Erez Halevi, Influential Israeli Pop Musician, Dies at 71

Israeli musician and songwriter Erez Halevi, a prominent and original voice in 1980s Israeli pop, has died at the age of 71. Halevi was known for his hits such as "Kach Bara Otach HaTeva" (Thus Nature Created You), "HaDayagim" (The Fishermen), "HaLayla" (The Night), and "KsheNifgashnu Shanit" (When We Met Again).

Born in 1954 in Rehovot, Halevi began playing guitar at 15, influenced by artists like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, and Tim Hardin. He started performing in pubs, initially covering other artists before presenting his own original material. He also studied Spanish guitar and flamenco music, participated in the program "Tshuot Rishonot" (First Returns), and received a scholarship from composer Moshe Vilensky.

Halevi's breakthrough came after meeting musician Matti Caspi, who produced his debut album, "HaLayla," released in 1984. All songs on the album were written and composed by Halevi, with Caspi handling musical production and arrangements. The album blended pop, soft rock, folk influences, and melancholic melodies, complemented by Halevi's distinctive high-pitched voice. It garnered significant radio play and produced some of his most recognizable songs.

Despite the success of his debut, Halevi did not replicate its commercial achievements. His song "Kach Bara Otach HaTeva" became particularly significant, evolving beyond its original context. In a 2008 interview, Halevi explained he wrote it in response to reactions he received early in his career, when people questioned why a singer of Yemenite descent was creating Western music instead of Mizrahi music. The song became an anthem for self-acceptance and freedom, later embraced by the LGBTQ+ community and covered by artists like Ivri Lider and Dudu Tassa.

Halevi continued to create and perform away from the spotlight. He formed a band called "Lehem" in the early 1990s and released his second album, "Ma'amatz Beineim" (Intermediate State), in 1994, which he was reportedly unhappy with. He released "Eretz Atikat Yomim" (Ancient Land) in 1998 and "HaSha'ar Niftach" (The Gate Opens) in 2008. In 2009, he staged the show "Yom Rodef Blues" (A Day Chases the Blues), which led to a double live album. In 2010, he featured on Eli Botner's album, performing "HaYam Osef Dma'ot" (The Sea Gathers Tears). In August 2012, the project "Michtavim BaBokek" (Letters in a Bottle) saw various Israeli artists perform songs written by Halevi, reintroducing his work to a wider audience.

Halevi is survived by three children. His sister-in-law remembered him as a unique and sensitive artist who touched many hearts with his wonderful and unforgettable songs.