Abi Ofarim facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abi Ofarim
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Ofarim in March 1968
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Avraham Reichstadt |
| Also known as | Abraham |
| Born | October 5, 1937 Safed, Israël |
| Died | May 4, 2018 (aged 80) Munich, Germany |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer, songwriter, producer |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Labels | Philips, CBS, Warner Bros., RCA, Polydor, Sony Music |
| Associated acts |
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Abi Ofarim was a talented musician and dancer from Israel. His real name was Avraham Reichstadt. He was born on October 5, 1937, and passed away on May 4, 2018. Many people remember him best from the 1960s. He was part of a famous music duo called Esther & Abi Ofarim with his wife at the time, Esther Ofarim.
Contents
Abi Ofarim's Life and Music Career
Early Life and Dance
Abi Ofarim, born Avraham Reichstadt, came into the world on October 5, 1937. This was in Safed, a city in what is now Israel. When Israel became an independent country in 1948, Abi started attending ballet school. He made his first stage appearance in Haifa in 1952.
By the time he was 17, he was creating his own dance routines. At 18, he even had his own dance studio. Later, he served in the Israeli army.
Becoming Famous with Esther & Abi Ofarim
In December 1958, Avraham married Esther Zaied. They became known around the world as the music duo Esther & Abi Ofarim. In the 1960s, Abi played the guitar and sang backing vocals. The couple moved to Geneva, Switzerland, and then to Germany.
In 1966, they had their first big hit in Germany with a song called "Noch einen Tanz." Their most successful song in Germany was "Morning of my Life" in 1967. This song was written by the famous group the Bee Gees. In 1968, their song "Cinderella Rockefella" became a number one hit. It topped the music charts in many countries, including the UK.
The duo performed live concerts in big cities like New York City and London. They also toured all over Europe. However, they decided to separate in 1969.
Abi's Solo Music Journey
After the duo split, Abi Ofarim continued to perform and record music in Europe. He also worked as a manager for other artists. He wrote songs and helped arrange music. In 1970, Abi started his own record production and music publishing company called Prom Music. He also worked with record labels like Liberty and United Artists Records.
In 1972, he released an album with a British singer named Tom Winter. Abi also wrote a book called Der Preis der wilden Jahre (which means "The Price of the Wild Years"). It was published in 1982. That same year, he released an album called Much Too Much. His album Too Much Of Something came out in 2009.
From 2014, Abi Ofarim started a special project in Munich. It was called "Jugendzentrum für Senioren," or "Youth Center for Elderly People." This project helped older people who were facing poverty and loneliness. He ran it with his organization "Kinder von Gestern e. V." ("Children of Yesterday").
Abi Ofarim's Family Life
Relationships and Children
Abi Ofarim married Esther Zaied on December 11, 1958. They later divorced in 1970. After this, he married two more times. His third marriage was to Sandra (Sandy) Reichstadt. They divorced in 2004.
Abi had two sons, Gil Ofarim and Tal Ofarim. Both of his sons are also musicians. Gil Ofarim is well-known as the lead singer of the band Zoo Army.
Health and Passing
In 2017, Abi Ofarim became ill with pneumonia. He recovered and was able to return home to Munich. He celebrated his 80th birthday there in October 2017.
Abi Ofarim passed away on May 4, 2018, in Munich. He was 80 years old and had been ill for some time.
Discography
Albums
- 1972: Ofarim & Winter – Ofarim & Winter (CBS)
- 1982: Much Too Much (RCA)
- 2009: Too Much Of Something (Sony Music Entertainment Germany)
Singles
- 1964: "Shake, Shake (Wenn Ich Dich Nicht Hätte)" (Philips)
- 1971: "Zeit Ist Geld" (Warner Bros. Records)
- 1973: Ofarim & Winter – "Slow Motion Man" (CBS)
- 1973: Ofarim And Winter – "Take Me Up To Heaven" (CBS)
- 1973: Ofarim & Winter – "Speak To Me" (CBS)
- 1973: Ofarim & Winter – "Why Red" (CBS)
- 1982: "Mama, O Mama" (RCA)
- 1982: "Heartaches" (RCA)
- 1989: Abi Ofarim & Sima – "In The Morning Of My Life" (Polydor)
- 2007: "Mama, Oh Mama" (White Records)
Esther & Abi Ofarim
- Further information: Esther & Abi Ofarim
See also
In Spanish: Abi Ofarim para niños
