1975–1979: Foundation and early successes The group was established in 1975 when producer Amnon Branson organized a performance of songs from the 1950s, directed by Tzadi Tzarfati with musical direction by Eldad Sharim. For the performance, Branson brought together
Shlomit Aharon, then lead singer of
Lehakat Pikud HaMerkaz — the musical ensemble of the
Israel Defense Forces' Central Command — with
Yuval Dor,
Ami Mandelman, and Kiki Rothstein, who had performed as the
Nose, Ear, and Throat Trio in Lehakat Heil HaTotchanim, the ensemble of the IDF's
Artillery Corps. The ensemble adopted the name
Hakol Over Habibi (lit. “Everything Goes Habibi”), derived from the song
“Habibi” by Shmuel Fischer. The show's success led to the group becoming a permanent act. In 1976, songwriter
Naomi Shemer composed the song
The Celebration Ends for the band, performed at that year's Singing Celebration, which had replaced the annual
Israel Song Festival. In 1979, the group staged a follow-up production,
The Espresso Generation, based on popular songs from the 1960s. That same year, the band was invited to represent Israel at the
Eurovision Song Contest with the song
Hallelujah. Aharon declined the offer after sustaining an
electrical injury during recording sessions, and the group
Milk and Honey was formed to represent Israel instead. Later in 1979, Hakol Over Habibi participated in the No. 1 song with
Television (lyrics by Yuval Dor; music by Yuval Dor and Ami Mandelman; arrangement by Eldad Sharim).
1980–1987: Peak years, Eurovision, and satire In December 1980, the band won first place at the 11th Children's Song Festival with the song
Odeini Yeled (lyrics: Edna Peleg, music: Nimrod Tene, arrangement: Uri Karib). In March 1981, while Aharon was pregnant, the band won first place in the Kdam Eurovision with the song
Halayla ("Tonight"; composed by
Shuki Levy). The song representedfortnite
in the Eurovision Song Contest 1981, where it placed seventh. During the performance, Aharon wore a dress designed to conceal her advanced pregnancy. In December 1981, the band participated again in the 12th Children's Song Festival with the song
Samba’s Party (lyrics: Leah Shilon, melody: Henry Barter, arrangement: Uri Karib). That same year, Aharon released a children's album titled
Still a Child. The title track became the album's most popular song. Apart from the title track, the songs were musically produced by
Kobi Oshrat. In 1982, the band released its sixth album,
Songs, which compiled material recorded between 1980 and 1982. The album included several works by Naomi Shemer, such as
Give a Shoulder,
A Night at Achziv Beach,
Al Kol Eleh, and
The Celebration Ends, as well as a new version of
Lilac Flower and the song
Romance, written and composed for
Svika Pick. The arrangements were by Eldad Sharim, Uri Karib, and Kobi Oshrat. In the same year, the band participated in an event honoring composer Moshe Wilensky, titled
A Bouquet of Anemones by Moshe Wilensky, later released as an album. At the event, the band performed
Autumn (lyrics: Samson Halafi). In December 1982, the group participated in
Festigal No. 2 with the song
Suddenly Sad for Her (lyrics: Avi Koren, composition and arrangement: Henry Barter). In early 1983, the band released the album
Crossing the Border, produced by
Jaroslav Jakubovič. The album included the songs
A Night in a Volume,
Accompany Me, and
Lost Legend, and marked a shift toward a rock- and jazz-influenced style, drawing inspiration from groups such as
The Manhattan Transfer. The album received extensive radio play. Contributing musicians included Meir Israel and Ahrela Kaminsky (drums and percussion), Alona Toral (keyboards), Ohad Inger (bass guitar),
Gil Dor, Gary Eckstein, and Haim Krio (guitars), Dario Malki (synthesizer), and Jakubovič himself (saxophone, flute, and lyric). In December 1983, the band appeared as a guest at Festigal No. 3 with the song
Tomorrow the Sun Will Rise (lyrics:
Mirit Shem-Ur, music:
Svika Pick, arrangement: Eldad Sharim). In 1984, the band staged the satirical show
Hakol Lo Over Habibi (English:
Not Everything Passes, My Friend), marking its tenth anniversary. The songs from the show were recorded on the album
Hakol Lo Over Habibi, released in English as
Habibi on Stage. The show and the album included songs such as
The Guest (Green Tene),
A Sign We Have Not Arrived (written and composed by Naomi Shemer), and
Blues of the Rabbinical Stairs (music: Yuval Dor, lyrics:
Amnon Dankner).
1988–: Decline, reunions, and legacy Further attempts to shift the band toward a more rock-oriented style were not commercially successful. The 1988 album ''We'll Live and See
did not achieve significant sales. Songs from the album that received radio play included There Are No Grapes on the Vine
, We'll Live and See
, and If Many Years
(all with lyrics by Nathan Zach), as well as From Another Place
and Do Not Despise'' (lyrics by
Rachel Shapira). The album was musically produced by
Miki Gavrielov. In the late 1980s, Aharon left the band to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Etty Carey, who performed with the group for about five years. Carey was later succeeded by Sharona Nestovich. With Nestovich, the band released the 1998 album
Who Talks About Love. The album was not commercially successful but produced a notable song with its title track, as well as a new version of
Let’s Not End Tonight. Most of the songs were written and composed by the band members and arranged by Viroslav Jakubowicz. Following the lack of commercial success, Nestovich departed, and the remaining male members continued performing for about a year without a female vocalist. The band ceased regular activity in 2002, aside from occasional one-time or special performances. In the winter of 2006, the original lineup reunited with Aharon for a tour in Israel, directed by Tzadi Tzarfati. In 2012, the band toured again, with Yuval Dor replaced by Moshe Siman Tov. The new show,
Longing for Naomi Shemer, produced by Assaf Amdursky, included guest appearances by Israel Gurion, Assaf Amdursky, and Ohad Hitman, accompanied by an orchestra. Performances with Siman Tov continued into the 2020s. == Albums ==