Died On This Date (January 1, 2012) Yafa Yarkoni / Iconic Israeli Singer
themusicsover Yafa Yarkoni
December 24, 1925 – January 1, 2012
Known as Israel’s “Songstress of the Wars,” Yafa Yarkoni began to find popularity during the late ’40s. She earned her nickname thanks to her frequent performances for Israeli troops during wartime. During Israel’s War of Independence in 1948, Yarkoni joined an Israel Defense Forces singing group with whom she sang “Bab el-Wad,” a song which has become a standard and is sung each year on Israel’s Memorial Day. Yarkoni’s list of fan favorites also includes “Road To Jerusalem” and “Don’t Say Goodbye, Say I’ll See You.” She suffered from Alzheimer’s Diseases in later years and made her last television appearance in 2007. Yafa Yarkoni was 86 when she passed away on January 1, 2012.
Thanks to Henk de Bruin of 2+ Printing for the assist.
Fred Milano is best remembered as part of the influential doo-wop singing outfit, Dion & The Belmonts. Formed by Dion DiMucci during the late ’50s, the vocal group perfected their harmonies while singing on street corners in the Bronx section of New York City. They went on to world-wide fame with such hits as “I Wonder Why,” “A Teenager In Love,” and “Where Or When.” Dion left the group for a solo career in 1960, so the Belmonts continued on as a trio. They reunited with DiMucci a couple over the next ten years or so. Milano went on to work for the New York City Department of Correction. Fred Milano died as a result of lung cancer on January 1, 2012. He was 72.
