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Gali Atari
Gali Atari
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Key Information

Gali Atari (Hebrew: גלי עטרי; born 29 December 1953) is an Israeli singer and actress.[1] Atari won the Eurovision Song Contest 1979 which was held in Jerusalem, as part of Milk and Honey.

Early life

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Atari was born as Abigail Atari (Hebrew: אביגיל עטרי) in Rehovot, Israel, to Jewish parents who immigrated to Israel from Yemen. She is the sister of Yona Atari, a singer and actress, and Shosh Atari, a radio host and TV personality. Her father died when she was four years old, and, after his death, her family moved to live in Tel-Aviv.

Career

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1970s

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Atari was introduced to the Israeli musician David Kribushe when she was 15 years old. After an audition for him, he gave her a featured singing part in one of his songs “Half and Half”. In 1970, when she was 17 years old, she recorded two songs. The first song was in English, and it was called “Give Love Away”. The second song was a Hebrew song called “Im yesh lecha shemesh” (If You Have the Sun). The song became a big hit in Israel, and Atari represented Israel at the World Popular Song Festival in Japan. Atari participated in the contest again in 1976, this time with the song "The Same Old Game".

During the 1970s, Atari's career was progressing slowly. She recorded the song “sal eretz hachalom” (About the Land of Dream), which did not get much attention, and in 1975 she participated in the Hassidic Song Festival with the song “Leyerushalyim Yirech” (To your city of Jerusalem) and won second place. In 1978, Atari performed the song "Nesich hachlomot" (Dream Prince), along with musicians Zvi Bums and Udi Spielman, at the Festival Hazemer Ha'ivri - the Israeli qualification heat for the Eurovision Song Contest. She placed third at the festival and released a successful album by the same name as her third place song. Atari, undeterred by not winning the qualification heat for the Eurovision, entered again in 1979, this time as female vocalist with the Milk and Honey. They won, and their song, “Hallelujah”, represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest Song Contest staged in Jerusalem on March 31. The song was voted the winner and was a success on the European charts.

1980s

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After their Eurovision Song Contest win, Atari kept performing with Milk and Honey. They recorded a few more songs, many of which became great hits like “Galgal Anak” (Big Wheel), which won the title Song of the year for 1980, “Shir Lashirim” (A Song for the Songs), “Yachad” (Together), and “Ulay Od Kayitz” (Maybe One Summer).

In 1980, after a year of working together, Atari retired from Milk and Honey as a result of a lawsuit she filed against her manager, Shlomo Tasch. Atari claimed in court that she was not paid for about sixty performances on TV and in Europe and that once she left Milk and Honey a new vocalist was introduced and released an album with songs she recorded under the new vocalist's name. The trial dragged on for 14 years and concluded with a win for Atari, who was awarded 800,000 Shekels (about $227,000).

In 1981 Atari, working with the producer Yeroslav Yahakivovitch, recorded a rock album titled Kach Oti Habayta (Take Me Home). The album included hits including “Duet Preda” (Goodbye Duet) “Lo Yoda'at” (I Don't Know), and “Shelcha Ad Etmol” (Yours until Yesterday).

In 1986 Atari released her fourth album Emtza September (Middle of September). The album quickly became her most successful album up to that point, selling over 30,000 copies and prompting Atari to go on a successful concert tour as a soloist for the first time in her career. The album's most notable song "Ein Li Eretz Echeret" (I have no other land) became a patriotic anthem and was voted as the country's best song ever in 2023.[2][3] The song was also translated and quoted by Nancy Pelosi in 2021 and 2022 following both the January 6 attacks and the overturning of Roe v Wade respectively.[4]

Atari's success continued through the 80s as the singer released two more albums, Tza'ad Echad Lifnei Hanahar (One Step before the River), which sold over 80,000 copies in 1988 and Bereshit (Genesis), which sold 15,000 copies in 1989.

1990s

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In 1991 Atari released her first greatest hits album, titled Rak Etmol (Only Yesterday). The album was successful and sold over 20,000 copies.

