He was laid in honor in Hawaii’s Capitol building, and his ashes were later scattered into the ocean. He had suffered from morbid obesity his entire life. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole died on June 26, 1997, at the age of 38, before he gained his vast popularity. By 2002, the record had sold 500,000 copies-the first Hawaiian-produced album to go gold-and was certified platinum, selling over 1 million copies by 2005. The album peaked at #1 on the Billboard World Music charts. recording, played it for producer Jon de Mello (who was won over), and it was added to Facing Future. On the last few days of recording, he felt something was missing. In 1993 Bertosa was working on Kamakawawiwo’ole’s next album, Facing Future. “Whatever was going on that night, he was inspired. Over time, he found himself playing Kamakawiwo’ole’s recording for family and friends. “Then I put up some microphones, do a quick soundcheck, roll tape, and the first thing he does is ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow.’ He played and sang, one take, and it was over.” The next day Bertosa gave a copy for Israel and kept the master for himself. Someone from building security gave Israel a big steel chair. “The first thing at hand is to find something for him to sit on,” Bertosa remembered. Throughout his life, Kamakawiwo’ole suffered obesity, weighing as much as 757 pounds. ![]() “And in walks the largest human being I had seen in my life,” Bertosa told NPR. Bertosa relented.Ībout 15 minutes later, there’s a knock on Bertosa’s door. “Please, can I come in?” Kamakawiwo’ole kindly asked. Bertosa was then put on the phone with Kamakawiwo’ole, whom Bertosa remembers as “this really sweet man, well-mannered, just kind.” A regular client had called on behalf of Kamakawiwo’ole, who had an idea he desperately wanted to see through. ![]() In 1988, recording studio manager Milan Bertosa was wrapping a long day at 3 a.m. on the album is”Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World,” a medley combining the songs “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World,” made famous by Louis Armstrong in 1967.Īlthough Kamakawiwo’ole’s 1990 solo album included “Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World,” it’s not the version that most people remember. The acoustic version, with Kamakawiwo’ole on vocals and ukelele, was recorded a few years prior and kept in a recording studio’s archives until the release of his 1993 follow-up, Facing Future. Before launching his solo career in 1990, he performed with his brother Skippy as part of the successful group The Makaha Sons of Niʻihau.Īfter years of popularizing Hawaiian music, Kamakawiwo’ole recorded his solo album Ka ‘Ano’i in 1990. ![]() Kamakawiwoʻole was born in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. His name is pronounced “Ka-MA-ka-VEE-vo-oh-lay” and it means “the fearless eye, the bold face” in the Hawaiian Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, was also known as “Bruddah Iz” or “IZ.” I first heard him on the show Life On Mars with just his voice and ukulele.
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