Israel 'IZ' Kamakawiwo'ole
Biography
The most popular entertainer in Hawaii until his tragic death in 1997, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole formed the traditional Makaha Sons as a teenager in the mid-'70s, went out on his own in more of a contemporary style by the 1990s, and released four immensely popular recordings before passing away just after the release of 1996's N Dis Life. Born in the Honolulu suburb of Kaimuki, Kamakawiwo'ole later moved to nearby Makaha. In allegiance to his new home, Israel formed the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau with brother Skippy plus Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Sam Gray and Jerome Koko. The Makaha Sons recorded No Kristo in 1976 and released five more albums during as many years, though Skippy's death of a heart attack in 1982 came as quite a blow to his younger brother. The group soldiered on, and became Hawaii's most popular traditional group with breakout albums like 1984's Puana Hou Me Ke Aloha and its follow-up, 1986's Ho'ola.
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole decided to begin recording on his own with 1990's Ka 'Ano'i, which became the most popular Hawaiian album of the year. Though he continued his solo career, by 1991 he had recorded with the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau again, and that year's Makaha Bash 3 set still more records in Hawaii, thanks in part to the single "Broken Promise." Another Makaha LP, Ho'oluana, appeared in 1992, though it was the last with Israel. His second solo effort, Facing Future, appeared in 1993, and 1995's E Ala E featured a reunited duet with Skippy, thanks to studio technology. Israel continued to win awards and sell very well with 1996's N Dis Life, but his ballooning weight problem (at times, he weighed over 750 pounds) caused his early death at the age of 38. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
If there is one thing I could change about Pandora, it would be to change the way they limit your words when trying to make a comment about an artist and share that comment with others who also might like that artist. Here's a note to Pandora: Can't you just maybe get a bigger server? It's not exactly rocket science as they say.
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Yes, I cry too when I hear this song. With much respect for the loss of your mother, I cry simply because of the beauty of the song and more importantly, the beauty of the man. Most people who like IZ like his music. Understandab l e . His music is great and emotional and moving. Most of us are affected by it. I most certainly am. I'm sure you are too. What I am most affected by though is the man behind the music. This big man truly had a big heart. He loved all people. He forgave all
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I always cry when I hear this we played this song at mothers funeral she was so loved that there was standing room only,...miss her this song was a beautiful celebration of her life.
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The song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was the song that they played at his funeral, so every time I here this... I think of that. It kinda does make me wanna cry.
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I first heard this song on the movie "50 First Dates" and feel in love with his smooth tempoed rendition. I can listen to his over and over again. It's so calming.
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I love him. This single song alone is a profound legacy; deep human compassion brought to life. It's tragic that his demons drove him to obesity and an early death. Perhaps his heart and soul were too sensitive to deal with the harshness and cruelties of the world. A truly great artist!
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this song makes me cry everytime i hear it! i can't wait to play it in my baby's room :D
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A wonderful and inspirationa l singer who left this plane much too early.
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we went to hawaii one year and alot of the songs they played was his.instantl y i liked his songs.its sad he died.his hele on kauai reminds me of our visit to the island
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This dude is amazing! Its the only remake of Somewhere Over The Rainbow i like!! Its sad that he dide though. ):
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dis guy get choke-kine good music...
r.i.p braddah iz......alon e in iz world :) |
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No one else can encapsulate all the beauty and nature of Hawai'i...ju s t one note and I'm transported back to the Islands...Th a n k you, Iz!
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Beautiful soul, as noted. We do need more Hawaiian artists on Pandora (there is even a Grammy category of them). Such beautiful music. Thanks for having it, Pandora, but please bring on some more!!! (recent winning Hawaiian slack key guitar artists are beyond awesome.) Legends is a great CD of the same. IZ had his own genre, though, never to be "beat" due to his unconditiona l love expressed in song. Bless him.
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he is a wonderful artist of music and a wonderful person for sharing his voice with evryone else. It's sad that he died but he left his music so we could appreciate it even when he no longer can .
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Beautiful voice, beautiful Man. We were blessed with him for such a short time. His love for God, mankind and his people was Great. May God keep him in his love.
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I know IZ is one of the 144,000 who will return to govern when Jesus returns. His musical messages of love are unmistakeabl e . Listen to them and heed the words. We really need to care about each other, time is running out.
"The greatest of these is Love." God Bless. |
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I miss you brother Iz. You left us too soon, but you left us with some great music to remember you by. Until we meet again. Mahalo. RIP.
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I DO NOT CARE FOR THIS ARTIST AT ALL!!!! I'M SORRY HE DIED, BUT IF I NEVER HIM AGAIN IT WII BE TOO SOON, THANKS. P.S. I LOVE PANDORA.
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Izzy started the whole hawaiian-ska thing ...that has transcended into the the Jack Johnson, Eric Hutchinson, Donovan Frankenriete r , and even Jason Mraz sound..a great voice and the simple ukelele!!
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this guy is the sh*t, bet he ate alot of poi. sing on big fella - u r loved
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