Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole ‘IZ’ ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ HQ

Posted on October 7th, 2009 by admin

Please check out my lastest music video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvDThCQFbUA

WITH ORIGINAL SOUND! Official ‘SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW’ Music Video by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

download @ http://www.myspace.com/danielavideo
buy album http://www.amazon.com/Facing-Future-Israel-IZ-Kamakawiwoole/dp/B00000JFG3

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.

Duration : 0:3:39


[youtube 0ltAGuuru7Q]

25 Responses

  1. BigManBlakeslee Says:

    Thats just amazing! …
    Thats just amazing! What a voice. when i first heard this it was just awesome

  2. pokemonnam123 Says:

    i love his music …
    i love his music r.i.p Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole truely a music legend

  3. 2323marius Says:

    love this song!!
    love this song!!

  4. omkprincess Says:

    people who dont …
    people who dont have respect get the off this fucken page shhit have respect wat the did he do to u

  5. aaron92845 Says:

    beutifal!!
    beutifal!!

  6. djsamgar Says:

    Con esa cancion mi …
    Con esa cancion mi hija se duerme y creo que tiene lindos sueños, es simplemente bella su interpretacion.

  7. caligonico Says:

    Muy bien
    Muy bien

  8. ExtraHerb1 Says:

    Ich mag IZ…:)
    Ich mag IZ…:)

  9. wackyjabber Says:

    Perfect! Simply …
    Perfect! Simply perfect!

  10. billettino91 Says:

    he s the best
    he s the best

  11. chrischi19821 Says:

    Ich liebe dieses …
    Ich liebe dieses Video…
    Schade dass der Interpret nicht mehr unter uns weilt, er hatte eine einzigartige stimme und viel gefühl für musik
    >einfach großartig :)

  12. morenaquervc Says:

    Linda música! adorei
    Linda música! adorei

  13. Nubekiller36 Says:

    R.I.P BEST SONG …
    R.I.P BEST SONG EVER

  14. AintFair83 Says:

    One of my favorite …
    One of my favorite versions of this lovely song.

  15. filodat Says:

    mitico
    mitico

  16. filipescuflorin Says:

    so beautiful song! …
    so beautiful song! I just heard it on radio and searched for it. I didn`t knew who it was singing it

  17. jakikin Says:

    Que hermosa canción …
    Que hermosa canción, su voz es angelical :)

  18. gol2qyaguero Says:

    in the second 2:40, …
    in the second 2:40, is when they are scattering their ashes at sea, in Makua beach

  19. OhShesJustBeinMiley Says:

    best version!
    best version!

  20. gol2qyaguero Says:

    kamakawiwo’ole IZ …
    kamakawiwo’ole IZ R.I.P
    God rest his soul, that is pure style!

  21. tipper2001 Says:

    absolutely …
    absolutely beautiful, makes me feel like nothing matters only life and my family

  22. och1000 Says:

    perfecto!!!!!
    perfecto!!!!!

  23. Lufty1978 Says:

    Great Song, great …
    Great Song, great voice… but SAD!!!!: After trying to get more songs from this guy I noticed that he’s dead. I am sure he now has found his mentioned beautyful place… may he rest in peace!

  24. nice2meetyou123 Says:

    beautiful song but …
    beautiful song but a little to flat..^^
    *5*

  25. SuperKate55 Says:

    make me cry

    T-T I …
    make me cry

    T-T I miss u mum

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