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Music Video Tribute
be sure to watch Iz tribute 'Hawaiian Like
Me'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6JG9lzdGN0
Israel "Iz" Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole (May
20, 1959 -- June 26, 1997) (pronounced
[ka-maka-vi-vo-ole]) was an Hawaiian
musician.
He became famous outside Hawaii when his
album Facing Future was released in 1993 with
his medley of "Over the Rainbow" and "What a
Wonderful World", which was subsequently
featured in several films, television
programs, and commercials.
From childhood, his family called Israel by
his Hawaiian middle name, Kaʻanoʻi, the
"beloved one". His name would later become
the title name of his first solo album,
Kaʻanoʻi, and also foretells the greatness
of this "cherished one". It is interesting to
note here that part of his name, anoʻi, when
simplified to noʻi may be a contraction of
the Hawaiian word, nohi. Nohi means
"bright-colored, vivid, as the rainbow" (see
Hawaiian Dictionary, Pukui and Elbert). Nohi,
rainbow, beloved one, and cherished one are
powerful symbols in his life. Iz's recording
of the song "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"
would become renowned throughout the world
and continues to garner high acclaim. The
song has come to be known as Izʻs "signature
song", the most renowned of all his songs.
Kamakawiwo`ole was nicknamed "The Gentle
Giant" by his admirers. He was described as
always cheerful and positive, and he was best
known for his love of the land and of the
people of Hawaiʻi. Through his consummate
ukulele playing and incorporation of other
idioms (such as jazz and reggae), Iz remains
one of the major influences in Hawaiian music
over the last 15 years.
Israel's recording of "Over the Rainbow/What
a Wonderful World" reached #12 on Billboard's
Hot Digital Tracks chart the week of 1/31/04
(for the survey week ending 1/18/04),
possibly due to its use in the Adam Sandler
film 50 First Dates, and the Brad Pitt film
Meet Joe Black.
In 2006, a version of "Somewhere Over the
Rainbow", in an arrangement based on Iz', was
performed by The Worthless Peons in "My Way
Home", the 100th episode of Scrubs, over the
closing montage. A recording of the same song
by Iz was used in the closing scenes of the
final episode of Life on Mars (TV Series). It
is also a featured song in the movie Finding
Forrester. In 2002, the song was used to
powerful effect in the closing scenes of
Anthony Edwards' last appearance in ER as Dr.
Mark Greene, in the episode "On the Beach".
On week 8 of American Idol (season 7), Jason
Castro performed his own version of this song
except that he left out the "What a Wonderful
World" line, but still gave credit to Israel
for the song.
DEATH:
Throughout the later part of his life, Iz was
obese and at one point carried 758 pounds
(344 kg) on his 6 feet 2 inches (1.9 m)
frame. He endured several hospitalizations
and died of weight-related respiratory
illness on June 26, 1997 at 12:18 am at the
age of 38.
The Hawaiʻi State Flag flew at half-staff on
July 10, 1997, the day of Iz's funeral. His
koa wood coffin lay in state at the Capitol
building in Honolulu. He was the third person
in Hawaiian history to be accorded this honor
(the other two were Governor John A. Burns
and Senator Spark Matsunaga) and the only
non-politician. Over 10,000 people attended
his funeral. Thousands of fans gathered and
cheered as his ashes were scattered into the
Pacific Ocean at Mākua Beach on July 12,
1997.
On September 20, 2003, hundreds paid tribute
to Iz as a 200-pound bronze bust of the
revered singer was unveiled at the Waianae
Neighborhood Community Center on O'ahu. The
singer's widow, Marlene Kamakawiwo'ole, and
sculptor Jan-Michelle Sawyer were present for
the dedication ceremony.
Tags : Israel Kamakawiwo'ole somewhere over the rainbow |
