What was the name of the big Hawaiian singer who had an amazing ukulele cover of 'Somewhere Over the rainbow?

There was a Hawaiian singer- a really big guy who played a ukelele- He has this beautiful medley of 'Somewhere Over The rainbow' and 'What a Wonderful World'.


I know he died a few years ago- I just can't remeber his name.....


I'd like to pick up some of his records- other that 'Somewhere Over The rainbow', what some other beautiful songs he performed? How popular was he in Hawaii?

What was the name of the big Hawaiian singer who had an amazing ukulele cover of 'Somewhere Over the rainbow?
I'm pretty sure it's Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and the only reason I know this is because I heard a "mashup" of his "Over the Rainbow" song mixed with Notorious B.I.G.'s "Hypnotize".





Check it out for yourself ...
Reply:Don Ho?
Reply:Beautiful, I agree! I was hooked the first time I heard him.


He was:


Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole


CD "Facing Future"


#14 is Somewhere over the rainbow%26amp;What a wonderful World


He was married, one daughter.


He produced his CD in 1993, "BIG boy Record Company"


www.mountainapplecompany.com





enjoy~
Reply:Israel Kamakawiwo'ole


See him play "Somewhere Over the Rainbow": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr-alr7P_...


Israel was a remarkable man who touched many (if not most) of us in Hawai'i as well as thousands of fans around the world with his music and his aloha. When he passed away in 1997 our hearts were broken. Please check out the URL's for more information on his life and his music.


Aloha
Reply:Israel Kamakawiwo'ole





Here's a site. If you scroll to the bottom, you'll find a list of his songs:





http://www.geocities.com/~olelo/iz-thema...





Here's another site with some info on him:





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Kama...