Moshe Hillel, 'The Singing Paratrooper,' Dies at 80
Translated & summarized from N12 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." 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 an award in 2022.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Singer Moshe Hillel, "The Singing Paratrooper," died at the age of 80.
- He rose to fame in the 1970s with hits like "The Boy with the Banjo."
- Hillel participated in multiple Mizrahi Song Festivals, winning in 1976.
- He also acted in the film "Kazablan" and sang the theme for "Abba Ganuv."
- Hillel received a special award in 2022 for his contributions to music.
Moshe Hillel, the singer known as "The Singing Paratrooper," has passed away at the age of 80. Hillel rose to prominence in the 1970s with hits 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. After serving in the Paratroopers Brigade of the IDF, 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 gave him the nickname "The Singing Paratrooper."
His song "The Boy with the Banjo" topped the music charts in 1970. The following year, he placed third in the Mizrahi Song Festival with "Yaakov Ha'tamim," also known as "Do Not Fear Israel." He achieved second place in 1972 with "Lo Ha'bal Ha'yofi" and won first place in the annual charts in 1976 with "Chag Li."
Beyond music, Hillel also acted in film and theater. He appeared in the 1973 film "Kazablan" as a market vendor and performed a verse in the song "Kulanu Yehudim." During the Yom Kippur War, he sang with the Golani Brigade's entertainment troupe. He also performed in Giora Godik's musical "Mazal Dagim" and sang "Chaim Gnuvim," the theme song for the film "Abba Ganuv."
Hillel released an album of his festival songs and other tracks. In the 1980s and 90s, he managed pubs and clubs, hosting artists and continuing to perform. After an eight-year break from singing to work at Ituran starting in 1996, he returned to the stage. In 2020, he won the "Next Song" festival, a successor to older song festivals, and received a special award there two years later.
Mentioned
