He was called the "King" while still alive. Zohar Argov (1955-1987), singer, was one of the leading figures of the Mizrachi and Mediterranean genre in Israel, and this week marks 25 years since his death. Zohar Argov was born in Rehovot, the eldest son of Ovadia and Yona Orkabi, who emigrated from Yemen. Like his dad, who was musically inclined and performed as a wedding singer accompanied by the traditional snare drum, it was evident that young Zohar also possessed musical talents, especially as a singer. When he was 22 he released his first record, which included the songs "Kol Yom She'over" (Each Day that Passes) and "Yalda Chikiti Shanim" (Girl I've Waited for Years), and at the same time also changed his last name to "Argov", at the advice of his manager. Later on he met the guitarist of the band "Zlilei Haod", Yehuda Keisar, who was impressed by Argov's voice and recorded "Elinor" using a four-channel home tape – the "first 'chafla' tape" by Argov to be widely distributed immediately after its release. More than five hundred thousand copies were sold and Argov instantly became a famous singer.
