Eden

Formation and Early Years

Eden was an Israeli pop vocal group active between 1996 and 2001. The lineup consisted of Doron Oren, Rafael Dahan, and brothers Gabriel and Eddie Butler. This diverse quartet brought together different backgrounds. Doron had even competed in Israel’s 1996 Eurovision pre-selection (Kdam), while the Butler brothers came from Israel’s Black Hebrew community with American roots. The group was formed in the late 1990s. They honed their harmonies on the Israeli music scene and released their debut single, “Me’ohav” (“In Love”), to local radio in early 1999. This catchy Hebrew pop tune generated buzz for the young band. Eden’s fresh sound and tight vocals quickly gained attention, setting the stage for a breakthrough.

Eurovision Song Contest 1999

In January 1999, Israel’s broadcaster IBA internally selected Eden to represent the host country at the Eurovision Song Contest in Jerusalem. The group’s entry was “Yom Huledet (Happy Birthday)”, an upbeat pop song co-written by Eurovision veteran Moshe Datz alongside the group’s Gabriel Butler. Notably, the song featured bilingual lyrics, blending Hebrew and English lines to broaden its appeal. At the Eurovision final on 29 May 1999, Eden delivered an energetic performance complete with harmonies and choreographed dance moves. Performing 19th on the night, they charmed the international audience with their celebratory anthem. Israel, as defending champion and host, enjoyed a strong showing. Eden finished in 5th place out of 23 entries with 93 points. 

After Eurovision and Group Break-Up

Following their Eurovision success, Eden attempted to build on their momentum. They made television appearances and performed their contest song at events, becoming minor pop celebrities in Israel. However, sustaining the Eurovision spark proved challenging. In the two years after the contest, the group did not manage to produce another hit on the same scale. Despite the talent and publicity, Eden’s mainstream success remained limited to their Eurovision moment. The members gradually pursued different interests, and the band’s activity slowed. In 2001, Eden officially disbanded. The breakup marked the end of a short but memorable chapter in Israeli pop. Their brief career left behind a legacy tied largely to one famous song, yet the experience opened doors for at least one member to continue in music.

Solo Careers and Legacy

After Eden split up, Eddie Butler, the group’s charismatic lead vocalist, launched a solo career. He continued performing in the early 2000s, touring in Europe, Russia, and the United States. In 2002, Butler won a Special Audience Prize at the prestigious New Wave international music festival in Jūrmala, Latvia. This highlighted his ongoing appeal beyond Israel. Eddie Butler remains best known for making a comeback to the Eurovision stage a few years later. In 2006 he was selected to represent Israel again, this time as a solo artist. He performed the soulful ballad “Together We Are One” in Athens, a bilingual Hebrew-English song that carried a message of unity. Although his second Eurovision journey ended with a disappointing 23rd place finish in the final, it solidified Butler’s status as a persistent figure in Israel’s pop scene.

The other Eden members mostly stepped out of the limelight after the group’s breakup. Gabriel Butler, Eddie’s older brother, did not pursue a high-profile solo career, and both Doron Oren and Rafael Dahan moved on to private life and other ventures.