In 1988, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole made an unexpected 3am call to the recording studio, urgently expressing his desire to record a song. A mere 15 minutes later, Israel arrived at the studio, leaving studio owner Milan Bertosa in awe, who remarked, “And in walked the largest human being I had ever seen.” To accommodate his 500-pound frame, a security guard provided a substantial steel chair. Milan swiftly set up microphones, conducted a brief sound check, initiated the recording, and without hesitation, Israel delivered a flawless rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” in a single take, concluding the session.
historic
