Israeli singer Adam dies at age 64 after battle with cancer – Israel Culture
The popular singer, real name Haim Cohen, died after a long battle with cancer. Under his stage name Adam, he was one of the biggest idols of the 80s and had a long list of hits that are still played on the radio today, including “Secret,” “There is No Way Out” and “Regretful.”
He left a statement that he planned to publish after his death and which was released by his relatives: “…If you are reading these words, it means that I am in a world where everything is good, so they say, I cannot recommend it yet. I want to thank you for the wonderful and incredible journey in this life. I have done a lot, I have tried everything, I have pushed myself to the limit in everything, in love, in friendships, in creation, I still have a few unfulfilled dreams, but not many. Thank you for love, thank you for every person I have met or influenced in one way or another, thank you for life. If I have not succeeded in helping from below, I will try to act from above, love.” He also promised to do everything in his power to help free the hostages from the next world.
Culture Minister Miki Zohar paid tribute to him: “I and my wife Yamit, who admired Adam since we were teenagers, were very sad to hear that the esteemed and admired singer with his unique voice that accompanied entire generations has passed away after a long battle with the accursed cancer. His contribution to the development of Israeli music will be remembered forever, as will his voice. We will miss this special person very much. May his memory be a blessing.”
Ynet reported that singer Dafna Dekel, Adam’s best friend, said in an interview: “I was with him until four in the morning. Yesterday it was already impossible to talk to him, but last week we talked for a long time. He talked to me about my life. The man is at home in his bed, he is the patient and he wants to help me. He always had his medical care under control. He was a very caring person. In the long conversations we had, he knew it was the end. He did not know it would be so soon. I also admit that I still had plans to spend the next week with him.”
Another friend, singer Yardena Arazi, said: “Adam (Chaim) was born for the stage. He was a sensitive and charismatic soul singer, a talented actor and performer who could captivate any audience, and also a very, very charming man behind the scenes. We spent many hours together between performances… His path was not easy, he had very high peaks and also challenges, and he faced them in an appreciative and inspiring way, with professionalism and great personal affection for those he worked with. No wonder he also promised to act for the abducted from above. Adam, we will not forget you. Rest in peace.”
Adam was born in 1960 and grew up in Akko. In 1985, he was one of Izhar Cohen’s backing singers at the Eurovision Song Contest, where they represented Israel with the song “Olé, Olé”.
Adam has an international solo career in France
A year later, he began an international solo career in France under the name Chris Life, but did not receive much attention and returned to Israel. In 1987, under the name Adam, he released his debut album “Secret”, which was a huge success. He was an idol adored by girls, but was also known for his raspy voice and intense style.
Despite being a huge star, filling stadiums and appearing on television, he later said in interviews that the huge admiration he had received at such a young age had affected his mental health and he had become much less active as an artist in recent years. He released his last album in 2019.
Adam was gay and came out publicly in 2007, but did not speak much about his sexual orientation. In the 1980s, he was married for less than a year to Michal Bat-Sheva, who later married and divorced actor and singer Shuli Rand.
In an interview with the website Pnai Plus in 2022, he said of his early career: “The media didn’t snoop around like they do now. I went everywhere, went to every party, there was no one who didn’t know. Everyone knew, but they didn’t make an issue of it.”
Adam’s friends are planning a memorial service, the details of which have not yet been announced.
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