Israeli pop sensation Adam has died at 64

Born Haim Cohen, the popular singer, passed away after a long battle with cancer. Known professionally as Adam, he was one of the greatest idols of the '80s, with a long list of hits to his credit that is still played on the radio to this day, including "Secret,” "There is No Way Out," and "Regretful.”

He left behind a statement that he asked to be published after his death, and it was released by his relatives: "... If you read these words, it means that I am in a world that is all good, that's how they say, I can't recommend it yet. I want to thank you for the wonderful and unbelievable journey in this life. I did a lot, I went for it, I went to the limit in everything, in love, in friendships, in creation, I have a few unfinished dreams left but not a lot. Thank you for love, thank you for every person I met, or I influenced in one way or another, thank you for life. If I failed to help from below, I will try to act from above, love.” He also promised to do what he could to help free the hostages from the next world.

Culture Minister Miki Zohar paid tribute to him: "I and my wife Yamit, who adored Adam even when she was a teenager, were very sorry to hear that the esteemed and admired singer, with his unique voice that accompanied entire generations, passed away after a long battle with the accursed cancer. His contribution to the development of Israeli music will remain with us forever, as will his voice. We will miss this special one very much. May his memory be a blessing.”

Ynet reported that singer Dafna Dekel, Adam's best friend, said in an interview, “I was with him until four in the morning. Yesterday it was already impossible to talk to him, but last week we talked for a long time. He talked to me about my life. The man is lying on his bed at home, he’s the patient, and he wants to help me. He was always in control of his medical care. He was a very caring person. In the long conversations we had, he knew it was the end. He didn't know it would be so soon. I also admit that I still had plans to spend the next week with him.”

Another friend, singer Yardena Arazi, said: "Adam (Chaim) was born for the stage. He was a sensitive and charismatic soul singer, a talented actor and performer who was able to captivate any audience, and also a very, very charming man behind the scenes. We spent many hours together between performances . . . His journey was not easy, it had very high peaks and also challenges, and he faced them in an appreciative and inspiring way, with professionalism and great personal affection for those he worked with. No wonder he also promised to act for the abductees from above. Adam, we will not forget you. Rest in peace.”

Adam was born in 1960 and grew up in Acre. In 1985 he was one of Izhar Cohen's backup singers at the Eurovision Song Contest, where they represented Israel with the song "Olé, Olé.”

Adam has international solo career in France

A year later, he began an international solo career in France under the name Chris Life, but did not receive much attention and returned to Israel. In 1987, he released his debut album "Secret," under the name Adam, which was a huge hit. He was an idol who was worshipped by girls, but also known for his raspy voice and intense style.

While he was a huge star, selling out stadiums and performing on television shows, he said later in interviews that being the subject of so much adulation at such a young age took its toll on his mental health, and he became much less active as a performer in recent years.  He released his final album in 2019.

Adam was gay and came out of the closet publicly in 2007, although he did not talk much about his sexual orientation. In the 1980s, he was married for less than a year to Michal Bat-Sheva, who later married and divorced actor/singer Shuli Rand.

In an interview with the website Pnai Plus in 2022, he said, speaking about his early career, "The media didn't pry back then the way they do today. I went out everywhere, spent time at every party, there was no one who didn't know. Everyone knew, but they didn't make an issue of it.”

Adam’s friends are planning a memorial tribute, the details of which have not yet been announced.