Mando (singer)
Encyclopedia
Mando born Adamantia Stamatopoulou (Greek
: Αδαμαντία Σταματοπούλου), is a popular Greek
singer. She was born in Piraeus
on April 13 and raised in Athens
by her jazz pianist father, Nikos Stamatopoulos and a classic soprano
opera mother Mary Apergi. From a young age she began to develop her talent and interest in music, and was characterized as a "born musician
". On 14 March 2010, Alpha TV
ranked Mando the 23rd top-certified female artist in the nation's phonographic era (since 1960), totalling five gold records.
At the age of 14 along with her school work, her music, and her English
and French
lessons, she performed in the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar", under the direction of Mimis Plessas
and Dimitris Malavetas.
She has sung for various orchestras and as a member of various jazz groups and trios, working with music in all its textures: jazz, Greek, European, American, Arabic. She has sung and composed all types of music.
and Liza Minnelli
) and interacted with many musicians, producers and with people who helped her talent grow. Her diverse knowledge and international edge defined her as the Greek artist with the international voice. Vangelis Yannopoulos, an A&R manager with record company Minos Emi heard of all these assets and signed Mando for her first album with the company that she stayed with for six successful albums:"Dos mou ena fili... Afto to kalokeri" (Give me a kiss... This summer), "Ptisi gia dio" (Flight for two), "Kinisi triti" (Third move), "Esthisis" (Senses), "I diki mas I agapi" (Our love), and "Anisiho vlema" (Uneasy look).
She has released four albums under the Sony label: "Ston evdomo ourano" (On the seventh sky), "Gia oles tis fores" (For all the times), "Prodosia" (Betrayal), "Se alli Diastasi" (In another dimension). She also released three CD singles under this label
Mando's hits include "Danika" (Borrowed), "Faros" (Lighthouse), "Ston evdomo ourano" (On the seventh sky), "Esi" (You), "Fotia sta prepi" (Burn the have to's).
Her international tours have included cities such as Los Angeles, London, Paris, Toronto, Montreal, New York, and Chicago.
She has toured and collaborated with many established artists such as: Marinella
, D. Mitropanos, Tolis Voskopoulos, Paschalis Terzis, C. Nikolopoulos, Dimitra Galani.
Mando has collaborated with the best songwriters in the Greek music business, such as Phoivos, A. Papadimitriou, K. Haritodiplomenos, N. Germanou, G. Theofanous, E. Giannatsoulia. Several of Mando's compositions have been sung by artists such as P. Terzis and K. Kouka.
Mando composes mainly on her guitar. She penned the track "Where You Are
" for Jessica Simpson
; it has been chosen as the theme song to 20th century Fox's film production titled "Here On Earth". It has sold more than one million copies.
An international collaboration is that with Jean Michel Jarre
on one of his own tracks and sung by Mando in Greek with the title "Zoi" (Life); it will be included on her new album.
Another international collaboration is Mando's duet with Turkish
top artist Sertab Erener
, titled "Aşk/Fos" (Love/Light).
At the end of 2003, Mando recorded a new double album with Alpha records called Oi agapes fevgoun, ta tragoudia menoun (The loves are gone by, the songs remain).
was in 1989
; she was second, only one point behind Marianna
. She took action against the Greek television station ERT because one of the jury members didn't vote. She won the ruling, but because it was too late to reverse the decision, Marianna went to Eurovision.
Mando was chosen to represent Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003
with the song "Never Let You Go
". She was placed 17th.
and one English
. The first single from the Greek album titled "Dos Mou Logo Na Sotho" (" Δως Μου Λόγο Να Σωθώ ") is a rock
song and was released as a music video
on May 10, 2008, premiering on "Megastar". The album, titled Mando II
was released on May 30, 2008 with twelve new tracks.
The English album, provisionally titled Afraid of the Dark, has evident American
beats and is a very promising international album for Mando. Four songs from the album were released by means of her official Myspace
and the album was expected to be released sometime in 2009 but it was cancelled.
Nowadays she appears at the night club 'Athens On The Rocks' alongside Pascalis and Greek singer and songwriter Sofia Arvaniti. In the period 1985-2007, she has sung with Anna Vissi
, Nikos Karvelas
and Vasilis Papakonstantinou
, and has co-operated with songwriters such as Michalis Rakintzis
and Costas Haritodiplomenos.
EPs
CD Singles
Greek alphabet
The Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...
: Αδαμαντία Σταματοπούλου), is a popular Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
singer. She was born in Piraeus
Piraeus
Piraeus is a city in the region of Attica, Greece. Piraeus is located within the Athens Urban Area, 12 km southwest from its city center , and lies along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf....
on April 13 and raised in 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...
by her jazz pianist father, Nikos Stamatopoulos and a classic soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
opera mother Mary Apergi. From a young age she began to develop her talent and interest in music, and was characterized as a "born musician
Child prodigy
A child prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding...
