"Braddah Iz" was a legend in his own time. He died in 1997 at 38 years of age. The day of his funeral, the Hawaii state flag flew at half-staff and his coffin lay in state at the capitol building in Honolulu. At the time, he was the only non-government official to be accorded this honor. Ten thousand people attended his funeral.
Being Hawaiian, I was amazed at how this song spread so far and is so well-known and loved today, internationally. Iz was well-known locally, of course, but I never expected that this much greater fame would happen. How wonderful that it did.
I was hoping you would listen to IZ. Beautiful song, they played it at his funeral. For a big man, he's got such a gentle voice. That was his sister pouring his ashes into the ocean. He passed at a rather young age due to obesity. The original Somewhere Over the Rainbow, is an entirely different song. I love IZ's version. I have listened to this song one day all day long. Do you have FaceBook?
Yeah, he had a gentle voice and the heart to match it. He died so young and the world is the lesser for it. When ever I here people try to claim being morbidly obese is perfectly healthy my response to them is, " oh? Iz, Big Pun and John Candy would like to disagree with you."
He had a heart condition that caused his obesity, that is what killed him. He is a legend on the Islands! You can do just about anything you want on the Islands! They are very hang loose people over there, But if you want to start a fight just talk shit about IZ!!
IZ is an inspiration and was loved by all. I was at Makua when they spread his ashes from the Hokule'a. Cars stopped along the 2 lane road leading to Ka'ena bringing traffic to a stand-still. Hundreds of people were wading in the water and hundreds more were on land. A procession of big rigs blew and held their horns echoing through the valley while his ashes were placed into the ocean making it sound as if the State of Hawaii was crying . . . it's a moment I will never forget. An incredible celebration of life for an incredible man!!
Most beautiful song and best version EVER! Thanks IZ and May you Rest In Peace. He left us with this joyful song to share, it always brings a smile to my face even in my darkest nights.
Last year, when My Hero (aka my husband) was dying of cancer, this was one of my go-to songs. IZ sang this with the perfect combination of wistfulness and hope. With his voice, I think the song takes wing and lifts into the sky. Rest in peace, IZ.
I lost my Mom just this year on June 6th. I sang this to her in Heaven on her birthday September 1st. Only Amazing Grace is a more beautiful song than this version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. It makes me cry, but gives me hope. Love you Mom. I will see you soon.
My brother. You just watched a Memorial to Brudda IZ. That was his funeral and the Hawaiian people saying goodbye... makes me cry every time. Just for the record, IZ recorded that some at 3am at a studio that was closed. One take, one time. The full song is "Over the Rainbow-Wonderful Life" I think you could appreciate hearing the entire song.
Wow you found IZ ! Hawaiis most loved son with a voice even more beautiful than the islands themselves...in the video when you see all of the people in the water and on the canoes that was the funeral celibration for IZ they paddled his ashes all the way around the island...you seemed to like what you heard so please react to Hawaii 78..white sandy beach.. Maui Hawaiian Superman or take me home....peace brother I think you will enjoy this man's music and I look forward to watching.....♡
IZ is still adored 20 years later. The celebration returning his ashes to the ocean makes me cry every time. I never saw him, but today I live on his island and have the fortune of walking past some of the scenery filmed for this video. I have read that his version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow is the most played of all versions.
i'm terminally ill and i can't listen to songs like this and watch a video like this without getting very emotional. it hurts. but it's a pain i never shirk from. there's no love without pain. this song sung by him is so special. however, my favourite version of it is by a little known scotsman called john martyn. he never became commercially successful and never tried to. his voice is strong, but calming. david gilmour [of pink floyd] thought he was far ahead of his time and his guitar work certainly was. it's often ethereal and calming, and just very unique. the love song 'small hours' is one of the most beautiful, haunting songs i've ever heard, and i've been listening to the likes of pink floyd and all the other rock bands, folk singers etc since the late 60s. check him out. i can't imagine many others recommending him to you; he wasn't well known outside of the Uk, but british rock artists all regard him very highly, to say the least. phil collins called him "one of the true greats"
A legend in his timed. I loved IZ. He passed away at the age of 38 due to morbid obesity. I loved all his songs. The last part of the video is his memorial, he was the only non official to have the Hawaiian flag flown at half mast during his funeral. He had thousands to attend his memorial. He meant that much to the Hawaiian people. I miss his songs. His sister scattered his ashes. You don't look much over 30 now. IZ's rendition of Somewhere over the Rainbow, isn't anything like the original song.
this was my first time hearing this amazing man singing the song, after about a year of constantly seeing the song thumbnail in my suggested videos, and I'm glad I finally heard it. And after googling and reading the story of "IZ" it's really sad. Of course he was close to 600 pounds, so it's no surprise that he died so young, but still sad, that he was such a gentle giant, loved by so many people, With such a gifted voice. Only the good die young.
This song always gets me really emotional almost crying or actually crying depending on my mood. Just look at the love his Hawaiian people have for him as they spread his ashes into the ocean water so beautiful
RIP IZ.....a beautiful spirit who had a special heavenly touch in his style.. he is now over the rainbow and I hope he finds it just as beutiful as we found his rendition of this classic
I have been in the music/radio business for 15+ years and there is nothing that gets to me more than an artist being true/simple and full of heart. Everytime I hear this version i ball my eyes out. SO beautiful.
Every one of his songs just makes you smile, they have such a positive calming energy. When I feel down for whatever reason listen to Bruddah Iz is like medicine. Some people have the abillity to transfer energy to make you feel better - he was certainly one of them.
The first time I heard this song, I was watching the tv show ER. And it was the episode, where Dr. Green was dying of cancer. And his tv daughter had put the headphones on him, while this song was playing. And ever since it's been my favorite song. And every time I hear it, it brings me to tears!! It's such a beautiful song!!
