Rami and Rita: The Final Song?

"K'she'habayit Reik, Zeh Lo Meshaneh Im Ani Tzodek..."

First Orna and Moshe Datz, now this. Say it ain't so!

It was announced today that Rita and her husband Rami Kleinstein are separating after being together for 28 years. They were married in 1988. Apparently they are not yet getting divorced, just separating for now. Rami moved out of the house about a month ago.

More details:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3445322,00.html

I've always been a fan of both singers, and we've interviewed each of them a number of times over the years, so this was a bit disturbing to me. One of my favorite Israeli albums of all time is the joint concert album they released a few years ago. Still, in showbizz, I suppose it was always just a matter of time...

Sad news.

The Israel Hour: June 10, 2007

Join us for brand new music this week from Mazi Cohen and Yoni Bloch, and find out all you need to know to catch a professional BASEBALL game in Israel this summer! Also...is the new Sarit Hadad hit a bit too similar to a song released a few years ago? We're not sure. You'll have to let us know your thoughts!

Click:
http://www.israelhour.com/shows/shows07/061007.mp3

The Israel Hour: May 27, 2007

The Israel Hour Podcasts are back (at least for now)! And boy, this is a good one. This week, 60 minutes of BRAND NEW Israeli music! No oldies here...with your favorite artists like Sarit Hadad, Shlomo Artzi, Momy Levy, Miri Messika, Dana International, Ivri Lider, Ninette Tayeb and many more!

Click:
http://www.israelhour.com/shows/shows07/052707.mp3

Israel's 59th

I hope many of you outside of Israel have been listening to Israeli radio online today.

It just "feels" different today. You can tell that there is a festive atmosphere. That there is reason for elebration. That there is a clear sense of national pride.

For those of you in the USA, do you feel this way on July 4th?

Last night, I had the pleasure to host a special edition of The Israel Hour from the streets of Rutgers University during Rutgers Hillel's Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration. Hundreds of college students joined us as Israeli music blared through the streets and blue and white Israeli flags were everywhere. You could just feel the excitement in the air, and made me proud to be associated with the land of Israel.

As Israel celebrates its 59th birthday, please take a moment today to reflect on the wonderful things accomplished by this young nation in such a short period of time. In some small (or large) way, take the time to celebrate Israel today - its language, its culture, its history and especially its music.

And take the first step in planning your next visit. I plan to be there this summer. Will you join me?

CHAG SAMEACH!

In Honor of Yom Hazikaron

Today is Yom Hazikaron, Israel's Memorial Day in honor of fallen Israeli soldiers. To mark the day, Ynet invited Momy Levy and Ayala Ingedasht to record a new version of "Notza Baruach." It's a beautiful, moving rendition.

Check it out here.

Tipex Gets the Green Light!

Reshet Gimmel reports that Tipex's "Push the Button" WILL take part in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest! Best of luck!

Here's the article from The Jerusalem Post.

Song of the Year

Just announced on tonight's Musica 24 Israeli music awards...This year's song of the year is "Ve'at" by Harel Ska'at.

I'll post the complete list of winers ASAP.

Push the Button - Banned?

Not so fast, Kdam voters...the Eurovision committee might ban Tipex's "Push the Button" from the competition.

From an article on ynetnews.com:
"Eurovision Song Contest organizers say song by Teapacks seemingly refers indirectly to Iran's nuclear ambitions and its hard-line leader Ahmadinejad. Lead singer: Song could be about the terror in Russia or Spain, or the violence on the streets of England or London."

Great...Israel finally submits an interesting song, and now they can't even sing it. At least we're getting some buzz...

Read the article here.
(Thanks to Stuart for the tip.)

Push the Button

JUST ANNOUNCED: Tipex's "Push the Button" will represent Israel in the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest!

Hear Tipex's Four Potential Eurovision Songs Online!

Tipex has released four potential songs for this year's Eurovision Song Contest. As you might expect from Tipex, they're not your typical cheesy Eurovision songs.

The four songs are called:
1. Push The Button
2. Saalam Salami
3. Twelve Points
4. Voulez Vous

You can hear all of the songs at the link below. On the right side of the page, click on the button that says "English" to see an English version of the site.

http://eurovil.iba.org.il/

Thoughts?