Kaveret
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founder | Danny Sanderson, Gidi Gov, Alon Oleartchik, Efraim Shamir, Meir Fenigstein, Yitzhak Klepter, Yoni Rechter |
| Defunct | 1976 |
| Fate | Disbanded; occasional reunions |
| Headquarters | Tel Aviv , Israel |
Area served | Israel; United States (tour) |
Key people | Danny Sanderson, Gidi Gov, Alon Oleartchik, Efraim Shamir, Meir Fenigstein, Yitzhak Klepter, Yoni Rechter |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Number of employees | 7 (band members) |
Kaveret (, meaning "beehive"), also recognized as Poogy (, the nickname of drummer Meir Fenigstein used internationally), was an Israeli pop rock ensemble active between 1973 and 1976. They represented Israel in the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest and were known for their witty lyrics combined with ironic musical elements. Kaveret is considered a pivotal force in the development of Israeli rock and pop music, with its members later achieving significant solo success.
Origins Before Kaveret
The members Danny Sanderson, Gidi Gov, Alon Oleartchik, Efraim Shamir, and Meir Fenigstein first connected during their tenure in the Nahal Entertainment Troupe (, Lehakat HaNahal). Sanderson and Fenigstein joined in 1968, participating in the troupe’s 21st production; the others became members the following year. Sanderson led a civilian band named HaSchnizelim (meaning "the schnitzels"), which occasionally featured Gov, Oleartchik, Shamir, Fenigstein, among others. This ensemble also contributed to comedic sketches broadcast on Army Radio’s MiMeno Elayich ("From Him to You"), under the title "Pinot Poogy" ("Poogy's Bits").
Following their military service, this collaboration transformed into a full-scale rock opera titled Sipurei Poogy ("Poogy's Tales"), named after Fenigstein’s nickname, supplemented by shorter musical sketches like HaMelech Mambo ("Mambo the King") and HaSipur HaMachrid Al HaYeled MiBrazil ("The Horrifying Story of the Kid from Brazil"). The group’s lineup was completed with the additions of Yitzhak Klepter and Yoni Rechter.
During this era, members participated in various ventures: Shamir and Gov appeared at the 1972 Israel Song Festival; Sanderson released English singles including Like to Tag Along and Conspiracy; Shamir and Oleartchik formed the duo Nu Az Ma ("Well, So What"), producing tracks like "Dam Lo Tov" ("No Good Blood") and "Sufa" ("Storm"); Klepter performed with Aharit HaYamim ("End of Days").
Active Years
Once fully assembled, the band rehearsed a rock opera intended for theatrical presentation. However, producer Avraham Deshe (Pashanel) persuaded them to replace it with a revue format combining songs and sketches, which turned into a significant hit. In November 1973, amid their reserve army duties following the Yom Kippur War, they released their debut album, Sipurei Poogy, derived from the revue. For five consecutive years, they were honored as "Band of the Year" by both Galei Tzahal and the Israel Broadcasting Authority. Their track "HaMagafayim Shel Barukh" (, "Barukh's Boots") reached number one on both charts.
In March 1974, Kaveret represented Israel at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, performing "Natati La Khayay" and securing 7th place with 11 points. Following Eurovision, they issued English-language versions of their popular songs: "She Looked Me in the Eye" (Natati La Khayay) and "Morris and His Turtle" (HaMagafayim Shel Barukh).
Their sophomore album, "Poogy BePita" (, "Poogy in a Pita"), was released in August 1974 and included "Natati La Khayay". The band continued touring with their "Sipurei Poogy" show until the end of that year.
In early 1975, fresh compositions resulted in the album and accompanying show "Tzafuf BaOzen" (, "Crowded in the Ear"). This new revue received mixed critical reception and was subsequently modified to incorporate more familiar material.
At the start of 1976, Kaveret toured the United States, adapting their repertoire into English and recording new songs for that market. Despite these efforts, they were unable to secure an American record contract and returned to Israel by June 1976 to resume touring. Shortly thereafter, internal conflicts prompted them to announce their dissolution.
Individual pursuits and reunions
After the group disbanded, Oleartchik and Fenigstein moved to the United States, while the remaining members embarked on solo ventures, often working together. In 1979, Sanderson and Gov established Gazoz, a band with a stronger pop influence that produced two albums. This was followed by the creation of Doda in 1980, which embraced a harder rock sound and released one album before dissolving.
The band briefly regrouped in 1984 for a short tour that included Oleartchik, who had been studying music and performing locally, as well as Fenigstein, who had initiated the Israel Film Festival in the U.S. This reunion culminated in a free concert at Yarkon Park, attracting an audience estimated between 400,000 and 500,000 attendees. They recorded the track "Meir VeAlon" (meaning "Meir and Alon"), inspired by Oleartchik and Fenigstein’s experiences in America; this song was featured on Oleartchik’s 1985 solo album. A live double album was also produced from their performance in Caesarea.
In 1990, the band came together once more for the "Kaveret Hozeret" ("Kaveret Returns") tour, promoting a new song with the same title and reissuing their original albums supplemented by rehearsal recordings. The tour was captured in the documentary "Kaveret: Tmunot MeChayey Lehaka" ("Kaveret: Pictures from a Band's Life").
For Israel’s 50th anniversary in 1998, they performed again at Yarkon Park. This event was released under the title "Kaveret BaPark" ("Kaveret in the Park"), including rehearsal footage and two fresh reunion tracks: "Zocher, Lo Zocher" ("Remember, Don't Remember") and "Mechapes Derech Chazara" ("Searching for a Way Back"). In 2000, they reunited for a single benefit concert to support lifesaving surgery for member Yitzhak Klepter.
Responding to popular demand, Kaveret announced further reunion concerts in March 2013. Ahead of these performances, the box set "Kaveret BeKufsa – Antologia 1971–1976" ("Kaveret in a Box – Anthology 1971–1976") was issued. The concluding show on 9 August 2013 was recorded and subsequently released as both an audio album and DVD titled "HaMofa HaAcharon" ("The Final Act").
On 8 December 2022, Yitzhak Klepter passed away at the age of 72.
Band members
- Danny Sanderson – vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar
- Gidi Gov – lead vocals, percussion
- Efraim Shamir – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, 12-string guitar, steel 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, vocals as "Poogy"
- Touring musicians
- 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)
Studio albums
- Sipurei Poogy (, translated as "Poogy's Tales") – 1973
- Poogy BePita (, translated as "Poogy in a Pita") – 1974
- Tzafuf BaOzen (, translated as "Crowded in the Ear") – 1975
Live Recordings
- Kaveret – Hofa'a Chaya, Kayitz 1984 (, meaning "Kaveret - Live Performance, Summer 1984") – released in 1984
- Kaveret BaPark (, translating to "Kaveret at the Park") – issued in 1998
- HaMofa HaAcharon (, which means "The Final Concert") – launched in 2013
Anthologies
- Kaveret BeKufsa – Antologia 1971–1976 (, interpreted as "Kaveret in a Box – Anthology 1971–1976") – published in 2013
DVDs and Video Releases
- HaMofa HaAcharon (, or "The Final Concert") – released in 2013
- Kaveret BeKufsa – Antologia 1971–1976 (, meaning "Kaveret in a Box – Anthology 1971–1976") – also from 2013 (features two DVDs)