Israeli Mediterranean Music Icon Yishai Levi Dies at 63

Singer Yishai Levi, one of the most prominent figures in Mediterranean music, died overnight, between Saturday and Sunday, at the age of 63. Levi, who began his professional career in the 1980s, released more than 20 albums over the course of his career and was behind a string of successful hits. No details have yet been released about the time of his funeral.

Levi was born in 1963 in Rosh HaAyin to a family of Yemeni origin. He began his musical path in his teens, performing in clubs and at celebrations. After his military service in the Artillery Corps, he began recording his first material. In 1984, he released his first album, "Chafla with Ben-Mosh." His major breakthrough came in 1986 with the release of the album "Hine Ba HaYom." The song "Raaya," recorded for the album, became one of the songs most closely associated with him.

In 1989, he released the album "Lehatchil MiBereishit," which included the song "Rikdi," which received extensive airplay and became one of the biggest hits of his career. After periods of professional instability, Levi returned to the center of the stage in 2008 with the album "Rikud Romanti." In 2010, he released the song "HaAchat Sheli," which found success on the charts. Over the years, he collaborated with various creators, including Amir Benayoun, Ethnix and Mosh Ben Ari.

Levi's professional life was affected over the years by a long struggle with drug addiction. The addiction led to extended breaks in his musical activity and involvement with law enforcement. Levi served several prison terms for drug offenses and domestic violence offenses. In later periods of his life, he said he had recovered and returned to focusing on musical creation. Levi is survived by his wife, Iris, and five children, including singer Shir Levi. His brother is singer Nati Levi.

President Isaac Herzog expressed sorrow over the singer's death, describing him as "one of the most beloved and significant voices in Israeli music." According to Herzog, "His unique voice and beloved songs accompanied Israeli society for decades and became an inseparable part of the soundtrack of our lives. In his special way, Yishai managed to touch many hearts, connect between audiences and generations, and give moments of emotion, comfort and joy to millions of Israelis."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Levi "was a unique voice in Israeli music, a voice of soul, joy, pain and love of humanity. Yishai touched the hearts of millions of Israelis with his songs. He crossed generations, communities and sectors, and became an inseparable part of the soundtrack of our lives. On behalf of the citizens of Israel, I send condolences to his family, his loved ones and his many fans. May his memory be blessed."

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar also eulogized him. "I was very saddened to hear of the passing of the beloved singer Yishai Levi. Yishai was one of the pioneers of Mizrahi music in Israel, and one of the great and moving voices in Israeli music, an artist who succeeded in touching the hearts of generations and becoming an inseparable part of the soundtrack of the State of Israel. I send heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends and his many fans. May his memory be blessed," he said.

"I have no words," singer Eyal Golan eulogized him. "I am stunned and hurting over Yishai's untimely death, sitting here writing and unable to believe it. I grew up on Yishai's voice, on the songs, on the emotion he knew how to convey with his unique voice, and his songs will forever remain an inseparable part of our soundtrack. In every meeting with him I felt his huge heart, his humility, his true love for music and the respect he gave to every person. Even after everything he went through and everything he achieved, he always remained modest Yishai, with a great soul."