When Buddha Iz died, He was given an honor which is usually given to only members of the Hawaiian Royal Family He honestly was considered a National Treasure & He laid in state So that the people could come to pay their respects. He was a truly unique & magical artist 50 First Dates Had the Israel Kama-kawiwo' ole version in it as well
In Germany, the medley of IZ's version was often played on the radio. "Over the rainbow" from the Wizard of Oz and Louis Armstrongs's "What a wounderfull world" sung by IZ A perfect combination, so beautiful ..... RIP IZ
I think Iz has the most beautiful voice I've ever heard. Put that on again with head phones and close your eyes, lean in and listen close. It is exceptional.
"IZ's music was first brought to my attention when this song/medley was played at the closing credits of the film:"Meet Joe Black"(Brad Pitt, Sir Anthony Hopkins).
Judy Garland was a teenager when she first recorded this song and it showed off her incredible voice. This version by IZ is so soothing, makes one feel one with our Maker.
So sad to find a voice and personality such as this and to find they are already gone. RIP IZ. Thanks RenaissanseMan for taking the time to listen to and show your reaction to songs you have never heard before and also give us a chance to find new inspirations.
The original "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was sung by a very young Judy Garland in her role of "Dorothy" in "The Wizard of OZ". My mates and I were having dinner in a restaurant on a cruise we took and the ship was heading home at the time when a rainbow suddenly appeared behind the ship. All the Americans began to sing this song and the people from all the other countries in the room quietly watched and smiled until we were finished. It is a most beloved song of hope for better times to come and in this awful time for the world it is quite poignant and moving.
My daughter & i used to dance hula to many songs of Bruddah Iz. Sadly he died a year prior to us becoming hula students. She passed away last summer, a month before her 31st birthday. I like to think that she is with him, dancing her heart out as he sings with that ethereal voice. Mahalo (thank you) for the stroll down memory lane - haven't heard this in many years. :-) oh,his last name is pronounced ka-ma-ka-vee-vo-o-lay Yes, Hawaiian names are a mouthful but beautiful none the less.
One of my old friends lives in Hawaii, she married a GI over here in the 60s. She told me to watch it and it's so beautiful, even with the scattering of his ashes, what a bittersweet and loving send off. For such a big guy he has a soft sweet voice, l love his version.
I would bawl like a baby when I would hear Iz blend "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World"! That combination was simply overwhelming, and I can't help but think that MRM would do so too if he would watch and react to that version.
Enjoyed his music when he was with the Makaha Sons of Niihau, enjoyed it when he went solo, my brother in-law was his percussionist...We all miss him dearly.....and Epic Voice gone to soon.
I absolutely LOVE this version! I have every since I first heard it! And towards the end of this video, was when he passed that's what they did for him...Back to the ocean from which you came RIP IZ!! ALOHA!
Iz had an ABSOLUTLY BEAUTIFUL Voice! This cover of what is Obviously a true American CLASSIC! You see, ModRenMan, you listen to as well as Comment on a VERY WIDE range of music! You do an excellent Job SIR! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do continue with your overview of these many videos!
He was the epitome of a Gentle Giant. I don't care how bad my day has been, as soon as I hear that sweet voice I immediately start to smile! You should listen to KISS "World without Heroes". If you ever need a good chuckle look up Jeanne Robertson "Don't send a man to the grocery store", she proves that you can be funny and NOT cuss every other word. LOL Hope you have a wonderful and blessed day!
Did you note how he blended in the beginning lyrics of Louis Armstrong's great single It's Wonderful World so seamlessly? BTW: The water ceremony at the end with all the people and boats celebrating are giving back to the ocean IZ's remains from that giant brown clay jar. Israel was an Hawaiian treasure and not fully appreciated until his passing. A true gentle giant with golden island honey for a voice.
The Video was actually the People of Hawaii attending his funeral and the scattering of his ashes.He was loved by so many.RIP Big Man,No doubt singing on the other side of the Rainbow.Beautiful voice.
In my top 5 songs of all time. Used to play for my then 10-11 month old grandson Landon. It always made him smile, he'd point to babies and say happy. Out of the mouths of babes....
I shed tears everytime I see this video.. 😭 This song is also in another Sandler/Barrymore movie, 50 First Dates. His movies always have great soundtracks..
I cry my eyes out every time I hear this because my mom's favorite song was this with Judy Garland...until she heard this version. I hear this and visions of her go through my head. I miss you mom! I love you so much!
We miss you Braddah Iz! Hawaii is not the same without you... But atleast your left your legacy behind... We still get to hear your beautiful music! Fly With Angels!
W o W!! Just the fact that you're reacting to an IZ song... unbelievable!! Awesome reaction to a lovely rendition. Such a beautiful Celebration of Life ceremony with the Hokule'a providing his journey to his resting place in Makua... in the words of the Hawaiian Supa-Man himself... Suuuupee!! Rest In Love Braddah IZ🤙❤
What a sweet sweet voice he has! ABSOLUTELY loved this! Thank you for making my day! God Bless MRM! May all your dreams and MRM families dreams come true! 💖🌈
This version of Over the Rainbow. Anyways, this song (version) came out when I was in a pretty dark time in my life and the tears flowed every time I heard it. Then when I saw the video for it and realized that IZ had passed my tears really flowed. Thanks for doing this reaction
In the video starting with the boats was his funeral, and that was the turnout to celebrate his life when they spread his ashes in the water. He was Hawaii's #1 beloved ambassador and his heart was far bigger than he was. Ukulele was his instrument, and his voice was his gift!
Loved this. Saw it years ago and upon seeing IZ I thought if he doesn't lose weight he is going to die and we will lose that amazing voice. When I got to the end I saw that he had died. A real lose to all of us. Great voice.
