Arik (Arieh) Einstein - biography

Arik (Arieh) Einstein (Hebrew: אריק איינשטיין‎, born 3 January 1939) is an Israeli singer-songwriter.

Einstein was a vocalist for Batzal Yarok (Green Onion), Shleeshiyat Gesher Hayarkon (Yarkon Bridge Trio) and Hahalonot Hagvohim (The High Windows). His collaboration with Shalom Hanoch and the Churchills planted the seeds for the first Israeli rock albums. He dominated the nascent Israeli Bohemia scene along with his best friend, Uri Zohar. Einstein's influence has been so profound that virtually all Israeli pop music can be traced back to musical projects in which he participated. He managed to infuse the new styles of Rock and Pop with a deep Israeli flavor.

Einstein wrote many of the songs that he performed, among them Ani VeAta (Me and You), Sa Le'at (Drive Slowly), Yoshev Al HaGader (Sitting on the Fence), Ima Sheli (My Mother), and Uf Gozal (Fly, Little Nestling).

Early life

Einstein was born in Tel Aviv, to Yaakov Einstein, a theatre performer. He was a member of Hashomer Hatzair, a left-wing Zionist youth movement. Einstein was Israel's Israeli junior champion for high jump. His father urged him to audition for an army entertainment troupe, and he was accepted into the Nahal Brigade troupe.

Music career

In 1959, after his release from the IDF, Einstein joined the Green Onion band and the Sambation theatre. In 1960, he released his first solo album. He sang in a band under the pseudonym "Ari Goren."

In the Yarkon Bridge Trio, he performed with Yehoram Gaon, Benny Amdursky and later Israel Gurion. In 1964, he played in the comedy film Sallah Shabbati, along with Chaim Topol, who was also from the Green Onion band.

In 1966, Einstein released the album Shar Bishvilekh (Singing for You), and joined The High Windows, where he performed pop songs.

In 1968, Einstein released his album Mazal Gdi (Capricorn), which was not very successful. He therefore looked for a new tune, and went on to produce the album Puzi with the Churchills, considered the first Israeli rock album.

Einstein was part of the early 1970s TV series Lool (Chicken Coop), a sketch and song show with an original format and a creative cast. The show had an off-the-wall sense of humor not unlike Monty Python's Flying Circus. However, it also featured songs written by some of the most prominent poets, and performed by some of the best singers Israel has ever produced. In spite of the fact that it had only four parts, it remains a cult-show to this day. The show, as well as movies such as Shablool (Snail), showcased Einstein both as a first line singer and comedian.

Einstein continues to write songs and release albums. In 2004, he released Shtei Gitarot Bas Tupim (Two Guitars, Bass, Drums).

Einstein sang a duet with David D'Or on D'Or's CD, Kmo HaRuach ("Like the Wind"), which was released on 27 March 2006.[1][2]

Discography

• 1966 – "Shar bishvileh" (Singing for you)
• 1968 – "Yashan vegamHadash" (Old and New)
• 1968 – "Mazal Gdi" (Capricornus)
• 1969 – "Puzi"
• 1970 – "Shablul" (Snail)
• 1970 – "Plastelina"
• 1971 – "Shirey Yeladim" (Kids' Songs)
• 1971 – "Badeshe etzel Avigdor" (At Avigdor's on the grass)
• 1972 – "Yasmin" (Jasmin)
• 1973 – "Hashanim Harishonot" (The First Years)
• 1973 – "Eretz Yisrael Hayeshana veHatova" (Good Old Land of Israel)
• 1974 – "Sa leat" (Drive slowly)
• 1975 – "Shirim" (Songs)
• 1976 – "Eretz Yisrael Hayeshana veHatova bet" (Good Old Land of Israel part 2)
• 1976 – "Yeladim" (Kids)
• 1976 – "Haahava panim rabot la" (Love has many faces)
• 1977 – "Eretz Yisrael Hayeshana veHatova Gimel" (Good Old Land of Israel part 3)
• 1978 – "Leket" (Medley)
• 1978 – "Yeladudes" (Kidoes)
• 1980 – "Eretz Yisrael Hayeshana veHatova-Meshirey Sasha Argov" (Good Old Land of Israel-Sasha Argov's Songs)
• 1980 – "Hamush Bemishkafaim" (Armed With Glasses)
• 1981 – "Leket Leyladim" (Collection for Kids)
• 1982 – "Yoshev Al Hagader" (Sitting on the Fence)
• 1983 – "Shavir" (Fragile)
• 1984 – "Pesek Zman" (Time Out)
• 1984 – "Nostalgia-Eretz Yisrael Hayeshana veHatova" (Nostalgia-Good Old Land of Israel)
• 1985 – "Totzeret Haaretz" (Made in Israel)
• 1986 – "Ohev Lihiyot Babait" (Love Being Home)
• 1987 – "Al Gvul Haor" (On the Boundary of the Light)
• 1988 – "meshirey Avraham Halfi" (Avraham Halfi's Songs)
• 1989 – "hashanim Harishonot" (The First Years)
• 1989 – "Haiti Paam Yeled" (I was a Boy once)
• 1992 – "Nostalgia-Eretz Yisrael Hayeshana veHatova" (Nostalgia-Good Old Land of Israel)
• 1992 – "Haarye, Hayona, veTarnegolet Kchula" (The Lion, The Dove, and a Blue Chicken)
• 1995 – "Yesh bi Ahava" (Filled With Love)
• 1996 – "Ktzat lakahat Hazara" (Take Back a Little)
• 1997 – "Lean Parchu Haparparim" (Where Have the Butterflies Gone)
• 1999 – "Muscat" (Muscat-types of grapes)
• 2002 – "Yahsan vegam Hadash-remastered" (Old and New)
• 2002 – "Shemesh Retuva" (Wet Sun)
• 2004 – "Shablool-remastered" (Snail)
• 2004 – "Shtei Gitarot, Bass, Tupim" (Two guitars, bass, drums)
• 2006 – "Rega'im" (Moments)
• 2007 – "Kol Ha Tov Shebaolam" (All the good things in the world)

With the High Windows:

• 1966 – "Hahalonot hagvohim" (The High Windows)

Bibliography

• 1981 - Arik Einstein: "Songbook" (editors: Arik Einstein and Michael Tapuach)
• 1989 - Lool: "Lool" (editors: Arik Einstein, Zvi Shisel)
• 1991 - Arik Einstein: "Second Songbook" (editors: Arik Einstein and Michael Tapuach; music editor: Bart Berman)
• 2006 - Arik Enstein: "Zo Ota Ha-ahava" (editor: Ali Mohar)