Video Id: 5neuWiAlpm4
1) Click on Download Video & Save as "Iz the great!!!.... is somewhere over the rainbow..." to your computer
2) You must have a FLV player in order to play the "Iz the great!!!.... is somewhere over the rainbow..." file.
Download the FREE FLV Player here Author:uking
Views: 994,833
Rating: 4.92/5.0
Featured Videos!!!
Description: king ov uke
Israel "Iz" Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole (May 20, 1959 -- June 26, 1997) (pronounced [ka-maka-vi-vo-ole]) was an Hawaiian musician.
He became famous outside Hawaii when his album Facing Future was released in 1993 with his medley of "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World", which was subsequently featured in several films, television programs, and commercials.
From childhood, his family called Israel by his Hawaiian middle name, Kaʻanoʻi, the "beloved one". His name would later become the title name of his first solo album, Kaʻanoʻi, and also foretells the greatness of this "cherished one". It is interesting to note here that part of his name, anoʻi, when simplified to noʻi may be a contraction of the Hawaiian word, nohi. Nohi means "bright-colored, vivid, as the rainbow" (see Hawaiian Dictionary, Pukui and Elbert). Nohi, rainbow, beloved one, and cherished one are powerful symbols in his life. Iz's recording of the song "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" would become renowned throughout the world and continues to garner high acclaim. The song has come to be known as Izʻs "signature song", the most renowned of all his songs.
Kamakawiwo`ole was nicknamed "The Gentle Giant" by his admirers. He was described as always cheerful and positive, and he was best known for his love of the land and of the people of Hawaiʻi. Through his consummate ukulele playing and incorporation of other idioms (such as jazz and reggae), Iz remains one of the major influences in Hawaiian music over the last 15 years.
In 1996, National Public Radio did a piece on IZ and played 'Over the Rainbow.' Listeners called in; sales shot up. And music insiders like Jimmy Buffett, Paul Simon and Bette Midler were no longer alone in their admiration for IZ.
Israel's recording of "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" reached #12 on Billboard's Hot Digital Tracks chart the week of 1/31/04 (for the survey week ending 1/18/04), possibly due to its use in the Adam Sandler film 50 First Dates, and the Brad Pitt film Meet Joe Black.
In 2006, a version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", in an arrangement based on Iz', was performed by The Worthless Peons in "My Way Home", the 100th episode of Scrubs, over the closing montage. A recording of the same song by Iz was used in the closing scenes of the final episode of Life on Mars (TV Series). It is also a featured song in the movie Finding Forrester. In 2002, the song was used to powerful effect in the closing scenes of Anthony Edwards' last appearance in ER as Dr. Mark Greene, in the episode "On the Beach". On week 8 of American Idol (season 7), Jason Castro performed his own version of this song except that he left out the "What a Wonderful World" line, but still gave credit to Israel for the song.
DEATH:
Throughout the later part of his life, Iz was obese and at one point carried 758 pounds (344 kg) on his 6 feet 2 inches (1.9 m) frame. He endured several hospitalizations and died of weight-related respiratory illness on June 26, 1997 at 12:18 am at the age of 38.
The Hawaiʻi State Flag flew at half-staff on July 10, 1997, the day of Iz's funeral. His koa wood coffin lay in state at the Capitol building in Honolulu. He was the third person in Hawaiian history to be accorded this honor (the other two were Governor John A. Burns and Senator Spark Matsunaga) and the only non-politician. Over 10,000 people attended his funeral. Thousands of fans gathered and cheered as his ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean at Mākua Beach on July 12, 1997.
On September 20, 2003, hundreds paid tribute to Iz as a 200-pound bronze bust of the revered singer was unveiled at the Waianae Neighborhood Community Center on O'ahu. The singer's widow, Marlene Kamakawiwo'ole, and sculptor Jan-Michelle Sawyer were present for the dedication ceremony.
I read up on IZ, and learned IZ called his producer and said there was a song he had to record. He showed up at the studio at midnight with his ukulele -- and, in 5 minutes, created "Over The Rainbow/Wonderful World."
When IZ died, it was clear that he was the Bob Marley of Hawaii. His casket lay in state at the Capitol, and 10,000 fans came to say goodbye. The next day, friends paddled a double-hulled voyaging canoe into Makua Bay, where IZ and his friends had camped out and played music over the years. It was in this bay, in l982, that IZ had scattered the ashes of his brother Skippy, who had died of a heart attack; now the brothers would be united.
There was thunderous cheering as IZ's ashes were poured into the water. It continued for an hour. To be with IZ one last time, family members and friends ran into the ocean. And the music continued into the night.
It still does.
http://www.mountainapplecompany.com/Content43.aspx?ArtistID=1980
Video Comments
it is incredible...this really shows that everyone has some talent in there life.This guy was WORSHIPPED BY PEOPLE EVERY WHERE.When you heard him sing people would not care what he looked like just addored him as it touched them dearly.you can achive anythiong you want to know matter who you are or what you lok like.He was proof of that.AND HE WILL LIVE STRONG FOREVER.
he has just such a soothing voice. i was so pissed earlier today, I listened to this song, and know i've just been having a great day
the most beautiful thing ive ever heard rip iz
I'm crying when I hear this.. it's so sad :/
He must've been very sad..
..
this man was highly spiritual
un grandote corazón
the scene with everyone at the beach while they scatter his ashes is one of the most beautiful things ive ever seen!!!!!
it's beatiful
this vid isnt by the person who uploaded it...its IZ....you need to read the loooong summary written on the side...
he passed away in 97.
Still makes me cry, every time. I'm a full grown man, never cry over shit. Except for this. Such a tragic early loss of an incredible voice. RIP bruddah iz.
Great video and nice vocals and your skills are superb!!!
thx for upload it. It's the best!
OMG Thats The Most AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL Voice I've EVER Heard!!!! And Hes Flippin *ADORABLE* LMAO!
my teacher played this to us and i FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS its so beutiful
he lived well, a giving joyful being and is missed bye the world :'(
he was a big man with a big heart : )
hes voice is diamond im love him he was a big man with a big heart
amazing voice and the song totally suits the uke.Fuck you to the ignorant twats that put him down you must be jealous
His voice really calms and pacifies the noise that seems to surround our daily lives. Such a plesant sound and from what I read, he was a sincere man. As far the negative comments, eh. That is what ignorance bleeds.
beautiful....thank you !!
Mele Kalikimaka!
Happy Hanukkah Israel!
¡Feliz Navidad José Ignacio!
And to all you black people who feel special because you can celebrate a holiday of your own, have a kick-ass Kwanzaa! Black power!
PoweredByLumpia, I think he was a fat ass with an over-exerted heart.
Are you sure it wasn't 12:17 am when he died?
Iz was obese and at one point carried 758 pounds (344 kg) on his 6 feet 2 inches (1.9 m) frame. He endured several hospitalizations and died of weight-related respiratory illness on June 26, 1997 at 12:18 am at the age of 38.
Tags: Bruddah hawaii Israel iz izrael Kamakawiwo'ole over rainbow somewhere the ukulele wonderful world 
