Israel Song Festival Festival HaZemer VeHaPizmon | |
---|---|
Genre | Pop music, etc. |
Location(s) | Israel |
Years active | 1960–1980 |
Founders | Israel Broadcasting Authority |
Israel Song Festival (in Hebrew: Festival HaZemer VeHaPizmon, Hebrew : פסטיבל הזמר והפזמון, lit. Israel Song and Chorus Festival) was an annual music competition organized by public broadcasters Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA). In its final years the competition served as the Israeli national preselection of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The idea for the competition came from Kol Yisrael producer Israel Daliyot after seeing people celebrating Domenico Modugno's victory in the 1959 Sanremo Music Festival while on vacation in Rome. [1] Daliyot approached the Israel Broadcasting Service, and with involvement of the Prime Minister's Office, the first festival was held as part of the 1960 Independence Day celebrations.
The festival became an annual fixture in the Independence Day celebration over the following years, although it was not held in 1962, 1962 and 1968, when it was replaced by other variety shows. In 1975 the festival was cancelled by the IBA director-general Itzhak Livni, as he considered the festival's songs to be of low quality, [2] and was replaced by another singing festival that didn't air to television. At 1976, there was another replacement festival called "The singing celebration", which worked differently; there was no competition, and the participants performed 2 songs each, one that was already known and one brand new. After two years of absence the festival was reinstated, but not was held earlier in the year, during Purim. In 1978 the festival was designated as the national preselection of the Eurovision Song Contest, and until the festival was cancelled, in 1981, the competition was held between January and March.
After the 1980 Festival the competition was cancelled and was replaced by Kdam Eurovision as the national preselection of the Eurovision. Attempts were made to reinstate the competition, first in 1987, as part of the Arad Hebrew Music Festival, and three times more in 2000–2001, 2005–2006 and 2013. [3]
Between 1960 and 1966 each song was performed twice, once by a male singer and once by a female singer, in order to give emphasis on the song itself rather the performer. In 1967 the format was changed so each song was performed once. Following the main competition an intermission was held during which the viewing crowd submitted its vote for the winning song, while an interval act was performed. In 1969 votes from five ballots around Israel were added to the total of votes.
Year | Song | Artist | Lyricist | Composer |
---|---|---|---|---|
1960 | "Erev Ba" (ערב בא) | Aliza Kashi, Shimon Bar | Oded Avisar | Arie Levanon |
1961 | "Saeni Imcha" (שאני עמך) | Esther Ofarim, Gideon Singer | Pnina Avni | Zvi Avni |
1964 | "Yaldati Imri" (ילדתי אמרי) | Benny Amdurski & Nechama Hendel, Rinat Choir | Moshe Dor | Ya'akov Hollander |
1965 | "Ayelet HaChen" (איילת החן) | Arik Einstein, Yafa Yarkoni | Oded Betzer | Nathan Shachar |
1966 | "Leil Stav" (ליל סתיו) | Arik Einstein, Yafa Yarkoni | Haya Cohen | Haim Tzur |
1967 | "Mi Yode'a Kama" (מי יודע כמה) | Mike Burstyn | Rimona Di-Nur | Ya'akov Hollander |
1969 | "Balada LaChovesh" (בלדה לחובש) | Yehoram Gaon | Dan Almagor | Shimon Cohen |
1970 | "Pit'om Achshav, Pit'om HaYom" (פתאום עכשיו, פתאום היום) | Shlomo Artzi | Tirza Atar | Ya'akov Hollander |
1971 | "Rak HaYare'ach" (רק הירח) | Ilanit | Shimrit Orr | Dan Amihud |
1972 | "Tov Li LaShir" (טוב לי לשיר) | HaTov, HaRa VeHana'ara | Ehud Manor | Shmulik Kraus |
1973 | "At VeAni Noladnu BeTashach" (את ואני נולדנו בתש"ח) | Edna Lev | Moti Giladi | Yigal Bashan |
1974 | "HaBalada Al Baruch Jamili" (הבלדה על ברוך ג'מילי) | Shlomo Artzi and Mrs. Apple Group | Shlomo Artzi | Gidi Koren |
1977 | "Rakefet" (רקפת) | Ruhama Raz | Talma Alyagon-Rose | Moni Amarillo |
1978 | "A-Ba-Ni-Bi" (אבניבי) | Izhar Cohen and Alphabeta | Ehud Manor | Nurit Hirsh |
1979 | "Hallelujah" (הללויה) | Milk and Honey | Shimrit Orr | Kobi Oshrat |
1980 | "Pizmon Hozer" (פזמון חוזר) | The Brothers & the Sisters | Gidi Koren | Gidi Koren |
1987 | "Yona Im Aleh Shel Za'it" (יונה עם עלה של זית) | Southern Command Entertainment Group | Talma Alyagon-Rose | Talma Alyagon-Rose |
2000 | "Tfilat HaOr" (תפילת האור) | Aki Avni & Haya Samir | Nurit Bat Shachar-Tzafrir | Yoshi Sade |
2001 | "Rikud HaChayim" (ריקוד החיים) | Keren Shani | Avner Eshkol | Itzhak Eliezrov |
2005 | "Mishehu Gadol" (מישהו גדול) | Shai Gabso | Hana Goldberg | Dudi Levi |
2006 | "Im At BaInyan" (אם את בעניין) | Malta Baya | Assaf Shalem | Yair Eldar |
2013 | "Tachzeri" (תחזרי) | Pe'er Tasi | Pe'er Tasi | Dudu Matana |
Years | Presenter(s) |
---|---|
1960–1971 | Itzhak Shimoni |
1972 | Yossi Banai & Rivka Michaeli |