In 1992 the album Bayom Shéachrei (The Day After) was released, and Atari was named the Singer of the Year by the Israeli radio station Reshet Gimel.

In 1994 she was requested by Israeli children's series Shirim K'tanim to work with Uzi Hitman. She was involved in the 7th video of the series which was revolving Passover and Shavuot and she joined in with all of the festival songs.

In 1996 Atai gave birth to her only child, Li, which inspired her to release an album titled Glida (Ice Cream). Even though the songs were written by the most popular songwriters in Israel at the time like Kobie Oz, Asthar Shamir and Shalom Chanoch, the album was not successful.

2000s

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In 2003 Atari released her album Chabeck Oti Léat (Hug Me Slowly). The song “Ma Shéat Ohevet" (What It Is that You Love) became successful and was adopted by many Israeli teenage girls as the celebration song for their Bat Mitzva celebrations.

In 2008, after her sister Shosh Atari's death, she released her album Bein Haésh Levein Hamayim (Between Fire and Water), which was dedicated to her sister.

In 2011, Atari released a few singles on the radio from an album in the works with the musician Amir Benayun. The album has yet to be released. In an interview on 2/17/2014 Atari said “The album is not happening right now, but I wouldn’t hurry to call the project canceled. I believe in this project but I need to find the correct time for this project.” [5]

In 2012, she was approached to do a PR film for Hadassim youth village where she grew up; she refused. In February 2014, a new album was announced and a new single Ahava Lemaerchakim Arukim (Long-distance Love) was released. In 2019 when approached to revive the song that won her the Eurovision song contest at the 1979 competition, she refused to sing with her former teammates, Milk and Honey members Reuven Gvirtz, Shmulik Bilu and Yehuda Tamir. Instead, she sang the song as a solo artist, and almost immediately after joined by fellow past contestants Conchita Wurst, Måns Zelmerlow, Verka Serduchka, and Eleni Foureira.

Solo discography

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  • 1978 – Nasich Hachalomot (Prince of dreams)
  • 1981 – Kach Oti Habayta (Take me Home)
  • 1984 – Mamria Baruach (Soaring in the Wind)
  • 1986 – Emtza September (Middle of September)
  • 1988 – Tza'ad Echad Lifnei Hanahar (One Step before the River)
  • 1989 – Bereshit (Genesis)
  • 1992 – Bayom Shéachrei (The Day After)
  • 1992 – Simanim (Signs)
  • 1998 – Glida (Ice Cream)
  • 2003 – Chabeck Oti Léat (Hug Me Slowly)
  • 2008 – Bein Haésh Levein Hamayim (Between Fire and Water)
  • 2015 – Ahava Lemerchakim Arukim (Love for Long Distances)

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Gali Atari (Hebrew: גלי עטרי; born 29 December 1953) is an Israeli singer and actress. At age 17, she released her debut hit single "Yesh Lecha Shemesh" ("You Have Sunshine") in 1971, marking the start of a career spanning over five decades in . Atari achieved international recognition in 1979 by winning the in as the lead vocalist of Milk and Honey with the song "", composed by Kobi Oshrat. In addition to her musical accomplishments, she has appeared in Israeli films including Dizengoff 99 (1979) and (1978). Her enduring contributions to were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Israeli parade in 2025.

Personal background

Early life

Gali Atari, born Avigail Atari, entered the world on December 29, 1953, in , , to parents of Yemeni Jewish descent who had immigrated to the country. She grew up in a household steeped in music, with her sisters Yona Atari and Shosh Atari also pursuing careers as singers, fostering an early environment rich in musical influences. At the age of 15, Atari was introduced to Israeli David Krivosh, who featured her in one of his songs, marking her initial foray into the industry. By 17, in 1971, she recorded her debut hit single, Yesh Lecha Shemesh ("You Have Sunshine"), which gained notable traction and signaled her emerging talent.

