Oshik Levi

Oshik Levi
אושיק לוי
Oshik Levi
Oshik Levi
Background information
Born
Osher Levi

(1944-04-07) 7 April 1944 (age 81)
Bnei Brak, Mandatory Palestine (Today Israel)
OriginTel Aviv, Israel.
GenresIsraeli rock
Occupations
  • Singer
  • Actor
  • Entertainer
Years active1960–present
LabelsHed Arzi Music
Formerly ofCentral Command Band, Boardwalk Quartet, The Twins Trio
Websiteoshiklevy.com

Osher "Oshik" Levi (Hebrew: אושיק לוי; born April 7, 1944) is an Israeli singer, actor, and entertainer.

Born in 1944, Levi has been in the entertainment industry since 1960, and has recorded several successful albums, as well as having several notable roles in various Israeli plays, films, and TV shows.

Early life

Osher Levi was born on April 7, 1944, in Bnei Brak, Mandatory Palestine to a Bulgarian-Yemenite father and a Bukharan-Greek mother.[1] His older brother is Avraham Levi, better known as Lolik [he].[1]

Levi's career in entertainment began at the age of 16 on an Israeli Army Radio program titled "Bow and Arrow".[2][3] Later, he would serve in the Central Command Band, performing as part of their twelfth and thirteenth programs.[4]

Musical career

1960s-1970s: Early career

Levi's post-military musical career began in 1965 as part of a quartet known as the "Boardwalk Quartet", which featured one of his Central Command bandmates, Hedva Amrani [he].[5][6] The Quartet did not last long, and Levi would soon form a trio with Hanan Goldblatt and Poopik Arnon [he] called "The Twins Trio [he]".[7] The trio enjoyed decent success through the latter half of the 1960s, including a performance on Channel 1 honoring the recent moon landing,[8] but would disband in 1970.

Afterwards, Levi began his solo career.[9] Levi's debut album, "Some Peace of Mind! [he]" was released in 1971 and received critical acclaim.[2][3] It featured songs composed by Shalom Hanoch and written by Yaakov Rotblit.[2][3] The album also featured The Churchills.[10] The most successful song from the album was the song "Seer, go flee", written by Yaakov Rotblit and named after a verse in the Book of Amos.[11] That same year, Levi would record the theme song for The Policeman titled "A Ballad For A Cop [he]".

In 1973, during the Yom Kippur War, Levi invited Canadian singer Leonard Cohen to perform in front of Israeli troops in the Sinai Peninsula, Cohen, while initially reluctant to perform due to his melancholic repertoire, accepted the invitation and performed alongside Levi and Matti Caspi.[12]

Levi would not record an album again until 1974, when he released the album Oshik Levi [he]. It too would receive critical acclaim, with the standout track being Yehonatan Geffen's song "Johnathan, Go Home [he]".[13][14][15] In 1976, Levi released his third album, "Where Did We Go Wrong?", which was also successful, maintaining Levi's image as an artist with artistic integrity.[16][17] Finally, his last album of the 1970s was "Some New, Some Old" which was a partial compilation of his most popular songs as well as new songs.[18]

1980s-1990s: Hiatuses

In 1984, after 6 years, Levi would release his fifth studio album "Hot Nights", although he did not intend for there to be that long a break between albums. The album received substantial attention from the Israeli press.[19][20][21] This 6 year break would repeat itself for his next album, "At the Edge of Childhood", which featured Sephardic songs from Levi's childhood.[22][23] The album was inspired by his father's recent death in 1988.[24] The songs on the album were translated from Ladino.[22][23][24]

Acting career

Oshik Levi as a judge on the children's educational show Bli Sodot.

Levi's post-military acting career began in a 1965 play called "Shakespeare has died!", where he played the role of William Shakespeare.[25]

In 1972, Levi starred in the lead role for the film Tel Aviv Call Girls [he], which was notable for being one of the first Israeli films to feature explicit sex scenes and nudity, as well as tackling themes of prostitution.[26][27] Later, in 1973, he starred in the secondary role for the film Marriage Games [he] alongside Yossi Banai.[28][29]

In 1979, Levi was cast in the lead role for Sofo Shel Milton Levi [he].[30] The film had budgetary constraints, and despite being intended for a Spring 1980 release, it would not be released until October 1981.[31][32][33] Also in 1979, Levi appeared as the Penitent thief in the film Jesus.

