Death could not silence his music. The popularity of his songs, on the contrary, grew and grew every day. The album Facing Future was a huge success in Hawaii and later in the continental US, but the song Somewhere Over The Rainbow (in both original and edited versions) took on a life of its own. Since Iz's death, it has been licensed to numerous commercials, films and television shows, and has seen the album's sales increase to over 2.5 million units in the US alone.
Songs of a giant Hawaiian music“Israel Kamakawiwo'ole was being played on radio broadcasts far beyond Hawaii. Without a doubt, the embellished emotions that come from the life of the performer are cut short. Although he will live in his music for a long time. And even if people can't pronounce or remember his name, they will still hear the voice of Hawaii in his music.
Israel (known as "Iz" to millions of his fans) Kamakawiwo'ole, his music was everywhere. In an instant, the whole world was talking about Hawaiian songs, about his songs. The awareness of Hawaiian music outside the state can be considered precisely his merit. He did a lot for this in his, unfortunately, very short life. He gave the right to vote to the Hawaiian people. The people of Hawaii saw the whole world cheering for a simple person from a simple place. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole showed how cool it is to be Hawaiian. He gave his people more than respect and recognition, he gave - faith in freedom.
Through the music of Kamakawiwo'ole, we can still perceive the world today as he saw it - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - as a place where there are no racial barriers, a place where music is not defined by the boundaries of the Hawaiian Islands or another territory, but is perceived simply as music.
In many countries, music and songs performed by Israel Kamakavivo’ole still have indescribable success to this day. In some countries, for example, in Germany, the songs caused a real boom in sales of the ukulele. People fall in love with the songs of Israel Kamakavivo'ole from the first words, from the first chords. Young people play ukuleles in the yards, playing exactly the way Israel Kamakawivo'ole once played, performing exactly his songs. Songs From are promoted on the radio. In the UK, songs performed by Israel Kamakavivo'ole were in the Top 100 Best Songs for almost a year.
The most famous Hawaiian musician, singer and composer "IZ"
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole.
Israel Ka "ano" and Kamakavivo "ole(full name Israel Ka "ano" i Kamakawiwo "ole listen)) was born in Honolulu on May 20, 1959, playing on ukulele Ukulele started at the age of 6. Later, together with his brother, he founded a group The Makaha Sons of Ni"ihau The band's first album was released in 1976.
Since 1990, IZ began his solo career and immediately his first album "Ka "Ano" i" became the most popular album of 1990.
The Hawaiian musician's second album "Facing Future" was released in 1993.
"IZ" performed his songs with the ukulele ukulele.
Fans called him "The Gentle Giant" (The Gentle Giant), his height was 190cm and he weighed more than 340 kilograms.
Israel made a huge contribution to Hawaiian music, for a long time remained a symbol of Hawaiian music throughout the world, helped to revive Hawaiian traditions and develop national culture.
IZ passed away in 1997 from breathing problems due to being overweight. More than 10 thousand people came to say goodbye to him ... On July 10, on the day of the funeral of the national hero, flags were flown at half mast throughout the Hawaiian Islands, and his coffin was displayed in the Capitol of Honolulo (in the entire Hawaiian history, only three people were honored with such an honor). The ashes of the Hawaiian musician were scattered over the Pacific Ocean.
Albums Israel Ka "ano" and Kamakavivo "ole can buy on his website http://www.izhawaii.com/wonderfulworld or you can download songs for free "IZ" http://www.izhawaii.com/download/
He was a famous musician in Hawaii, but world fame came to him after his death. His major hits "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and "What A Wonderfull World" were featured on the soundtrack of Meet Joe Black and made him famous all over the world. Also, his songs are heard in the films "Find Forrester", "50 First Dates" and in the TV series "ER".
Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo"ole
Today we will continue the theme of light and warm music, without disturbing the atmosphere of the New Year. You can, of course, listen to the radio online and not strain yourself, sagging after the holidays. But I would like to pay a fraction of your attention to the hero of our post, who is usually called or he is Bruddah Iz, it the most famous Hawaiian singer and composer and a simple-minded guy with a hard-to-pronounce first and last name, which you can’t pronounce right away - Israel Kamakawivo "ole ().
His most famous song Somewhere over the Rainbow” hit the soundtracks of the films “ Meet Joe Black», « Find Forrester», « 50 first kisses", the series" Ambulance' and many other places. In Hawaii it was also called The Gentle Giant, "gentle giant". He was a giant with his height of 190 cm and weight of 343 kilograms, but his voice was, as they say in the press, "angelic", like that of a fragile girl - high, insinuating and gentle.
Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo"ole
At the same time, Israel was also a kind-hearted person, a fighter for Hawaiian culture and the rights of the nation. He influenced people all over the world, since the work of Israel Kamakavivo "ole is listened to from Germany to Australia, and views on YouTube indicate that people are tired of pop music of various kinds, and simple, sincere, authentic music can win the hearts of millions .
In addition to the fact that in 15 years he made a huge contribution to Hawaiian music, making it world famous, and for a long time was its symbol, he did a lot for people. Helped develop national culture in Hawaii. He personally struggled with various troubles - he explained to schoolchildren about the dangers of drug addiction (he himself quit smoking at one time), helped doctors struggling with Hawaii's national disease - obesity, explaining to them cultural characteristics and approach to Hawaiians (he himself weighed under 350 kg). Two months before he died - when he could no longer walk, but was in a wheelchair and using a special ventilator - he continued to help, went to the Hawaiian theater to help the Angel Network, a center for the homeless, with money.
