Kaveret facts for kids

Kaveret (Hebrew: כוורת, which means "beehive" in Hebrew), also known as Poogy, was a very popular Israeli rock band. They were active from 1973 to 1976. The band is famous for representing Israel in the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. They were also known for their funny songs and special music style. In Israel, Kaveret is seen as a band that truly changed Israeli rock and pop music.

The Story of Kaveret

How Kaveret Started

Many of the band members met while serving in the army. They were part of a special group called the Nahal Entertainment Troupe. This was like a military band where soldiers performed music and skits.

Danny Sanderson and Meir Fenigstein joined this group in 1968. Gidi Gov, Alon Oleartchik, and Efraim Shamir joined a year later. While in the army, Sanderson also had a band called HaSchnizelim. Sometimes, Gov, Oleartchik, Shamir, and Fenigstein played with him. This group also made funny skits for a radio show called MiMeno Elayich. These skits were known as "Pinot Poogy," named after Fenigstein's nickname, Poogy.

After leaving the army, these friends kept working together. They started creating a full rock opera called Sipurei Poogy ("Poogy's Tales"). They also made shorter musical skits. During this time, Yitzhak Klepter and Yoni Rechter joined the group. This completed the band's lineup.

Before Kaveret officially formed, the future band members worked on other projects. Shamir and Gov sang in a big music festival. Sanderson released some songs in English. Shamir and Oleartchik even formed a duo called Nu Az Ma.

Kaveret's Active Years

With all members now together, the band practiced their rock opera. A producer named Avraham Deshe (Pashanel) signed them. He suggested they change their rock opera into a live show with songs and skits. This new show became a huge hit!

In November 1973, their first album, Sipurei Poogy, was released. It was based on their popular stage show. Kaveret was voted "Band of the Year" by two major radio stations. They won this award for four years in a row! Their song, "HaMagafayim Shel Barukh" ("Barukh's Boots"), was also a number one hit.

In March 1974, Kaveret was chosen to represent Israel in the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. They performed the song "Natati La Khayay" and finished in 7th place. After Eurovision, they released English versions of some of their songs.

In August 1974, their second album, "Poogy BePita" ("Poogy in a Pita"), came out. It included their Eurovision song. The band continued to tour with their "Sipurei Poogy" show.

In 1975, they released a new album and show called "Tzafuf BaOzen" ("Crowded in the Ear"). This new show didn't get as good a reaction. So, the band added more of their older, popular songs back into the show.

In early 1976, Kaveret went on a tour in the United States. They translated some of their songs into English. However, they couldn't get a record deal there. They returned to Israel in June 1976. Soon after, disagreements within the band led them to announce their breakup.

Solo Careers and Reunions

After Kaveret broke up, most members started their own music careers. They often worked together on each other's projects. Oleartchik and Fenigstein moved to the U.S.

In 1979, Sanderson and Gov formed a new band called Gazoz. They released two albums. A year later, they formed another band called Doda.

In 1984, the band members decided to reunite for a short tour. Oleartchik and Fenigstein came back from the U.S. The band played several shows. One huge free concert in Park HaYarkon had between 400,000 and 500,000 people! To celebrate, they recorded a new song called "Meir VeAlon." This song was about Oleartchik and Fenigstein's time in the U.S. A recording of their concert in Caesarea was released as a double album.

Kaveret reunited again in 1990 for a tour called "Kaveret Hozeret" ("Kaveret Returns"). They released a new song with the same title. Their first three albums were re-released with extra songs from rehearsals and early skits. A film was also made about the tour.

In 1998, the band reunited for one more show in Park HaYarkon. This was part of Israel's 50th anniversary celebrations. The show was recorded and released as an album. It also included two new songs written for the reunion. The band performed one special show in 2000 to help raise money for band member Yitzhak Klepter's surgery.

In March 2013, Kaveret announced more reunion concerts. They planned two shows, but because so many people wanted to see them, they added three more! Before these shows, a special collection of rare songs and recordings was released. The very last performance, on August 9, 2013, was recorded. It was released as an audio album and a DVD called "HaMofa HaAcharon" ("The Final Act").

Kaveret Band Members

• Danny Sanderson - vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar
• Gidi Gov - lead vocals, percussion
• Efraim Shamir - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, 12-string guitar, harmonica
• Alon Oleartchik - vocals, bass guitar
• Yitzhak Klepter (nickname: Churchill) - vocals, electric guitar
• Yoni Rechter - vocals, keyboards
• Meir Fenigstein (nickname: Poogy) - drums, percussion, spoken word and vocals as "Poogy"

Touring members

• Tal Bergman - drums, percussion (1998)
• Yotam Ben Horin - acoustic guitar, backing vocals (2013)
• Gili Shapira - acoustic guitar, backing vocals (2013)
• Guy Mazig - electric guitar, backing vocals (2013)
• Shay Wetzer - drums, percussion (2013)
• Ido Zeleznik - keyboards (2013)

Kaveret Albums

Studio Albums

• Sipurei Poogy (Hebrew: סיפורי פוגי, "Poogy's Tales") - 1973
• Poogy BePita (Hebrew: פוגי בפיתה, "Poogy in a Pita") - 1974
• Tzafuf BaOzen (Hebrew: צפוף באוזן, "Crowded in the Ear") – 1975

Live Albums

• Kaveret – Hofa'a Chaya, Kayitz 1984 (Hebrew: כוורת – הופעה חיה, קיץ 1984, "Kaveret - Live Concert, Summer 1984") - 1984
• Kaveret BaPark (Hebrew: כוורת בפארק, "Kaveret in the Park") – 1998
• HaMofa HaAcharon (Hebrew: המופע האחרון, "The Last Concert") - 2013

Compilations

• Kaveret BeKufsa – Antologia 1971–1976 (Hebrew: כוורת בקופסה – אנתולוגיה 1971–1976, "Kaveret in a Box – Anthology 1971–1976") - 2013

DVDs and Videos

• HaMofa HaAcharon (Hebrew: המופע האחרון, "The Last Concert") – 2013
• Kaveret BeKufsa – Antologia 1971–1976 (Hebrew: כוורת בקופסה – אנתולוגיה 1971–1976, "Kaveret in a Box – Anthology 1971–1976") – 2013 (two DVDs are included in the box set).