kahuna

Was listening to some Bruddah IZ music this week. Not not sure how many of you have watched the 30 minute. "Beyond the Rainbow" The Legacy of IZ Documentary. 25 Years of "Facing Future". A big Hawaiian with a great voice and big heart.

"Beyond the Rainbow" The Legacy of IZ Documentary. 25 Years of "Facing Future"

Decker

It’s weird, hee became famous just about the same time he died. I wonder what could have been if his fame broke just a little bit earlier. Could he have gotten the help and medical care he needed? Such a loss. Love his music.

kahuna

He was active in the music industry for about 21 years. Most of it with the Makaha Sons of Niʻihau. His brother Skippy the lead singer of Makaha Sons of Niʻihau. Who was as big or maybe even bigger than IZ. Also died young at the ago of 28.

fujishig

Yeah, they were big in Hawaii for a long time, but I guess he got more Mainland exposure with his rendition of "Somewhere over the Rainbow?" Or was it something else. I remember hearing it on Scrubs but I think it was licensed for a bunch of shows/movies.

davidh777

“Over the Rainbow” was very prominently used in a 2002 episode of ER when one of the main characters died.

It’s a great recording, but he messes up the words, and now many people think they need to sing it that way.

Decker

It was recorded in like five minutes, fooling around in the studio. Nobody could have known that this little toss off cover would be the most successful Hawaiian Music song in history. Used also in Finding Forrester in 2000.

Honestly I didn't know that he was in Makaha Sons. I just missed his peak of fame in Hawaii. I moved away in the late 80s, and by the time I moved back after Residency in 1997, his music was everywhere but he was already dead.

kahuna

I remember when he first appeared on "Hot Hawaiian Nights" on KHNL. I believe he was the first artist to appear on that new show. I use to watch that show whenever it came on.

Giantrobo

Weird, his name just came up no conversation with someone a few days ago..

devilshalo

I remember watching this on a flight back home and just crying. That he knew his time was short, but he was okay with it.

kahuna

Bruddah IZ bringing joy to the local people. What's wrong with me I can't stop listening to his music.

Israel Kamakawiwoole - Margarita