Israeli Artist and Former Bruce Springsteen Violinist Suki Lahav Dies at 74

Tzruya 'Suki' Lahav, an Israeli violinist and poet known for her work with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in the mid-1970s, has passed away at age 74. Her son, Yonatan Albalak, announced her death on Facebook on April 2, noting she succumbed to cancer after a brief struggle. Lahav joined Springsteen's group from 1974 to 1975, contributing to albums such as 'The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle' and 'Born to Run.' She performed the violin introduction on the track 'Jungleland' and provided vocal layers for '4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)' after a scheduled choir did not appear. Additionally, she participated in a well-known cover of Bob Dylan's 'I Want You.' Her connection to Springsteen began when her husband, Louis Lahav, worked as an engineer on the musician's 1972 debut record. In a 2007 interview, Lahav described herself as a young woman from Kibbutz Ayelet Hashahar in Israel's Upper Galilee, transitioning from folk music to rock performances. Beyond her time with Springsteen, she maintained a significant artistic presence in Israel, collaborating with the band Tamuz and composing songs for artists like Rita, including 'Yemei Hatom' and 'Shara Barkhovot.' Her accolades include the ACUM Lifetime Achievement Award and the Arik Einstein Prize. In 1990, 'Shara Barkhovot' was entered as Israel's candidate for the Eurovision Song Contest.