Family origins

Gali Atari, born Avigail Atari on December 29, 1953, in , , descends from Yemeni Jewish parents who immigrated to the country from prior to her birth. This heritage placed her within a community of whose families arrived in during the mid-20th-century waves of from Arab countries, often fleeing . Her upbringing in a musical household, shaped by Yemeni traditions, fostered an early immersion in song and performance. Atari grew up alongside siblings who also entered public life, including sisters Yona Atari, a singer and actress, and Shosh Atari, a radio host and television personality. Her brother, Joseph Atari, pursued academic and professional success, earning a PhD in from the Technion. These family ties reflect a blend of artistic and intellectual pursuits common among post-immigration Yemeni Jewish families adapting to Israeli society.

Musical career

Early career and military service

Atari commenced her professional singing career during her teenage years. In 1971, at age 17, she released her debut single, "Yesh Lecha Shemesh" ("You Have Sunshine"), composed by Shmerit Or, David Kribushe, and Moti Hammer, which achieved commercial success and led to her selection as Israel's representative at the International Song Festival in . She sought to combine her emerging career with mandatory by auditioning for Galei Tzahal, the Israel Defense Forces' Army Radio station, where her sister Shosh had worked. Atari passed the entrance examinations but, owing to a shortage of positions, was unable to secure a role there. Ultimately, she chose not to enlist in the IDF, forgoing the standard two-year compulsory service required of Israeli women. Unlike many prominent Israeli singers of the 1970s and 1980s, such as those in the Nachal or other IDF entertainment troupes, Atari did not participate in military musical performances, allowing her to focus directly on civilian recording and public appearances post-debut. By age 18, following her initial successes, she relocated to New York to pursue further opportunities in the music industry.

1970s: Rise to prominence and Eurovision victory

Atari released her first singles in the early 1970s, including "Yesh Lekha Shemesh" in 1971, marking her debut hit. Her career advanced steadily but modestly during the decade, with recordings that received limited attention. Prominence arrived in 1978 when Atari, alongside Zvi Bums and Udi Spielman, performed "Nesich HaHalomot" (Prince of Dreams) at the Israel Song Festival, securing third place with 54 points out of ten entries. Composed by Kobi Oshrat with lyrics by Shimrit Orr, the song's upbeat style and her vocal delivery garnered significant public notice, propelling her toward national stardom. Building on this momentum, was chosen to represent at the , partnering with the vocal group Milk and Honey to perform "Hallelujah," also composed by Oshrat with Orr's lyrics. The event occurred on 31 March at Jerusalem's International Convention Centre, featuring 19 participating countries. In the tenth performance slot, "Hallelujah" amassed 125 points from national juries, clinching first place and marking Israel's second consecutive victory following Izhar Cohen's 1978 win. The song's triumphant melody and staged entrance—where performers joined sequentially—contributed to its impact, boosting Atari's profile internationally.

1980s and 1990s

Following her Eurovision success, Atari pursued a solo recording career in the , releasing Kach Oti Habayta in 1981, which featured tracks emphasizing personal themes and emotional introspection. She followed with Memari'a Baruach in 1984, incorporating upbeat pop arrangements and singles like the title track that gained airplay on Israeli radio. In 1986, Emtsa September marked another studio effort, yielding hits such as "Emtsa September" and "Hakol Omed B'makom," which resonated with audiences through their melodic structures and relatable lyrics on relationships. The decade closed with Tza'ad Echad Lifnei Hanahar in 1988, solidifying her presence in the Israeli pop scene via consistent output of original material. Entering the , Atari maintained her musical activity with Bereshit in 1989, an album blending pop elements with introspective songs like "Bereshit" and "Perach Meshuga." She released Beyom She'acharei in 1992, featuring collaborations and tracks such as "Ke'ilu Sof," which continued her tradition of accessible, sentiment-driven . These efforts, amid a shifting Israeli landscape favoring emerging genres, sustained her catalog without the explosive visibility of her peak, focusing on studio recordings and periodic live engagements.

