'Greatest musician of our generation': Legendary artist Matti Caspi laid to rest

Thousands pay respects to iconic Israeli singer as his children hail him as an inspiration; ‘We wouldn’t have Israeli culture without you,’ says Tel Aviv mayor Ron Huldai

Singer, songwriter, and composer Matti Caspi was laid to rest on Monday, as thousands joined his family and friends to pay respects to the iconic Israeli artist, who died early Sunday at the age of 76, after suffering from cancer in recent years.

Caspi’s coffin was on view Monday morning in the courtyard of Tel Aviv’s Performing Arts Center for a memorial ceremony. After the ceremony, Caspi’s family held a funeral in Kfar Saba.

In Tel Aviv, several artists, including Riki Gal, Shlomo Gronich, and Danny Robas, performed his songs.

He was eulogized by his children, as well as Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai and several of the performers. Robas hailed Caspi as “the greatest musician of our generation.”

“My dear father, I love you forever and ever,” his daughter, Sean, said. “You are a genius father and a genius musician. My genius. My nightingale. With the most beautiful voice in the world, from whom all artists draw inspiration.

“Father, you were and will forever be the legendary soundtrack of us all,” she said.

Family members and friends attend a funeral service for singer and composer Matti Caspi, who died after a prolonged battle with cancer, in Tel Aviv, February 9, 2026. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

“In the last year, we helped you try to recover, we did everything we could to get you well, and you promised me that you would return to singing. Now you will sing with angels,” she added. “I promise to continue your legacy forever. At least you are no longer suffering.”

His son Bar also eulogized him: “When I want to see you, I look in the mirror. When I want to hear you, I talk to myself in a low, quiet voice. You always felt a little far away, but as close as could be. Now you’re just even further away, but even closer. I love you, Dad.”

“This is the man whose melodies, arrangements, and playing taught us ‘what love is’ and how to look for ‘a place to worry,'” Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai told those in attendance, referencing two of his songs. “Matti Caspi, thank you for your flourishing field of creativity.”

“We wouldn’t have Israeli culture without you,” Huldai added.

Family members and friends attend a funeral service for Israeli singer and composer Matti Caspi in Tel Aviv, February 9, 2026. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

Caspi was born in 1949 in Kibbutz Hanita, in northern Israel, and formed his first musical band while serving in the military. Over the course of his career, he produced some 1,000 songs, including many of Israel’s most beloved tunes, including “Brit Olam” (Eternal Covenant), “Ekh Ze SheKochav” (How Is It That a Star), “Hine Hine” (Here Here), “Lo Yadati SheTelchi Mimeni” (I Didn’t Know You Would Leave Me), and “Shir HaYonah” (The Song of the Dove).

Caspi developed metastases from cancer last year, and continued touring and performing until June, when his cancer caused paralysis in his left hand, preventing him from playing guitar and piano.

Matti Capsi’s children cry above his casket as family and friends gathered for the funeral of the famed musician in Kfar Saba, February 9, 2026. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

“I’ll fight in every way possible. I’ll be stubborn to the end,” he said in July.

His family announced his death in a statement on Sunday morning.

Caspi was “one of the greatest Israeli composers of our generation,” President Isaac Herzog said in a statement upon news of his death.

“Matti Caspi is gone,” the president said, “but his contribution to Israeli music and our lives is so present, and will continue to accompany the cultural world for generations.”