The High Windows
1960s Israeli pop-rock trio
The High Windows
החלונות הגבוהים
From left to right: Arik Einstein, Josie Katz, and Shmulik Kraus
From left to right: Arik Einstein, Josie Katz, and Shmulik Kraus
Background information
Also known asHaChalonot HaGvohim
החלונות הגבוהים
OriginTel Aviv, Israel
GenresIsraeli pop, Israeli rock
Years active
  • 1966–1968 (original lineup)
  • 1973–1974 (second lineup)
LabelsHed Artzi
Past members

The High Windows (Hebrew: החלונות הגבוהים, romanized: HaHalonot HaGvohim) were an Israeli musical group active from 1966–1968, and later, 1973–1974.

Formed by Arik Einstein, Shmulik Kraus, and Josie Katz in late 1966, The High Windows performed in clubs throughout Israel with a style influenced by Anglo-American bands such as the Beatles.[1] They opened their own club named The High Windows in 1967, which was also the year that they peaked in popularity.[2]

That same year, they released their only studio album titled The High Windows, which has been frequently regarded as one of the greatest and most influential albums in the history of Israeli music.[3][4] After its release, the band embarked on a tour of Europe, including performances in England, France, and Italy.[5][6] Despite the success, the band broke up in early 1968, with Einstein returning to his solo career afterwards.[7] In 1973, the band reformed with a new line up featuring Eli Magen [he] as Einstein's replacement, however this lineup was short-lived and the and the band broke up again in 1974.[8][9][10]

Today, the High Windows are commonly regarded as one of the first modern Israeli pop and Israeli rock bands, paving the way for bands such as the Churchills and Kaveret.[1]

History

The High Windows formed after Arik Einstein visited Josie Katz and Shmulik Kraus's apartment in late 1966.[11][10] During the visit, the couple played some of Kraus' compositions to Einstein, who began singing random lyrics in response.[10] Initially, the band intended to record songs for their own amusement, with the demos being recorded in the couple's apartment, but after listening to them, the band decided to record the songs in a recording studio.[11][10]

Not too long afterwards, they began work on what eventually became their only studio album, The High Windows, at Kolinor Studios [he].[11][10] In early 1967, they opened their own club named The High Windows.[2] Later, in April 1967, the band released The High Windows[11][10] and then embarked on a national tour to promote the album.[12] The album received mixed reception, with critics criticizing it for its Anglo-American-influenced sound.[13]

The album featured 11 songs, all of which were composed by Kraus, with the lyrics either being provided by songwriters such as Haim Hefer, Yoram Taharlev, Hanoch Levin, Amos Kenan, and Einstein, or being musical adaptations of existing poems by Miriam Yalan-Shteklis and Rachel Bluwstein.[10][13]

Following the Six-Day War in June 1967, they toured in France and re-recorded two of their songs in French as "El El Israel" (Ezekiel) and "Soldat De Chocolat" (Chocolate Soldier).[6][10] After the success of their French performances, the band went to London to record two new songs in English.[10] The lyrics were provided by Ralph Murphy, while the production was done by Keith Mansfield.[10] The two songs were "Maybe Someday" and "Your Eyes", which were issued as a single on CBS Records International in 1968.[10] However, Einstein felt homesick and was not interested in pursuing an international career, and Kraus accepted an offer to star in the film The Royal Hunt of the Sun, leading to the band's breakup that same year.[10] Upon his return to Israel, Einstein began work on his next solo album titled Capricorn.[7]

In 1973, the band reformed under a new lineup featuring Eli Magen [he] as the replacement for Einstein, launching a new musical program with songs written by Shalom Hanoch, Yaakov Rotblit, Haim Hefer and Kraus himself.[8][9] However, this lineup was short-lived and the band broke up yet again in 1974.[10]