2000s and later activities

In 2003, Atari released the studio album Chabek Oti Le'at (Embrace Me Slowly), featuring the single "Ma She'at Ohevet" (What You Love), which achieved commercial success in . The album marked her return to recording after a period of relative quiet in the late , blending pop and folk elements. Following the death of her Shosh Atari, a radio broadcaster who suffered a fatal heart attack on April 1, 2008, at age 58, Atari issued the album Bein Ha'esh Vebein Hamayim (Between the Fire and the Waters) later that year. A 2009 compilation HaMitav (The Best) followed, collecting highlights from her career. In the , released Ahava LeMerchakim Arukim (Love for Long Distances) in 2015, incorporating eclectic styles such as trumpets alongside tributes to influences like . She also recorded a live album, Hofa'a Haya BeCaesarea (Live in Caesarea), capturing a in 2016. Throughout the decade and into the 2020s, sustained her career through , often featuring "," including a 2015 appearance at the Maccabi Games alongside other Israeli Eurovision entrants and a 2020 collaboration with Dutch Junior Eurovision participants during the "Europe Shine a Light" broadcast. In May 2023, she performed in to commemorate Israel's 75th anniversary, reprising "" for expatriate audiences. Atari has continued selective live engagements, focusing on nostalgic and patriotic repertoires amid Israel's cultural events.

Other professional endeavors

Acting roles

Gali Atari debuted as an actress in the 1978 Israeli film (Ha-Lahaka), portraying the character Malka "Mali" Levi. In 1979, she played Miri, a talented , in Dizengoff 99, a cult comedy-drama directed by that satirized the bohemian youth culture on Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Street during the late ; in the role, Atari also performed the song "Derech Aruka" (""). Her performance contributed to the film's enduring popularity in Israeli cinema. Atari's subsequent film role was as Yafa Tlalim in Breaking (Shavir), a 1985 exploring personal and societal tensions. Later, in 1999, she appeared as an in the Israeli television series The Azzany's, marking her transition to small-screen work amid a primary focus on . These roles, spanning and television, complemented her singing career but remained limited in number, with no major acting projects reported after the .

Public performances and endorsements

Atari has maintained a presence in public performances through appearances at national commemorations and international broadcasts. In 2018, she performed "Hallelujah" at Israel's official 70th Independence Day celebrations, marking a nostalgic highlight of the event. In May 2020, amid the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Atari filmed a rendition of "Hallelujah" at iconic Jerusalem landmarks for the "Europe Shine a Light" special, which aired across Europe. During the same broadcast, she collaborated virtually with Dutch Junior Eurovision participants on the track, extending its reach to younger audiences. She has also performed at live events in , including a concert at Heichal HaTarbut in . In 2023, Atari appeared in for an Israel 75th anniversary celebration, performing for the Jewish community there. Notable for its political context, Atari refused to cancel a scheduled performance at a festival in the Samaria settlement of Shiloh despite anticipated protests from leftist groups, a stance publicly supported by then-Justice Minister . Atari has offered public endorsements in the cultural sphere, including a supportive message to Israel's 2024 Eurovision entrant Eden Golan, expressing confidence in her representation of the country. Her performances of songs like "Ein Li Eretz Aheret," recorded in 1986, have been adopted as anthems in protests across Israel's , though Atari herself has not aligned explicitly with partisan causes.

Discography

Studio albums

YearTitle
1978נסיך החלומות (Nesich Hachalomot, "Prince of Dreams")
1981קח אותי הביתה (Kach Oti Habayta, "Take Me Home")
1984ממריאה ברוח (Mamri'a Baru'ach, "Soaring in the Wind")
1988צעד אחד לפני הנהר (Tzad Echad Lifnei HaNahar, "One Step Before the River")
1991ימי הבשמים (Yemei HaBsamim, "Days of Perfume")
1994סימנים (Simanim, "Signs")
2008בין האש ובין המים (Bein Ha'Esh VeBein HaMayim)
2015אהבה למרחקים ארוכים (Ahava LeMerchakim Arukim, "Love for Long Distances")

