Shalom Hanoch (Hebrew: שלום חנוך, b. September 1, 1946) is an Israeli rock singer, lyricist and composer, considered one of the founders of Israeli rock music. His works have profoundly influenced Israeli rock and modern Israeli music in general, both as a soloist and as member of several groups. His collaboration with Arik Einstein gave birth to some of the first Israeli rock albums.

Shalom Hanoch was born in Kibbutz Mishmarot. As a child his musical talent was known in the Kibbutz, and until he discovered Rock music, he listened to a wide variety of genres (from Classical, through Russian folk music, Gospel and Blues).

In 1967 Shalom performed in the High Windows club in Tel Aviv. It was there that he was introduced to Arik Einstein, who was already a star in Israel. Impressed with what he had seen and heard, Einstein suggested that Hanoch write songs for him. A first EP, Hagar was released the same year, with four of Hanoch's compositions performed by Einstein.

Hanoch's great breakthrough occurred in 1968 when Arik Einstein recorded his second album, Mazal Gdi, which contained only songs written by Hanoch. He also wrote the lyrics for six of them. The Cooperation between the two continued in the national Song Contest (Festival HaZemer), when Einstein performed Hanoch's songs. But the complex, unusual song "Prague," which dealt with the Soviet invasion of the capital of the Czech Republic, was not well received by the audience.

In 1969 Hanoch and his former Nahal-band member, Chanan Yovel, joined with Beni Amdurski and founded the band HaShlosharim. Shalom composed many of the band's songs. In these years he also wrote a lot of songs for other artists.

In 1970 Arik Einstein, Shalom Hanoch and The Churchills created a new Israeli sound, influenced by Anglo-American Rock n' Roll. The album Shablul, in which Hanoch composed all the songs, pioneered this new sound. One of the best-known songs from this album was Ma Ata Ose KsheAta Kam Baboker (What Do You Do When You Wake Up in the Morning). The Churchills, who played on most of the songs, was a band influenced by the Psychedelic rock of the late 60s, and this kind of psychedelia appeared in some of their songs. Shablul's lyrics were another expression of musical innovation and changes in Israeli music. The words were written in popular rather than official and formal language, as was used in Israeli songs before. Along with the extraordinary lyrics, one old-style song was in the album - HaBalada Al Yoel Moshe Salomon (The Ballad About Yo'el Moshe Salomon).

Plastelina, the second Einstein-Hanoch album, was recorded four months after the first. Two more artists who worked with Einstein that time, Shmulik Kraus and Josey Katz, took part in recording and composing. In the same year Hanoch wrote and composed a song for Uri Zohar's Hitromemut movie. In 1971 Hanoch flew to London in order to start an international career.

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