Yitzhak (Churchill) Klepter, one of the most prominent Israeli guitarists and musicians, who has been active since the late 60’s, passed away Thursday evening, he was 72 years old. The Magen David Adom team who arrived at his home in Tel Aviv determined his time of death.
Klepter was a member of the Israeli bank “Kaveret” along with “The Churchills” and has been part of the making of some of Israel’s favorite classics such as "Tsilil Ma'im", "Bedouin Love Song", "My love is not his love" and many more. He left behind a son, the musician Uriah Klepter, from his ex-partner Dorit Peled.
Another nostalgia moment to share. Yitzhak Klepter, one of the IL rock pioneers (& Kaveret–IL '74 member), passed away yesterday due to an obstructive pulmonary disease.
— stateofesc20 👩🚀 (@stateofesc2020) December 10, 2022
One of my non-ESC faves is Rak Itach (רק איתך), ft. Arik Einstein. Simply you and only you no matter what ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vpS53ke7GB
Along with his extensive musical activity, Klepter faced medical problems for years. In 2000, a cancerous tumor was discovered in his head and he needed surgery. Members of the Keveret band then organized a fundraising show for him. The surgery was successful, and after he recovered, he returned to activity and performed again. In 2011 he was hospitalized while sedated and ventilated due to a complication of chronic lung disease, which was caused by being a heavy smoker. In recent years his health continued to deteriorate.
Yitzhak Klepter was born in Haifa and grew up in Tel Aviv. When he was a teenager he was assigned to deliver a lecture on Winston Churchill, and since then the nickname has been attached to him. When he was 15, he founded his first band, the Churchills, with Haim Romano, Miki Gabrielov, and others.
Israeli rock legend Yitzhak Klepter dies at 72https://t.co/JxCqUv7Rru
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) December 9, 2022
The group is considered to be one of the pioneers in Israeli rock when it created a new sound that was not common in the country until then. The band became a household name in Israeli culture precisely after the departure of Klepter. Klepter joined Kaveret in 1973, quickly becoming a vital figure in the band and its musical success.
Minister of Culture and Sports Hili Trooper paid tribute to him: "I am in deep sadness over the death of Yitzhak Klepter, who was and will always be a central part of the Israeli soundtrack. Klepter was a gifted musician and creator and the sounds he created were a tune aimed straight into the hearts of masses of Israelis, notes that will remain even after his passing."
Rock musician Yitzhak Klepter, who died today, was a founding member of a 1960s band called The Churchills which is arguably the greatest name ever given to a band.https://t.co/CcX345v9NZ
— Gilad Halpern (@Gilad_Halpern) December 8, 2022
President Yitzhak Herzog also released a statement regarding Klepter’s passing. "Yitzhak Klepter, Churchill, the scenery of youth for many of us, the star of Kaveret and the king of the guitar, a gifted composer and writer. His voice and melodies will accompany us forever. May his memory be blessed.
Gidi Gov, Klepter ban member from Keveret said: "We do not digest, he was one of the wonderful guitarists, who was a friend to me. It's fifty years of a Kaveret. I still can't digest it, it's so unfortunate."