Bli Sodot

In September 1984, Levi, alongside Hanan Goldblatt and Hanny Nahmias starred in the pilot for a children's educational show titled Bli Sodot (No Secrets) for the Israeli Educational Television.[34]

The show was a huge hit with its target audience and became one of Levi's most defining roles.[34]

Personal life

Levi has been married twice, but is now a widower.[35] Levi has four children. His daughter, Noah Levi, died due to cancer-related complications in October 2025.[36]

Levi was one of many Israeli artists who signed a petition calling for a ceasefire for the Gaza war in August 2025, leading him to be banned from performing in the city of Arad by the city's mayor, Yair Maayan [he].[37][38]

Discography

As a member of The Twins Trio

  • We're Going Out Tonight (1966)
  • Gentlemen, A Bomb! (1969)

Solo albums

  • Some Peace of Mind! [he] (1971)
  • Oshik Levi [he] (1974)
  • Where Did We Go Wrong? (1976)
  • Some New And Some Old (1979)
  • Hot Nights (1984)
  • At The Edge of Childhood (1990)
  • Sometimes, Unintentionally (1995)
  • Sings His Songs Quietly (2005)
  • Sound and Matter (2010)

Partial Filmography

Film roles

Television roles

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "ביוגרפיה - אושיק לוי" [Oshik Levi-Biography] (in Hebrew). March 17, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "אושיק לוי מבקש קצת שקט" [Oshik Levi asks for "some peace of mind!".]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). June 9, 1971. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "⁨* /?/ew p׳jp * ת pyp * ttie^ p^ * האישיות הכפולה של אושיק לוי⁩ | ⁨להיטון⁩ | 3 אפריל 1970 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [The Double Life Of Oshik Levi]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). April 1970. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  4. ^ www.caspitweb.com, caspit כספית. "תכנית י"ב - למה כובע" [Twelfth program-Why? Just cause!]. army-bands.co.il (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  5. ^ "⁨המצ$ה ה ורדה - הההל ש ו אל : מד ו ע ? ⁩ | ⁨חרות⁩ | 20 יוני 1965 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית". www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). June 1965. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  6. ^ "⁨‭1 \‬ב6וו8_וונ 18800ת ⁩ | ⁨דבר⁩ | 25 יוני 1965 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית". www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). June 1965. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  7. ^ "היכל האומנות על הר הכרמל" [The Theatre in Mount Carmel]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). October 24, 1965. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  8. ^ "⁨פופיק, חlן ואושיק מאשימים: הטלוויזיה דפקה אותגו!⁩ | ⁨להיטון⁩ | 15 נובמבר 1969 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [Poopik, Hanan, and Oshik allege: "Channel 1 screwed us over!"]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). November 1969. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  9. ^ "MOOMA -אושיק לוי" [MOOMA-Oshik Levi]. mooma.mako.co.il. Archived from the original on March 21, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  10. ^ "השקט שנשאר: אושיק לוי חוזר אל אלבומו הראשון" [The silence that remains: Oshik Levi looks back on his debut album]. www.maariv.co.il (in Hebrew). 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  11. ^ "⁨מאם ימתו ער מצרתם למים! מראשון, אם ש אשם וא יודעים. אבו- אוש«ק לח חידש חתה עם המ«צעד⁩ | ⁨להיטון⁩ | 1 ינואר 1971 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [If he will repeat the success of his first hit, we can't tell but...Oshik Levi renews his "contract" with the hit parade.]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). January 1971. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  12. ^ "When Leonard Cohen Crooned for Israel in Its Darkest Hour". The Forward. November 11, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  13. ^ "הפזמונים ה"חזקים" של אושיק," [The "strong" songs of Oshik]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). December 25, 1974. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  14. ^ "תקליט שני לאושיק לוי," [Oshik Levi's second record]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). January 15, 1975. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  15. ^ "⁨מ״קבץ מומלץ⁩ | ⁨על המשמר⁩ | 5 פברואר 1975 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [Review of Oshik Levi's new album]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). February 1975. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  16. ^ "⁨שני "אנטי פוכבים" ⁩ | ⁨מעריב⁩ | 11 אוקטובר 1976 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית". www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). October 1976. Retrieved December 11, 2025. אושיק לוי יודע כיום מה הוא רוצה להוציא" בהפקת תקליט [Oshik Levi knows what he wants to make for his albums.]
