Northern Command Variety Ensemble

The Northern Command Ensemble (or Group, Troupe), Hebrew: להקת פיקוד הצפון (translterated Lahakat Pikud HaTzafon) is an Israeli military band established in 1954. They were popular in the 1960s and 1970s, and had many hit songs in Israel during that period. The preference for performing old songs and the lack of success for their albums at the time caused the dissolution of the band in 1990. They were reestablished in 2001. Today the ensemble gives concerts for IDF soldiers and raises funds for the IDF. They released 16 albums between 1955 and 2008.