Lenny Solomon (American-Israeli musician)

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Lenny Solomon (born 1960 or 1961) [1] is an American-Israeli musician and founder of Jewish rock band Shlock Rock.

Contents

Early life and education

Solomon was born in New York to a family with cantors on both sides going back generations. [2] He studied music and accounting at Queens College. [3] Solomon joked that he wanted to be an accountant, but his parents pressured him to go to Juilliard and become a musician. [1]

Career

In 1985, after three years as an accountant, Solomon "looked at the rest of my life as an accountant and decided that I should at least give music a chance." [2] He chose the band's name because "'Shlock' means secondhand, and half the music we play is secondhand rock with new words." [4] Shlock Rock's first album, "Learning is Good", was released in 1986. [4] Their 1990 original song, "Minyan Man", was described as Shlock Rock's "most enduring hit" [1] and was later remade with the Maccabeats. [5]

Shlock Rock parodies popular secular songs, substituting new, Jewish religious-themed lyrics for the originals, and is "best known for songs that educate and entertain through parody." [6] [7] According to Solomon, the band pays licensing fees to originators for every parody album, though it is unclear if this is legally required. [8] Solomon has viewed his impact as helping teach Jewish concepts, promoting positive feelings about Judaism, and inspiring people to learn more about their Jewish heritage. [8] After moving to Israel in 1996, Solomon continued to perform in North America as well as in Israel. [1]

In 2011, Shlock Rock released Shabbat in Liverpool, "adapting Shabbat services to the tunes of Lennon and McCartney." [9] In its 25th anniversary year, the band released a Broadway compilation called “Still Not Quite on Broadway” that features songs from “Wicked,” “Hairspray,” “Rent” and “The Sound of Music.” [8]

A 2024 documentary about Solomon, “The King of Shlock", won best short at Jerusalem's Maale Film School's festival. [10] Though Solomon was absent for health reasons, the win was received by the crowd with cheers of “Keep on Shlockin’!” [5] The film was featured at the 2025 Doc Aviv film festival. [11] In the film, Jewish rapper Etan G. says Solomon belongs in the 'Mount Rushmore of Jewish music' with Mordechai Ben David, Avraham Fried, and Shlomo Carlebach. [5]

Personal life

Solomon has four children and is a grandfather. [1] He lives in the Israeli city of Bet Shemesh. [12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Stub, Zev (2025-05-20). "In 'King of Shlock' documentary, an Orthodox rocker tries to parody like it's 1999". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  2. 1 2 Rabkin, Richard (2009-05-09). "Schlock Rock Rocks". Aish.com. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  3. ↑ "Shlock Rock Lenny keeps 'em bopping after two decades". JEWISH TELEGRAPH. 2009. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  4. 1 2 Goldberg, Jennifer (February 11, 2004). "That old time shlock 'n' roll". Jewish News of Greater Phoenix. Vol. 56, no. 21. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 Guetta, Or (2025-05-11). "The American-Israeli Musician Who Redefined Jewish Rock and Roll". Davar (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  6. ↑ Singer, David (2001). American Jewish Year Book: 2001. American Jewish Committee. p. 113. ISBN   978-0-87495-116-5. 'I've Got a Strong Desire'...recounts all of Jewish history in 42 lines...
  7. ↑ Ettinger, Steven (2003). Torah 24/7: a timely guide for the modern spirit. Devora Publishing. ISBN   978-1-930143-73-9. ...describing 4000 years of Jewish history
  8. 1 2 3 Feldstein, Michael (2012-01-26). "25 years later, Shlock Rock is still rockin'". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  9. ↑ Harkov, Lahav (2011-01-13). "The Weekly Schmooze: Sing out, Streisand!". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  10. ↑ Stub, Zev (2025-05-20). "In 'King of Shlock' documentary, an Orthodox rocker tries to parody like it's 1999". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  11. ↑ Steinberg, Jessica (2025-05-15). "Hostages, flamingos and the politics of Jerusalem stone to feature at DocAviv fest". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  12. ↑ Rullo, David (2016-03-02). "Repurposed classics inspire at Shlock Rock's local show". The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
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