Notable singles and collaborations

Atari achieved international recognition with the single "", a collaboration with the Israeli vocal group Milk and Honey, released in as Israel's entry for the . The track, composed by Kobi Oshrat with lyrics by Shimrit Oran, secured victory for Israel in , marking the country's maiden win in the competition. Among her solo singles, "Yesh Lekha Shemesh" (You Have the Sun), issued as a 7-inch vinyl by RCA Victor, stands out as an early hit from her debut period. Other releases include covers such as "Adios Amigo" alongside Milk and Honey in 1980 on Polydor, adapting the original by Mickie Most and Carlo Donida. Later collaborations encompass a 2020 virtual performance of "Hallelujah" with participants from the Dutch Junior Eurovision selection, organized amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Atari featured on the track "kTn 'lynv" with Agam Buhbut, Eliad, and Gidi Gov, noted for its energetic arrangement blending multiple vocalists. Recent solo singles, such as "Chazaka Meharuach" (Stronger Than the Wind), reflect her ongoing output into the 2020s.

Legacy and impact

Cultural significance in Israel

Gali Atari's triumph at the on March 31, 1979, with the song "" alongside Milk and Honey, marked 's second consecutive victory and elevated her to emblematic status in Israeli culture. Hosted in after the prior year's success, the win underscored 's burgeoning musical talent and provided a moment of collective euphoria amid regional conflicts. The performance's joyful affirmation of life and resonated deeply, humanizing internationally and reinforcing national resilience. "Hallelujah" evolved into an unofficial anthem, routinely performed at state ceremonies, independence day festivities, and milestone events such as Israel's 70th anniversary celebrations in 2018, where joined the Shalva Band for a rendition. This enduring popularity reflects its role in encapsulating Israeli optimism and cultural vibrancy, with the chorus remaining a staple in public gatherings and media. Beyond Eurovision, Atari's discography includes tracks like "Shemesh Aduma" (Red Sun) and contributions to songs such as "Ein Li Eretz Acheret" (I Have No Other Country), which have ingrained themselves as cornerstones of Israeli popular music. These works continue to populate radio airwaves and evoke generational , cementing her as one of Israel's most recognized vocalists over four decades. Her influence extends to mentoring subsequent Eurovision participants, as seen in her 2024 encouragement to Eden Golan, emphasizing the event's significance for Israeli artists.

Reception and achievements

Atari's lead vocal performance on "" with Milk and Honey at the on April 1, 1979, in , was met with enthusiastic reception across , culminating in Israel's second consecutive victory and the song's designation as an international hit due to its catchy melody and themes of hope. The entry garnered strong jury support, reflecting broad appeal amid the contest's diverse entries. The track's post-contest commercial performance underscored its positive reception, peaking at number five on the UK Singles Chart and receiving airplay on programs like , where Atari appeared to promote it. In , the win generated national celebration, with the song becoming a staple at independence day events and public gatherings, including a 2018 performance by Atari alongside for the country's 70th anniversary. Among Atari's achievements, the Eurovision triumph elevated her profile as a prominent Israeli artist, leading to recognition such as inclusion among recipients of the Israeli Actors' Union award in 2019 for contributions to . "" was later voted Israel's favorite Eurovision entry in a 2017 national poll, affirming its enduring popularity and cultural resonance.

Challenges and criticisms

Atari encountered early professional challenges shortly after her Eurovision victory, including legal disputes over the production and royalties of "." Producer Shlomo Zach and his partners initiated lawsuits against composer Kobi Oshrat, while Atari pursued claims against multiple parties involved, leading to prolonged complications in crediting and financial distribution from the song's success. In 1980, these tensions contributed to Atari's departure from Milk and Honey, prompted by a she filed against the group's manager, Shlomo Tasch, after less than a year of collaboration. She was subsequently replaced by Lupatin, marking the end of her tenure with the ensemble that had propelled her to international fame. Post-split, Atari transitioned to a solo career and , but faced typical post-Eurovision difficulties in maintaining peak prominence amid Israel's competitive , with sporadic public appearances and media projects, such as a 2006 attempt to host a talent program. No major personal scandals or widespread public criticisms have been documented in her career trajectory.

References

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