Recording over 500 songs during his life time, Arik Einstein will be forever considered as The Voice of Israel. This week we are marking two years since the passing of the man who wrote and sang the soundtrack of Israel.
Einstein was born in Tel Aviv during the British mandate period over Palestine. His songs seemed to capture the excitement and the beauty of “Old Israel”, the birth of a country (even if only retroactively), the hardships of wars and the acceptance of huge cultural experiences together with family oriented and personal love songs.
Even though he was popular during the late 50’s when he joined the best known army band (it was cool at the time), his big break was when he landed a part in Salah Shabati, the famous Israeli film of the time. For a few decades after that Einstein sang in different bands and led a magnificent solo career, during this time he broke barriers in Israeli culture and his popularity was uncanny.
It is impossible to even mention Arik and his work without mentioning that his last official concert was in 1981. Something changed after that, and he decided he “prefers to stay at home with his tea and his books” (as sang in one of his big hits). He refused to go out to the public eye except for very seldom occasions since then and he refused millions and millions of shekel contract in order to live in peace. His humility was unparalleled, not only for a rock star but for any human being.
Einstein died suddenly on November 26 2013 at the age of 74, and was buried in Tel Aviv where he was born, lived his whole life and eventually died.
The morning after his passing Haaretz magazine declared that Einstein “was our Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Bruce Springsteen all rolled into one, a singer of ballads and anthems and especially love songs that seduced entire generations”.
We are excited to invite you to a tribute to this great man’s voice, lyrics and spirit. Even if Hebrew is not your mother tongue, seeing the light in people’s eyes while singing his tunes is always extraordinary.
Arik Einstein Tribute concert – led by Daniel Zacai and Haim Weiss
8:30 pm, Thursday November 26, in The Post Hostel lobby.
20 nis in advance, 30 nis day of the event. Tickets are waiting for you at the hostels reception.
