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Who is Arik Einstein?

Arik Einstein is considered one of the biggest Israeli singers of all times, and the spiritual
father of Israeli rock. Einstein was born and raised in Tel Aviv, and in his youth was the
Israeli champion in high jump and in shot put. His musical path began during his military
service in the Nahal band, after he passed an audition opposite Uri Zohar, who later
became his main partner in the cinema production. In 1959 Einstein finished his army
service and joined the satirical theater "Sambation" and the "Green Onion" band, whose
members were also Uri Zohar, Chaim Topol, Ilana Rubina and Yehoram Gaon. In 1960,
Einstein released a first solo diskette, which included four songs. During the years 1964-
1966 he was a member of the "Gesher HaYarkon" trio together with Benny Amdursky
and Yehoram Gaon. Only in 1966 did Einstein release his first full solo album – "Singing
for You". During that year Einstein began working with Shmulik Krauss and Josie Katz
in the "High Windows" ensemble, and the three released a joint album, which is
considered by many one of the best rock albums made in Israel.

Even though he was known as a singer and an actor, Einstein got his big break as a solo
artist only at the end of the 60s and beginning of the 70s, after he started working with a
young artist named Shalom Chanoch, and together they made "Pozi", "Shablul" and
"Plastelina", which defined the new Israeli rock and are considered till this day the most
important albums to come out in Israeli music. At the same time, the "Lool" group of
which Einstein was a member together with Shalom Chanoch, Uri Zohar, Zvi Shisel and
many others, created the film "Shablool" and the TV show "Lool", which became classics
ever since. Einstein has since managed to cooperate with many artists, whom he made full
partners in his creation, such as Yitzchak Klepter, Shem-Tov Levi, Micky Gavrielov, Yoni
Rechter, and others.

Arik Einstein was a real music pioneer, always full of love – love of man, of family, of
relatives, of friends, of places, of memories, of songs, and of the old stories.
Einstein also created and sang for children, and treated their songs are seriously as he
treated adults' songs. Arik performed on stage for no more than thirty years. His last
performance was on August 29, 1981, and since then he has focused only on recording.
But also when he didn't perform in front of an audience, Arik Einstein bequeathed future
generations of fans of all ages with the love for music, culture and the Hebrew language,
the love for sports and the love for others. He served as an example, a role model and a
symbol of a singer who was larger than life but also always remaining humble.

The voice and songs that Einstein, who refused to receive the Israel Prize, had,
accompany the people and the state at all times, from the days of the little state of Israel,
through the wars and triumphs, the difficult and sad times and the happiest of times. He
came out with more than 40 wonderful albums, which included many hundreds of songs.
His songs and albums created a new artistic reality or responded to it. He performed
songwriters' songs and good old Israel songs which he chose himself, and cooperated with
the biggest artists, whom he had discovered.

‫אור‬-‫לוקט ועובד ע"י צוות אולפן‬