  17. ^ "⁨איפה טעו אושיק ונפתלי ⁩ | ⁨דבר⁩ | 8 ספטמבר 1976 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [Where did Oshik and Naftali go wrong?]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). September 1976. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  18. ^ "⁨תקל"ט"ם חדויו"ם: ⁩ | ⁨מעריב⁩ | 27 דצמבר 1979 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [New Israeli records]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). December 1979. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  19. ^ "⁨שבד ראט וטוב רו⁩ | ⁨חדשות⁩ | 3 אוגוסט 1984 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [He [Oshik] works slowly and he's happy.]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). August 1984. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  20. ^ "⁨שומר על עצמו⁩ | ⁨העיר (תל אביב)⁩ | 3 אוגוסט 1984 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [(Oshik Levi) takes care of himself.]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). August 1984. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  21. ^ "⁨Untitled⁩ | ⁨מעריב⁩ | 24 אוגוסט 1984 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [Oshik and Boaz live and create]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). August 1984. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  22. ^ a b "⁨גם אושיק לוי עובר לאתני⁩ | ⁨כל העיר (ירושלים)⁩ | 1 יוני 1990 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [Oshik Levi to adopt a more "ethnic" style on his next album]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). June 1990. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  23. ^ a b "⁨הקצה האחו של הילדות ⁩ | ⁨מעריב⁩ | 7 ספטמבר 1990 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [The Other Edge of Childhood]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). September 1990. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  24. ^ a b "⁨Untitled⁩ | ⁨חדשות⁩ | 6 ספטמבר 1990 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [There's no place like home.]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). September 1990. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  25. ^ "⁨שקספ*ד במובאות ⁩ | ⁨מעריב⁩ | 14 פברואר 1965 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [Shakespeare in "quotes".]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). February 1965. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  26. ^ "⁨סרסור עם נשמה ⁩ | ⁨מעריב⁩ | 12 מאי 1972 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [A pimp with a heart]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). May 1972. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  27. ^ "⁨מאדאם איקס מחיפה ⁩ | ⁨דבר⁩ | 15 אוקטובר 1972 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית". www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). October 1972. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  28. ^ "⁨חלומו של _אוש>ק ⁩ | ⁨מעריב⁩ | 22 יוני 1973 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [Oshik's Dream]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  29. ^ "⁨הסתיימו צילומי הםרט הישראלי "חכם גמליאל‭,, ⁩ | ⁨דבר⁩ | 9 אוגוסט 1973 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" [The filming of the Israeli movie "Marriage Games" have finished.]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  30. ^ "⁨המשחק האמיתי של אבי ⁩ — ⁨⁨מעריב⁩ 10 אוקטובר 1979⁩ — הספרייה הלאומית של ישראל │ עיתונים". www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  31. ^ "⁨שינויים במילטון לוי" " ⁩ — ⁨⁨מעריב⁩ 14 נובמבר 1979⁩ — הספרייה הלאומית של ישראל │ עיתונים" [Changes in Milton Levi]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). November 14, 1979. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  32. ^ "⁨כבר לא-ע‭!?‬אש קטנה ⁩ — ⁨⁨דבר⁩ 3 יוני 1981⁩ — הספרייה הלאומית של ישראל │ עיתונים". www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). June 3, 1981. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  33. ^ "⁨סופו של _משלטון לוי " אל האקרנים באפריל ⁩ | ⁨דבר⁩ | 25 פברואר 1980 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית" ["The End of Milton Levi" to hit theatres in April.]. www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). February 25, 1980. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  34. ^ a b "במלאת 40 שנה: הסודות מאחורי תוכנית הילדים המיתולוגית "בלי סודות"" [On its 40th anniversary: The secrets behind the mythological children's show "Without Secrets".]. www.maariv.co.il (in Hebrew). 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  35. ^ ""זו הייתה אחת התקופות הקשות בחיי": אושיק לוי פותח את הלב | ישראל היום" ["That was one of the toughest periods of my life.": Oshik Levi opens up.]. www.israelhayom.co.il (in Hebrew). January 23, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  36. ^ "בגיל 43: המעצבת נועה לוי-ארן נפטרה ממחלת הסרטן | ישראל היום" [At the age of 43: The fashion designer Noah Levi-Aran dies due to cancer-related complications.]. www.israelhayom.co.il (in Hebrew). October 28, 2025. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  37. ^ "Idan Amedi slams petition calling for end to Gaza war | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. August 3, 2025. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  38. ^ "Arad mayor bans Israel artists who signed anti-war petition | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. August 5, 2025. Retrieved December 11, 2025.

Oshik Levi on Discogs.

allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshik_Levy