1973–1980 | Rivka Michaeli |
1987 | Daniel Pe'er |
2000 | Moni Moshonov & Miki Kam |
2001 | Moni Moshonov & Yael Abecassis |
2005 | Erez Tal & Adi Ashkenazi |
2006 | Rivka Michaeli & Alma Zack |
2013 | Uri Gottlieb |
Israel was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song "Together We Are One", composed by Eddie Butler, with lyrics by Orly Burg and Osnat Zabag, and performed by Butler himself. The Israeli participating broadcaster, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), selected its entry through the national final Kdam Eurovision 2006. The competition took place on 15 March 2006 and featured eleven entries. "Ze Hazman" (זה הזמן) performed by Eddie Butler emerged as the winner after achieving the highest score following the combination of votes from four regional juries and a public vote. The song title was later translated from Hebrew to English for Eurovision and was titled "Together We Are One". Butler had represented Israel in 1999 as part of the band Eden.
Israel was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 with the song "HaSheket SheNish'ar" (השקט שנשאר), written by Pini Aaronbayev, Eyal Shachar, and Ben Green, and performed by Shiri Maimon. The Israeli participating broadcaster, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), selected its entry through the national final Kdam Eurovision 2005. The competition took place on 2 March 2005 and featured fourteen entries. "HaSheket SheNish'ar" performed by Shiri Maimon emerged as the winner after gaining the most points following the combination of votes from five regional juries and a regional televote.
The Kdam Eurovision, in short known as the Kdam was the Israeli national preselection of the Eurovision Song Contest. The competition was first introduced in 1981 and ran until 2014.
Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 with the song "Push the Button" written by Kobi Oz. The song was performed by the band Teapacks, which was internally selected by the Israeli broadcaster Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) in January 2007 to compete at the 2007 contest in Helsinki, Finland. The song Teapacks would perform at Eurovision was selected through the national final Kdam Eurovision 2007 which took place on 27 February 2007 that featured four songs. "Push the Button" emerged as the winning song after achieving the highest score following the combination of votes from an eleven-member jury panel, an online vote and a public vote.
Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song "The Fire in Your Eyes" written by Dana International and Shay Kerem. The song was performed by Boaz Ma'uda, who was internally selected by the Israeli broadcaster Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) in collaboration with the commercial broadcaster Keshet in November 2007 to compete at the 2008 contest in Belgrade, Serbia, The song Ma'uda would perform at Eurovision was selected through the national final Kdam Eurovision 2008 which took place on 15 March 2010 that featured five songs. "Ke'ilu Kan" emerged as the winning song after achieving the highest score following the combination of votes from two regional juries, two thematical jury groups, a jury panel and a public vote. The song title was later translated from Hebrew to English for the Eurovision Song Contest and was titled "The Fire in Your Eyes".
Moshe Datz is an Israeli singer, composer and producer.
Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "There Must Be Another Way" written by Noa, Mira Awad and Gil Dor. The song was performed by Noa and Mira Awad, who were internally selected by the Israeli broadcaster Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) in January 2009 to compete at the 2009 contest in Moscow, Russia. The song Noa and Awad would perform at Eurovision was selected through the national final Kdam Eurovision 2009 which took place on 2 March 2009 that featured four songs. "Einaiych " emerged as the winning song after achieving the highest score following the combination of votes from two regional juries, a jury panel and a public vote.
Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with the song "Milim" written by Tomer Hadadi and Noam Horev. The song was performed by Harel Skaat, who was internally selected by the Israeli broadcaster Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) in collaboration with the commercial broadcaster Reshet in December 2009 to compete at the 2010 contest in Oslo, Norway. The song Skaat would perform at Eurovision was selected through the national final Kdam Eurovision 2010 which took place on 15 March 2010 that featured four songs. "Milim" emerged as the winning song after achieving the highest score following the combination of votes from four thematical jury groups, a jury panel and a public vote.
Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with the song "Ding Dong" written and performed by Dana International, who had previously represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998 where she won the contest with the song "Diva". The Israeli entry for the 2011 contest in Düsseldorf, Germany was selected through the national final Kdam Eurovision 2011, organised by the Israeli broadcaster Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA). The competition took place on 8 March 2011 that featured ten entries. "Ding Dong" performed by Dana International emerged as the winner after achieving the highest score following the combination of votes from three thematical jury groups, a twelve-member jury panel and a public vote.
Israel was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song "Leha'amin" (להאמין) written by David D'Or, Ofer Meiri, and Ehud Manor, and performed by David D'Or. The Israeli participating broadcaster, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), selected its entry through the national final Kdam Eurovision 2004, after having previously selected the performer internally. The national final took place on 5 February 2004 and featured four songs. "Leha'amin" emerged as the winning song after gaining the most points following the combination of a jury vote, an audience vote and a public televote.
Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the song "Time" written by Ran Shem-Tov and Shiri Hadar. The song was performed by the band Izabo, which was internally selected by the Israeli broadcaster Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) to compete at the 2012 contest in Baku, Azerbaijan. Izabo and the song "Time" were announced as the Israeli entry on 7 February 2012. The song was presented to the public on 1 March 2012.
Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song "Rak Bishvilo" written by Chen Harari and Gal Sarig. The song was performed by Moran Mazor. The Israeli entry for the 2013 contest in Malmö, Sweden was selected through the national final Kdam Eurovision 2013, organised by the Israeli broadcaster Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA). The five show competition consisting of three semi-finals and a Second Chance round concluded with a final on 7 March 2013 that featured ten entries. "Rak Bishvilo" performed by Moran Mazor emerged as the winner after achieving the highest score following the combination of votes from a seven-member jury panel and a public vote.
Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 with the song "Same Heart" written by Rami Talmid. The song was performed by Mei Finegold, who was internally selected by the Israeli broadcaster Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) to compete at the 2014 contest in Copenhagen, Denmark. The song Finegold would perform at Eurovision was selected through the national final Kdam Eurovision 2014 that featured three songs submitted by the public and Finegold herself, which were presented to the public via the release of their official music videos during a show on 27 February 2014. "Same Heart" emerged as the winning song on 5 March 2014 after gaining 55% of the public vote.
Israel was represented at the qualifying round for the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 with the song "Shalom Olam" (שלום עולם), written by Eyal Madan and Doran Vitenberg, and performed by Galit Bell. The Israeli participating broadcaster, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), selected its entry through Kdam Eurovision 1996. The entry failed to make it through the pre-selection round.
Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "Golden Boy", written by Doron Madali. The song was performed by Nadav Guedj. Israeli broadcaster Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) collaborated with the commercial broadcaster Keshet in order to select the Israeli entry for the 2015 contest in Vienna, Austria. The reality singing competition HaKokhav HaBa, which was organised by Keshet, was used to select the artist that would represent Israel. Nadav Guedj emerged as the winner of the competition in a final that took place in February 2015. The song "Golden Boy" was later internally selected as the song Guedj would perform at Eurovision and was presented to the public in March 2015.
Israel was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1981 with the song "Halayla" (הלילה), composed by Shuki Levy, with lyrics by Shlomit Aharon and Yuval Dor, and performed by the band Habibi. The Israeli participating broadcaster, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), selected its entry through Kdam Eurovision 1981. IBA returned at the Eurovision Song Contest, after withdrawing from the 1980 contest because of National Day of Remembrance.
Israel was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1983 with the song "Hi" (חי), composed by Avi Toledano, with lyrics by Ehud Manor, and performed by Ofra Haza. The Israeli participating broadcaster, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), selected its entry for the contest through Kdam Eurovision 1983.
Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "Made of Stars" written by Doron Medalie. The song was performed by Hovi Star. Israeli broadcaster Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) collaborated with the commercial broadcaster Keshet in order to select the Israeli entry for the 2016 contest in Stockholm, Sweden. The reality singing competition HaKokhav HaBa L'Eirovizion, which was organised by Keshet and Tedy Productions, was used to select the Israeli entry. The fifteen show competition concluded with a final on 3 March 2016 that featured four performers who were matched with potential Eurovision songs. "Made of Stars" performed by Hovi Star emerged as the winner following a public vote.
Yarkon Bridge Trio, or The Yarkon Trio, was an Israeli vocal group which operated from 1963 to 1966.
The 1960 Israel Song Festival was the 1st edition of the annual Israel Song Festival. It took place in Tel Aviv and was held at Heichal HaTarbut on 2 May 1960 as part of the 1960 Independence Day celebrations. The show was hosted by Itzhak Shimoni.