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Gilad Ben-Shach, Influential Israeli Radio Pioneer, Dies at 85
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Veteran composer, music editor and former manager of Reshet Gimel, Gilad Ben-Shach passed away at the age of 85. His death was reported by Israeli media outlets, which highlighted his decades-long impact on the sound of Israeli radio and the promotion of Hebrew and Mediterranean music.
Background & Career
Ben-Shach joined Kol Yisrael in the late 1960s, initially as a composer before moving into editorial roles. He served as music editor for flagship programs such as “At Noon,” “Keset VeAfarkeset,” and “Oti Ze Matzhik,” and later headed the station’s entertainment department from the mid-1970s. As one of the founders of Reshet Gimel, he eventually managed the channel and helped shape its musical direction during a period when radio heavily influenced public taste. In the late 1970s he commissioned Shimon Parnas to produce “Mediterranean Basin,” a program that became a key platform for Mediterranean-style songs that were then struggling to enter the Israeli mainstream. Ben-Shach also composed and wrote songs, including “Everyone Has a Star” and “Violets,” performed by the duo Ilan and Ilanit. He was active in organizing performances for the Ein Gev Festival and devoted much of his later work to preserving and nurturing Hebrew song.
Data & Statistics
- Age at death: 85
- Joined Kol Yisrael: 1969
- Tenure in senior roles spanned roughly three decades, from the mid-1970s through the early 2000s.
Why It Matters
Ben-Shach’s decisions—particularly the creation of “Mediterranean Basin”—expanded the exposure of Mediterranean music on national radio, influencing which songs became hits and shaping the broader Israeli musical landscape. His dual role as composer and curator helped sustain Hebrew-language repertoire during a transformative era for the country’s popular culture.
Official Statements & Responses
Ben-Shach’s family described him as a devoted family man, a noble soul and a lover of people, emphasizing that his world centered on Hebrew song and its preservation. Their tribute underscored his lifelong commitment to nurturing Israel’s musical heritage.