Legacy

The High Windows are today regarded as one of the first Israeli rock bands as well as one of the first modern Israeli pop bands.[1][3] Their musical style is believed to have deviated from the musical style of military ensembles such as Lehakat HaNahal or Lehakat Pikud Merkaz or civilian groups such as the Yarkon Bridge Trio or HaTarnegolim, and in doing so, their style paved the way for bands like Kaveret and The Churchills.[1][3] Their lone studio album, The High Windows, is today frequently ranked as one of the greatest Israeli albums of all time.[4][14][15] In 2007, it was remastered by Hed Arzi Music and sold 40,000 copies in less than two weeks.[16] In February 2018, Assaf Amdursky, Shlomi Shaban [he], and Shmulik Kraus' niece, Yael Kraus started a tribute show dedicated to the High Windows' music.[17][18]

Band members

Original lineup (1966-1968):

Second lineup (1973-1974):

Discography

References

  1. ^ a b c d Dubnov, Arie M. (2015). "The Missing Beat Generation: Coming of Age and Nostalgism in Arik Einstein's Music". Jewish Social Studies. 21 (1): 49–88. doi:10.2979/jewisocistud.21.1.02. ISSN 0021-6704. JSTOR 10.2979/jewisocistud.21.1.02.
  2. ^ a b "'All Is Well By Me': The saga of Josie Katz | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2010-06-05. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  3. ^ a b c "50 שנה לאלבום ששינה את פני המדינה" [50th anniversary of the album that changed Israeli culture]. NRG (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  4. ^ a b "75 אלבומים ל-75 לישראל: החלונות הגבוהים | ישראל היום" [75 albums for 75 years: The High Windows]. www.israelhayom.co.il. 2023-04-27. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  5. ^ "שלישיית "החלונות הגבוהים" מופיעה עמח בדיסקוטק לונדוני ושמו ~שייקספיר". לשמואל קראוס קוראים עתה סאמי. אריק וג׳ווי כמו קודם" [The High Windows are performing in a London nightclub named "Shakespeare"]. National Library of Israel. 12 January 1968.
  6. ^ a b "ישראלים כובשים בימות אירופה" [Israeli artists conquering the European stage]. National Library of Israel. 1 October 1967.
  7. ^ a b "מזל גדי" ["Capricorn", the title of Arik Einstein's new solo program]. 5 November 1968.
  8. ^ a b ""החלונות הגבוהים" בהרכב הדש ובתכנית חדשה" [The High Windows are back with a new lineup and program]. 26 July 1973.
  9. ^ a b "ושוב עם "החלונות הגבוהים"" [And again with "the High Windows"]. 4 July 1973.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m ""ההתנהגות של שמוליק קראוס לא התאימה": התככים מאחורי אלבום המופת" ["Kraus' behaviour was inappropriate": The story behind one of the greatest Israeli albums of all time]. www.maariv.co.il (in Hebrew). 2017. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  11. ^ a b c d "חלונות גרסת 67'" [Windows '67]. www.makorrishon.co.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  12. ^ "שלושה מיטיבי זמר" [Three talented singers]. National Library of Israel. Haaretz. 13 April 1967.
  13. ^ a b "החלונות הגבוהים" [Review of The High Windows]. National Library of Israel. 7 April 1967.
  14. ^ "100 האלבומים הישראלים הטובים" [100 Greatest Israeli Albums of all Time]. ynet (in Hebrew). 2005-09-30. Archived from the original on 2025-06-18. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
  15. ^ ""מצעד ה-70": התוצאות" [The 70th Chart-The Results]. www.israelhayom.co.il. 2018-03-29. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  16. ^ "חלונות פלטינום" [Platinum Windows]. www.makorrishon.co.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  17. ^ "מעל לזמן: שבן, אמדורסקי וקראוס עושים החלונות הגבוהים" [Timeless: Shaban, Amdursky, and Kraus pay tribute to "the High Windows".]. ynet (in Hebrew). 2018-01-16. Archived from the original on 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  18. ^ "אמדורסקי, שבן וקראוס התחפשו ל"חלונות הגבוהים" ונתנו ברי"ש" [Amdursky, Shaban, and Kraus dressed up as "the High Windows" and gave it their all.]. Archived from the original on 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  • Zemer Nugeh (A Sad Song) – Live performance in Olympia, Paris – 1968
  • Einech Yechola (You Can't) – 1967
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