Legendary military bands director dies
Danny Litai, one of key figures in Israeli entertainment world, passes away at 73 after battling serious illness
Litai was born in Tel Aviv in 1940. He served in the Central Command troops' entertainment group together with comedian Shaike Levi, theater director Tzedi Tzarfati and singer Ofra Fuchs. After completing his military service, he appeared in supporting roles in the Cameri Theater and Haifa Theater, while taking his first steps as a director.
When he began working in the Nahal troops' entertainment group, he met late composer Yair Rosenblum, and the two formed one of the most prominent professional duos in the history of Israeli entertainment. At the same time, Litai continued working with military bands, including the Central Command and Navy entertainment groups.
Danny Litai during tribute held in 2004 (Photo: Gilad Kavalerchik)
Litai's prime years were in the 1970s, when he left his mark on a series of musical productions, including "Lehakat Pikud Dizengoff" ("Dizengoff Command Band"), "Ir Hagvarim" ("City of Men"), "Al Tikra Li Shachor" ("Don't Call Me Black"), "Padam Padam," "Shloshim Shana Veshir" ("Thirty Years and a Song"), "Zehu Bidur" ("That’s Entertainment") and more.
In 2004, many of the artists he worked with participated in a tribute in his honor, after he had suffered several serious illnesses.
The Israeli Union of Performing Artists (IUPA) said in a statement issues following Litai's death, "With great sorrow, the Israeli Union of Performing Artists bids farewell to director Danny Litai, who passed away today. Litai, the legendary director of the military bands, was one of the key figures in Israeli entertainment in the 1960s and 1970s and gave dozens of leading artists in Israel their first chance."
IUPA director Yaakov Mendel said, "When one speaks about the golden era of the military bands, one speaks about Danny Litai. On Danny's 70th birthday celebrations I said, 'I am standing here as the IUPA chairman and saying to you on behalf of hundreds of artists you have raised, thank you!
"Even today, with great sorrow, I am saying thank you. Something from Danny will be engraved forever in every single artist who worked with him, and his legacy will always remain with us. May his memory be blessed."
