Saturday, February 14, 2009

15th Annual St. Joseph Jubilee Jog: "IZ" Kamakawiwo`ole's Classic Picked For our Theme Music


Pacific Islands - Wonderful World
January 19, 2009
Christina Roden

Even a decade after his death at age 38 in 1997, Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole remains Hawaii's best-known and most beloved singer. His career began when he and his older brother, Skippy, formed a group in their hometown near Honolulu. The two performed together until the latter died in 1982. The band continued on for some years but it was Iz's haunting voice, with its searing yet limpid falsetto, that captured the popular imagination. Indeed, his 'ukulele-laced version of "Over the Rainbow" is widely thought to be the only interpretation that could possibly stand up to Judy Garland's original.

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