Moshe Hillel, 'The Singing Paratrooper,' Dies at 80
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Israeli singer Moshe Hillel, known as "The Singing Paratrooper," died at age 80. He gained fame in the 1970s with hits like "The Boy with the Banjo" and "Do Not Fear Israel," and participated in numerous Mizrahi Song Festivals, winning first place in 1976. Hillel also acted in films such as "Kazablan" and performed the theme song for "Abba Ganuv." He continued performing and managing venues throughout his career, receiving a special award in 2022.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Singer Moshe Hillel, "The Singing Paratrooper," died at age 80.
- He rose to fame in the 1970s with hits "The Boy with the Banjo" and "Do Not Fear Israel."
- Hillel participated in multiple Mizrahi Song Festivals, winning in 1976.
- He acted in the film "Kazablan" and sang the theme for "Abba Ganuv."
- Hillel received a special award in 2022 for his contributions to music.
Israeli singer Moshe Hillel, widely known as "The Singing Paratrooper," has passed away at the age of 80. Hillel rose to prominence in the 1970s with hit songs like "The Boy with the Banjo" and "Do Not Fear Israel," and was a fixture at Mizrahi Song Festivals. He also appeared in the film "Kazablan" and performed the theme song for "Abba Ganuv."
Hillel was born in 1946 in Petah Tikva. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised in Kibbutz Ma'agan Michael before enlisting in the IDF's Paratroopers Brigade. After his service, he began performing at cultural events hosted by Dan Ben-Amotz at the "Hama'am" club in Jaffa. It was there that Ben-Amotz and Uri Zohar bestowed upon him the nickname "The Singing Paratrooper," which became his signature.
His career gained significant traction in 1970 with "The Boy with the Banjo," which topped the music charts. The following year, he secured third place at the Mizrahi Song Festival with "Yaakov Ha'Tamin," better known as "Do Not Fear Israel." He continued to achieve success at the festival, earning second place in 1972 with "Lo Ha'Bal Ha'Yofi" and first place in the annual chart in 1976 with "Chag Li."
Beyond music, Hillel also acted in film and theater productions. In 1973, he appeared in "Kazablan," playing a market vendor and performing a verse in the song "Kulanu Yehudim." During the Yom Kippur War, he performed "Al Shlosha Pish'ei Damasek" with the Golani Brigade's entertainment troupe. He also participated in Giora Godik's musical "Mazal Dagim" and sang "Chaim Gnuvim," the theme song for the film "Abba Ganuv" starring Yehuda Barak.
Hillel released an album featuring his festival songs and other tracks. In the 1980s and 1990s, he managed pubs and clubs, hosting artists and continuing to perform. After a hiatus from singing in 1996 to work at Ituran for eight years, he returned to the stage. In 2020, he won first place at "Ha'Shir Ha'Ba" festival, a successor to older song festivals, and received a special award there two years later.
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