Shalom Hanoch

Shalom Hanoch (Hebrew: שלום חנוך, b. September 1, 1946) is an Israeli rock singer, lyricist and composer, considered one of the founders of Israeli rock music. His works have profoundly influenced Israeli rock and modern Israeli music in general, both as a soloist and as member of several groups. His collaboration with Arik Einstein gave birth to some of the first Israeli rock albums.

Shalom Hanoch was born in Kibbutz Mishmarot. As a child his musical talent was known in the Kibbutz, and until he discovered Rock music, he listened to a wide variety of genres (from Classical, through Russian folk music, Gospel and Blues).

Although at that point he was more interesting in acting than in creating music, Hanoch was recruited by the Nahal army troupe when he turned 18, and wrote a few songs for the troupe while in the service. He was released from service in 1968, but not before he participated in recording a best-of album made of re-recorded versions to 50's and 60's hits by the troupe called Kol HaKavod LaNahal (Well Done, Nahal). In this album Hanoch sang Mitria Bishnaim along with the troupe's star, Shula Chen. The two were mentioned on the cover, an innovation for army band recordings.

In London Shalom signed a contract with producer and music publisher Dick James, who worked with Elton John that time. In 1971 Hanoch recorded a solo album in English, Shalom. The album was recorded and produced by James' record company, DJM, with Elton John's backing band. The record included songs that were composed by Hanoch in Israel and were translated to English, and also included new compositions. A few of these became more famous in Israel several years later, when they were translated into Hebrew and appeared in his solo albums, and in an album by his new band Tamouz.

In 2001 an independent label, "C90", produced a bootleg from Hanoch's White Wedding tour. In 2002, 25 years after the release of Adam Betoch Azmo, the album was released again with a bonus song that was recorded in 2000 with David Broza. In 2003 he recorded Or Israeli with the rock band Monica Sex. In 2004 the Yetzia tour was released as a live album. At the end of that year, a five-disk collection was released that summed Shalom's career until then. In the summer of 2005, Hanoch joined Shlomo Artzi, and they went on a tour called Hitchabrut, which was very successful and was released as a double album.