Efraim Shamir is recognized for his contributions to bands like "Kaveret" and "Khamsin," but his solo career and numerous collaborations also showcase his musical prowess. As a singer, guitarist, and composer, Shamir stands out as one of the most talented figures in the history of Israeli rock.
(Photo: Gili Yaari/Flash 90)
1. Efraim Shamir, originally named Yafim "Fima" Shmukler, was born on December 9, 1951, in Siberia, the Soviet Union.
2. At the age of 7, he relocated with his family to Poland, and a decade later, they immigrated to Israel. It was during this transition that he adopted the name Efraim Shamir.
3. Enlisting in the army, Shamir secured a place in the "Nahal" IDF band. For his audition, he performed the song "Shiur Moledet," a composition dating back to his time in Poland.
4. In the same "Nahal" band, he served alongside notable musicians such as Danny Sanderson, Gidi Gov, Alon Oleartchik, and Meir Penigstein. This ensemble later formed the foundation of the band "Kaveret." Other members included Miri Aloni, Yardena Arazi, Leah Lopatin, and more.
5. Notable plays during his military service include "Heachzut Hanachal Besinai" in 1970 and "Hapalnachnik" in 1971, where he held the role of the main singer.
(In the TV Show "Palanachnik" the Nahal band)
6. Concurrent with his military service, Shamir, alongside Alon Oleartchik, co-founded the duo "Nu As Ma?" They recorded two singles that were released during this period.
7. Before completing his army service, Shamir expanded his musical repertoire beyond the military band. Notable performances included songs like "Mika" and "Lauf Itach," the latter featuring in the soundtrack of the 1971 movie "Katz and Karaso."
8. In 1971, Shamir composed "Bemedinat HaTapuz," a song featured on Rivka Zohar's album "Saba Rivka."
9. Following his discharge from the IDF, Shamir joined "The Schnitzels," a band featuring Danny Sanderson. He contributed to the recording of "Poogy Opera," a project that laid the foundation for "Kaveret's" debut album.
10. Shamir played a pivotal role in the formation of "Kaveret" in 1973. Alongside his "Nahal" bandmates Danny Sanderson, Gidi Gov, Alon Oleartchik, and Meir Fenigstein, as well as Yoni Rechter and Itzhak Klepter, they established the iconic band.
(Photo: Monty Abrahamson)
11. Shamir was an integral member of "Kaveret" until its disbandment three years later. In the band, he played the guitar, sang, and co-wrote some of its most famous songs, including "Lo Yadanu Ma Laasot," "HaOlam Sameach," "Kacha He Baemtza," and, of course, "Shiur Moledet."
12. In 1973, while still with "Kaveret," Shamir participated in the "HaZemer Ve HaPizmon" Festival, where he sang the song "Leil Chanaya" alongside Yardena Arazi, Hanan Yuvel, and the "Af Ozen Garon" Trio.
13. In 1975, he performed "Yamim Levanim" on the radio program "Pgishot Muzikaliot." During the same year, he took part in the IDF Galatz show "Hakol Zorem" with the band "Fourteen Octaves."
14. Shamir married singer Astar Shamir in 1975 and produced her first songs, including "Avarti Rak Kedei Lirot," which he also composed.
15. After "Kaveret's" disbandment, Shamir and his wife were part of Arik Einstein's "People Love to Sing" show. As part of the show, the Shamir couple performed their own songs, including "Erev Shel Yom Bahir," "Nachon At Yafa," and "Shiur Moledet."
16. In 1977, the Shamir couple participated in the recordings of Dori Ben Zeev's album "Lemonade" and Danny Litani's album "Yachas Cham."
17. At the end of 1977, Efraim and Astar Shamir released their joint debut album called "Efraim and Astar Shamir." Shamir composed and arranged all the songs on the album, except for the song "Bo Venesachek Bemachboim," which was composed by Astar.
18. The song "Nachon At Yafa" from the same album reflects Shamir's unrequited love for Yardena Arazi, with whom he served in the "Nahal" band. Arazi initially responded negatively, claiming the song was a kind of curse for her. However, the two reconciled years later.
