T-Slam

Infobox musical artist
Name = T-Slam

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Img_capt = Tislam during a performance in Achziv bitch in celebration of 60 to Israel.
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Tel Aviv, Israel
Genre = Hard rock
Glam rock
Israeli rock
Pop rock
Years_active = 1978-1983
Reunions:
1990
2003
Label = CBS
NMC
URL = [http://www.t-slam.com/ Hebrew Official Site]
Past_members = Danni Bassan
Izhar Ashdot
Yair Nitzani
Yoshi Sade
Tzuf Philosof
Sami Avzardel

T-Slam (also Tislam, Hebrew: תיסלם) was an influential Israeli rock band, founded in 1978 by Dani Bassan, Izhar Ashdot and Yair Nitzani. The band dissolved in October 23 1983.

Summary

In January 1981, a new sensation rocked the Israeli music scene. A new rock band, T-SLAM, released their debut album. Titled after their huge hit single, the album "Loud Radio" soon reached double-platinum status. Following this success with a ground-breaking tour, T-SLAM became the biggest Israeli rock group ever.

History

Its first activity as a band, T-Slam began in 1978, as Danni Bassan (vocalist), Izhar Ashdot (guitarist) and Yair Nitzani (keyboardist). The band recorded its first song "Tnu Li Rokenrol" (Give Me Rock N' Roll) in the Israeli Army Radio studios, and released their first album in 1981 - "Radio Hazak" (Loud Radio), only after they finished to work on other songs, and to complete the addition of another guitarist - Yoshi Sadeh.

Their second album, "T-Slam2" (תיסלם2), was released a year after, having enlarged their band, with drummer Sami Avzardel and bassist Tzuf Philosof. Their last album was released in 1983. Its name was "LeAsfanim Bilvad" (For Collectors Only) and included newer versions for some of their songs, covers for other bands, and a few songs made with the band Benzin.

In October 23 1983, after a gig in Beer Sheba, the band announced that this was their last show, and that they do not intend to work on new songs. Their announcement made the crowd in that show and the rest of their fans very sad, and lots of them cried.

Post-Disbandment Era

After the band dissolved, the six members started solo careers. Following the breakup, Danny Bassan has put out three solo albums, Tsoof Philosof became a top session bass player and a member of the Local Band, Yoshi Sadeh spent a few years working in America and Sammy Avzardel had his own working band. Yair Nitzani who joined one of Israel's biggest record company, Hed Arzi, ended up managing it, and together with Izhar Ashdot who became a top record producer, they were both responsible for Ofra Haza's immense 1988 European No. 1 single - Im Nin'alu. Izhar waited until 1992 before starting his successful solo career.

In the Summer of 1990, after years of pleading from both the public and managers, T-Slam decided to reform for a comeback tour. The band recorded two new songs and released a compilation album, Nagnu Achshav - Play Now (Platinum).The tour's success was beyond anyone's belief and T-Slam filled huge stadiums all over Israel.

In 1994 the band was asked to perform at the opening of the "Hard-Rock Café" in Tel Aviv. A video news item reporting the show was added as one of the special bonuses on the live DVD released in 2003.

In March 2002, following stubborn rumors in the media, T-Slam surprised everyone by playing a at the Barbi Club in Tel Aviv under the name of the Gold Fingers.The evening's tremendous success together with the demand for further concerts and the great fun the guys had playing together, urged T-Slam to start a spontaneous tour that culminated in a show January 2003 at Tel Aviv Hangar with guest artists Muki, Monika Sex and Israeli rap superstar Subliminal. The live show was recorded and was released as a double CD and DVD named Or Shel Kohavim (Star Light).

On September 14 2006, the band played a one-off reunion show with Rami Fortis and Beri Saharof in Jerusalem.

Band Members

* Danni Bassan - lead vocals, percussion
* Izhar Ashdot - guitars, vocals
* Yoshi Sadeh - guitars, vocals
* [http://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/יאיר_ניצני Yair Nitzani] - keyboards, backing vocals
* Tzuf Philosof - bass guitar, backing vocals
* Sami Avzardel - drums, percussion.

Discography

* 1981 - "Radio Hazak" (Loud Radio, רדיו חזק)
* 1982 - "Tislam2" (T-Slam2, תיסלם2)
* 1983 - "LeAsfanim Bilvad" (For Collectors Only, לאספנים בלבד)
* 1990 - "Nagnu Achshav" (Play Now, נגנו עכשיו)
* 2003 - "Or Shel Kohavim" (Light of the Stars, אור של כוכבים)