Sometimes, a simple Google Doodle hides a moving story. On May 20, 2020, the search engine paid tribute to an artist whose voice touched the world. You’ve probably heard this song accompanied by a ukulele. But do you really know the person who performed it?
When magic meets melancholy
Imagine a giant with a tender gaze, seated, ukulele in hand, singing with an almost unreal delicacy. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole —or simply Iz , as his fans affectionately call him—had neither the classic silhouette of a successful singer nor the usual codes of show business. Yet, this is precisely what made him a legend.
His cover of ” Somewhere Over the Rainbow ,” mixed with “What a Wonderful World ,” is a true balm for the soul. In just a few chords and a few words, he transports us elsewhere, far beyond the clouds. A performance that seems to float lightly on the water, and which continues, even today, to move millions of people.
A tribute from the sky (and Google)
On that famous May 20, 2020, Iz would have turned 61. To mark the occasion, Google dedicated one of its famous animated Doodles to him , capturing the magic of his iconic 1993 performance. A way to remind the world of the beauty of his musical legacy.
But this gentle giant didn’t have an easy life. Suffering from severe obesity and serious health problems, he died too soon, on June 26, 1997, at just 38 years old. The cause? Heart failure. His funeral, attended by nearly 15,000 people, was a landmark event in Hawaii , and his ashes were scattered off Makua Beach , a place as peaceful as his music.
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