19. In 1978, he arranged two songs, "Shimish parties" and "Hear a mist," for his wife. The couple recorded a remake of the song "Mahboim," written by Naomi Shemer. Unfortunately, their marriage ended soon after.
20. In 1979, Shamir had a small role in the film "Schlager" by Asi Dayan. Notably, he also appeared as the guitar seller in the movie "Someone to Run With."
21. In 1980, Shamir founded the band "Khamsin" with bassist Ohad Inger and drummer Alon Hillel. The album, produced by Louis Lahav, who had worked with Bruce Springsteen, was a commercial failure, leading to the band's breakup. Consequently, Shamir left for the USA.
22. In 1981, Shamir returned to Israel and participated in the first "Pestigal," performing the song "Yalkut Kaved," which he composed and performed with Astar Shamir and Kobi Recht.
23. Shamir remained connected with his ex-wife and composed the song "Man for One Night" for her first album "In the lowest place in Tel Aviv," released in 1982.
24. In 1982, Shamir participated in the radio program "Land of the Sun," where he composed the songs "Hidayat a't-Dagher" (with Shem Tov Levy) and sang various songs with fellow participants.
25. In 1983, Shamir released his first solo album, "Roked Lekol Habanot" (Dancing to the voice of the girls). The theme song, originally titled "Dancing for all the girls," became one of his biggest hits.
26. In 1984, Shamir was part of the first reunion of "Kaveret," which he initiated.
28. Concurrently, Shamir contributed to the albums of his fellow band members, including "Olarchik" by Alon Oleartchik, "Begova Haeinaim" by Yoni Rechter, and "Chacham Al Ktanim" and "Chaf Mipesha" by Danny Sanderson.
29. In 1989, along with Danny Zuckerman, Uri Miles, and Gadi Seri, he co-founded the band "Gulliver," primarily performing his own songs.
30. In 1990, he rejoined the second reunion of "Kaveret." During the same year, he participated in Danny Sanderson's "Kofetz Leshnia" album and Dori Ben Zeev's "Private Parking" album.
31. In 1992, his second solo album, "Finally Rain," was released. Some of the songs were produced by Gidi Gov. The album featured compositions by Arkady Duchin, Alon Oleartchik, Ovad Efrat, Leah Shabbat, and, of course, Shamir himself.
32. In 1994, he provided vocals on the album "Your Life in a Lafa" by the band "Tipex."
33. During the same year, he participated in the children's tape "And this child is me" and in the album "Signs" by Gali Atari.
34. In 1995, Shamir released the concert album "Erev Shel Yom Bahir," which included his greatest hits.
35. In 1997, he produced and arranged the album for the band "Nimrod and the Lonely," titled "Shikler's List."
36. In 1998, he joined another "Kaveret" reunion, resulting in a triple album called "Kaveret in the Park."
37. From 2000 to 2001, he lent his voice to the children's series "Hanimnumim."
38. In 2002, he participated in the successful show "Danny, Gidi and Friends," alongside Danny Sanderson, Gidi Gov, Alon Oleartchik, and Mazi Cohen.
39. In 2004, alongside Alon Oleartchik and Itzhak Klepter, he staged the show "Nifgashnu." The three artists seamlessly integrated songs from their solo careers with selections from "Kaveret." This performance was later released as an album in 2009.
40. In 2003, Shamir released his fourth solo album, "The Concrete Sea." He wrote, composed, and arranged all the songs on the album.
41. In 2011, Shamir's fifth solo album, "Efraim Shamir and the Time Thieves," was released. The album featured new arrangements of his songs.
42. In 2013, Shamir participated in another "Kaveret" reunion, involving five live shows, two of which were held at Yarkon Park.
43. In 2014, Shamir reunited the band "Khamsin" for a single performance, featuring Alon Hillel and Yossi Fine, who replaced Ohad Unger from the original lineup.
Once again, we have prepared a playlist for you of Shamir's best songs.