Israeli Icon Shlomo Artzi Learns He Became Grandfather During Concert
Israeli music icon Shlomo Artzi learned he became a grandfather for another time during a live concert near the Gaza border. His granddaughter Abigail was born at Ichilov Hospital.
Shlomo Artzi, one of Israel's most celebrated and beloved musical icons, experienced a profoundly moving moment on stage during a special performance near the Gaza border.
At 76 years old, the veteran singer and songwriter shared with the thousands of attendees that his youngest son, Yonatan, and his wife, Roni, were expecting a baby at any moment. Before taking the spotlight, Artzi admitted that he was anxiously awaiting news from the delivery room. "On the way here, I was told I was going to be a grandfather again, but before I came on stage she hadn't arrived yet. So you can imagine how emotional this is for me," he told the cheering crowd.
Reflecting on the unique atmosphere and the location of the concert, Artzi praised the audience for their resilience and spirit. "Honestly, this is a holy place, that's what we thought on our way here. Good for you. It's nice that you are applauding yourselves, but I will applaud you," he said before launching into his classic hit "A Man Needs a Word".
A Joyful Announcement from the Stage
The climax of the evening arrived mid-show when Artzi received the long-awaited news: his new granddaughter had officially been born at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. Overcome with joy, the artist paused the concert to share the milestone with his fans, turning a private family celebration into a collective moment of happiness.
"Abigail was born five minutes ago. How much of a grandfather can you be all at once? I tried, I tried... I'm crying," Artzi announced to the audience. "To Roni and Yonatan, okay? Yonatan is my youngest son. Say mazel tov to Yonatan, because I am sending this straight to him at Ichilov right now. Ready? Mazel tov! To Yonatan, Roni, and Abigail!"
The crowd enthusiastically joined in, sending collective congratulations to the young parents at the Tel Aviv medical center. Artzi then celebrated the birth by leading the audience in a stirring rendition of his anthem "Suddenly a Man Rises in the Morning".
