Grigoris Bithikotsis
Encyclopedia
Grigoris Bithikotsis was a popular Greek
folk singer/songwriter with a career spanning five decades.
, Athens
, in 1922 to a poor family. He became interested in music at an early age, and acquired a bouzouki
as soon as he was able. At first, he had to hide the instrument at a friend's house and practice in secret, as his father disapproved of the new rembetiko style that had captured his son's interest.
He met composer Mikis Theodorakis
in 1959 and the two collaborated producing folk songs. Bithikotsis composed over 80 songs, including: Stu Belami to ouzeri and Toy Votanikou o magas. He possessed a rich singing voice with which he performed his own compositions and those of Theodorakis, who frequently chose his friend Grigoris to perform his masterpieces. The two contributed greatly to the then-emerging laika style of Greek music.
A leftist, he was exiled to the island of Makronisos
in the 1950s during the reign of King Paul
.
Throughout his life, Bithikotsis performed frequent concerts at numerous venues, including one in Athens upon the occasion of his eightieth birthday. He died in Athens, in 2005, following 3 months of hospitalization. His funeral was attended by thousands, including representatives of all the Greek political parties.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
folk singer/songwriter with a career spanning five decades.
Biography
Bithikotsis was born in PeristeriPeristeri
Peristeri is a suburban municipality in Athens, Greece, located about 5 km NW of the downtown area. The municipality is bordered by the Cephissus/Cephissos River, Athinon Avenue , Chaidari in the west and Petroupoli in the northwest, with a size of around...
, Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, in 1922 to a poor family. He became interested in music at an early age, and acquired a bouzouki
Bouzouki
The bouzouki , is a musical instrument with Greek origin in the lute family. A mainstay of modern Greek music, the front of the body is flat and is usually heavily inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The instrument is played with a plectrum and has a sharp metallic sound, reminiscent of a mandolin but...
as soon as he was able. At first, he had to hide the instrument at a friend's house and practice in secret, as his father disapproved of the new rembetiko style that had captured his son's interest.
He met composer Mikis Theodorakis
Mikis Theodorakis
Mikis Theodorakis is one of the most renowned Greek songwriters and composers. Internationally, he is probably best known for his songs and for his scores for the films Zorba the Greek , Z , and Serpico .Politically, he identified with the left until the late 1980s; in 1989, he ran as an...
in 1959 and the two collaborated producing folk songs. Bithikotsis composed over 80 songs, including: Stu Belami to ouzeri and Toy Votanikou o magas. He possessed a rich singing voice with which he performed his own compositions and those of Theodorakis, who frequently chose his friend Grigoris to perform his masterpieces. The two contributed greatly to the then-emerging laika style of Greek music.
A leftist, he was exiled to the island of Makronisos
Makronisos
Makronisos is an island in the Aegean sea, in Greece and is located close to the coast of Attica, facing the port of Lavrio. It has an elongated shape and its terrain is arid and rocky. In ancient times the island was called Helena. It is part of the prefecture of the Cyclades but it is not part...
in the 1950s during the reign of King Paul
Paul of Greece
Paul reigned as King of Greece from 1947 to 1964.-Family and early life:Paul was born in Athens, the third son of King Constantine I of Greece and his wife, Princess Sophia of Prussia. He was trained as a naval officer....
.
Throughout his life, Bithikotsis performed frequent concerts at numerous venues, including one in Athens upon the occasion of his eightieth birthday. He died in Athens, in 2005, following 3 months of hospitalization. His funeral was attended by thousands, including representatives of all the Greek political parties.
Discography
- 14 Hryses Epityhies N1 (14 Greatest Hits Vol. 1)
- 14 Hryses Epityhies N2 (14 Greatest Hits Vol. 2)
- 1950-1962
- 1963-1971
- 36 Hronia (36 Years)
- Apo tis 45 Strofes No. 4
- Alpha – Omega
- Chamenes Agapes (Lost Loves)
- I Ellada tou Grigori (The Greece of Grigoris)
- Episimi Agapimeni (Best Loved Songs)
- Gia panta No. 1 (Forever #1)
- Gia ton Grigori – I Synavlia to Stadio Erininis kai Filias (For Grigoris, in Peace and Friendship Stadium)
- Mazi (with Stelios KazantzidisStelios KazantzidisStylianos Kazantzidis was a prominent Greek singer. A leading singer of Greek popular music, or Laïkó, he collaborated with many of Greece's foremost composers.-Biography :...
) - Mazi me ton Grigori (Together with Grigoris)
- Megaloprepeia
- Mia gynaika fevgei (One Woman Leaves)
- Oktovriou 1978/October 1978 - with Mikis Theodorakis
- O Agnostos Theos (Strange God)
- Oi Magalyteres Epityhies Tou (His Greatest Hits)
- Ouranio Toxo (Rainbow)
- Prasino fos (Green Light)
- Sti Megali Leoforo (On the Broad Avenue)
- Stratos Dionysiou/Ta zebekika tou Grigori kai tou Stratou (with Stratos DionysiouStratos DionysiouStratos Dionysiou , was a Greek laika and elafro-laika singer who featured predominantly in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.-Early life:...
) - Ta Afthentika No.2
- Apo tous thisayrous ton 45 Strofon (with Vicky MoscholiouVicky MoscholiouVicky Moscholiou , born in Metaxourgeio in Athens, was a Greek singer. On 14 March 2010, Alpha TV ranked Moscholiou the 13th top-certified female artist in the nation's phonographic era ....
) - Tragoudia apo tis 45 Srtrofes
External links
- Obituary in Kathimerini
- Se toyto to steno (Audio file)
- Enas alitis pethane (20:40) (Audio file)