Israel "Bruddah Iz" Kamakawiwoʻole (May 20, 1959 – June 26, 1997)lived in Hawaiʻi until his death at the age of 38. He became famous outside Hawaiʻi when his album Facing Future was released in 1993 with his medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World", which has been featured in several films, television programs, and television commercials.
On 21 July 2006 it was announced on BBC Radio 1 that the song would be released as a single. [read more...]