On stage, he could attract attention to himself, in general he had an extraordinary charisma.
A little biography:
Israel Ka "ano" and Kamakavivo "ole (Israel Ka "ano" i Kamakawiwo "ole) was born in Honolulu on May 20, 1959, the son of Evangeline Leinani Kamakawiwo "ole (aka Keale) and Henry Kalei" aloha Naniwa (aka Tiny).
He lived on O "ahu for the first ten years, then moved to Makahu. In general, a completely natural Hawaiian.
From the age of six, at the suggestion of his relatives, he began to play ukulele - ukulele.
Then with my brother Skippy (Skippy) founded a group with quite a tribal name " Sons of Ni "ihau from Makah" (The Makaha Sons of Ni"ihau). Other members of the group - Jerome Coco(Jerome Koko) Louis "Luna" Kauakahi(Louis "Moon" Kauakahi) and Sam Gray(Sam Grey). " The Makaha Sons"released five albums, the first of them" No Kristo", recorded in 1976. Skippy died of cardiac arrest in 82. This deeply hurt Israel.
In 90, Israel Kamakavivo "ole began his own career. His first recording was "Ka" Ano "i" and became the most popular album of 90. The second solo album - "Facing Future" was released in 93 and in 95 "E Ala E with a posthumous duet with Skippy (studio editing). And the highly successful album "N Dis Life" (1996).
He died in 97 from breathing problems caused by excessive weight. Over 10,000 people came on July 10 to say goodbye to Israel. The wooden coffin was on display at the Honolulu State Capitol. This honor was given to only three people in all of Hawaiian history (the first two were Senator Spark Matsunaga and Governor John A. Burns). Traditionally, his ashes were scattered over the endless blue sea of M'kua Bay of the Pacific Ocean July 12, 1997.
Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo"ole
Like Israel, there are people who help others. Including our smaller brothers.
Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole - "What A Wonderful World"
Iz ~ Ka Pua U "i
Israel Iz
Lyrics to "Panini Pua Kea" from the album "Facing Future"
'Auhea iho nei o Lei aloha
Ku`u hoa i ka nani a`o nâ pua
Eia mai au'o suipa lilo
Ka ipo i ke aka pua aniani
He aniani wale `o hâli`a loko
Nowelo mao'ole i ka pu'uwai
Nâ wai nô `oe e a pakele aku
I ka wai o ka panini pua kea
Ha'ina `ia mai ana ka puana
Ku`u ipo i ka nani a`o nâ pua
Israel Kamakawiwo "ole - Panini Pua Kea
israel kamakawiwo "ole - Margarita
Take Me Home Country Road - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
(silent recording - turn it up louder)
Bruddah Iz ~ White Sandy Beach
He was also distinguished by a unique manner of performing musical works and expressive appearance - the musician weighed more than 300 kg and at the same time sang in a very melodic and gentle voice. In the people, he received the nickname "Gentle Giant."
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole started playing music on a small four-stringed ukulele since childhood. His band was called The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau. He toured with her and released five albums.
Israel Kamakavivo'ole released his first record in 1990. She received fairly high marks from critics and first prizes. With the release of his second album "Facing Future", he received well-deserved fame far beyond the borders of his homeland. This album went platinum and was the first platinum album in Hawaiian history. Almost 2.5 million copies were sold in America alone. A medley of "Over The Rainbow" and "What A Wonderful World" has been featured in several films and TV series. These and other songs were awarded with awards and prizes.
But is this the only famous musician? The number of his fans is growing even after his death, not only due to the fact that his direction has become a generally recognized musical trend in Hawaii, but also due to his social activity. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole promoted and defended the rights of the Hawaiians as a free nation. Sincere love for his people made him a true national hero. He expressed his attitude in songs - and that was enough for many around him to feel a taste of freedom and feel pride in themselves and their nation. How did he do it?
Apparently, he became the bearer of the national idea, which made all the people around feel that they were involved in the freedom that Israel himself personified. And he generously shared this feeling with everyone, without entering into political battles and without creating any parties and movements. He just spread what made the people around him a little different: happier and more united.
In the last years of his life, Israel Kamakavivo'ole suffered greatly from obesity (his maximum weight was 344 kg with a height of 190 cm). He endured severe hospitalizations and died from respiratory diseases associated with overweight on June 26, 1997, having lived only 38 years. The day of Iz's funeral (as friends and fans affectionately called him) became a national day of mourning. On this day, the state flag of Hawaii was lowered by half. He was the third person in Hawaiian history to be so honored.
More than 10,000 people attended Iz's funeral. They gathered on July 12, 1997 on Makua Beach to see the great musician on his last journey and scatter his ashes over the Pacific Ocean.
Death did not stop his music. The popularity of Iz's music began to grow after his departure. The song "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" took on a life of its own. After the musician's death, she was licensed to numerous television shows and films.
The popularization of Hawaiian music throughout the world can be considered precisely his merit. It was he who gave the Hawaiian people the right to vote and even gave more - faith in freedom.