". On 14 March 2010, Alpha TV
Alpha TV
Alpha TV is a Greek terrestrial channel . The station features a mix of Greek and foreign shows with an emphasis on entertainment programs. The studios are located near Athens...
ranked Mando the 23rd top-certified female artist in the nation's phonographic era (since 1960), totalling five gold records.
Early life
At the age of four Mando could easily sing operatic arias, gospel and jazz music. Her parents, astonished by her musical capability, signed her with the National Conservatory for piano and music theory lessons. Meanwhile, she took up vocal training and dance lessons. At the age of ten, Mando began to teach herself how to play the guitar and various percussion instruments. Her dedication and passion quickly led her to compose her own melodies.At the age of 14 along with her school work, her music, and her English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
lessons, she performed in the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar", under the direction of Mimis Plessas
Mimis Plessas
Mimis Plessas is one of the most significant modern Greek composers. He was born in Athens. In 1952 he started composing music and since then he has written music for over 100 Greek movies, Greek radio, theatre and TV...
and Dimitris Malavetas.
She has sung for various orchestras and as a member of various jazz groups and trios, working with music in all its textures: jazz, Greek, European, American, Arabic. She has sung and composed all types of music.
Personal life
Mando has two children, a boy and a girl and her sister, Chriso Stamatopoulou, was a contestant on the "Super Idol" reality television show.1983–2002
After the completion of her music studies and at the age of 18 she signed her first record contract with CBS, which gave her the international hit "Fill me up" and offered her the chance of an international career at a very young age. Mando remained in America for five years where she took up vocal training with Hal Sheaffer (vocal trainer of Barbra StreisandBarbra Streisand
Barbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,...
and Liza Minnelli
Liza Minnelli
Liza May Minnelli is an American actress and singer. She is the daughter of singer and actress Judy Garland and film director Vincente Minnelli....
) and interacted with many musicians, producers and with people who helped her talent grow. Her diverse knowledge and international edge defined her as the Greek artist with the international voice. Vangelis Yannopoulos, an A&R manager with record company Minos Emi heard of all these assets and signed Mando for her first album with the company that she stayed with for six successful albums:"Dos mou ena fili... Afto to kalokeri" (Give me a kiss... This summer), "Ptisi gia dio" (Flight for two), "Kinisi triti" (Third move), "Esthisis" (Senses), "I diki mas I agapi" (Our love), and "Anisiho vlema" (Uneasy look).
She has released four albums under the Sony label: "Ston evdomo ourano" (On the seventh sky), "Gia oles tis fores" (For all the times), "Prodosia" (Betrayal), "Se alli Diastasi" (In another dimension). She also released three CD singles under this label
Mando's hits include "Danika" (Borrowed), "Faros" (Lighthouse), "Ston evdomo ourano" (On the seventh sky), "Esi" (You), "Fotia sta prepi" (Burn the have to's).
Her international tours have included cities such as Los Angeles, London, Paris, Toronto, Montreal, New York, and Chicago.
She has toured and collaborated with many established artists such as: Marinella
Marinella
Marinella is one of the most popular Greek singers whose career has spanned several decades. She has sung professionally since 1957. Since the beginning of her career, she has released 66 personal albums and has been featured in albums of other musicians.-Early life:She was born Kyriaki...
, D. Mitropanos, Tolis Voskopoulos, Paschalis Terzis, C. Nikolopoulos, Dimitra Galani.
Mando has collaborated with the best songwriters in the Greek music business, such as Phoivos, A. Papadimitriou, K. Haritodiplomenos, N. Germanou, G. Theofanous, E. Giannatsoulia. Several of Mando's compositions have been sung by artists such as P. Terzis and K. Kouka.
Mando composes mainly on her guitar. She penned the track "Where You Are
Where You Are
"Where You Are" is the second single from Jessica Simpson's debut album, Sweet Kisses. Released in 2000, the single reached sixty-two on the Billboard Hot 100 , becoming Simpson's third Hot 100 chart entry. The single is most known for being the first single ever in which Simpson professionally...
" for Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson
Jessica Ann Simpson is an American recording artist, actress, television personality, and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials, launched a line of hair and...
; it has been chosen as the theme song to 20th century Fox's film production titled "Here On Earth". It has sold more than one million copies.
An international collaboration is that with Jean Michel Jarre
Jean Michel Jarre
Jean Michel André Jarre is a French composer, performer and music producer. He is a pioneer in the electronic, ambient and New Age genres, and known as an organiser of outdoor spectacles of his music featuring lights, laser displays, and fireworks.Jarre was raised in Lyon by his mother and...
on one of his own tracks and sung by Mando in Greek with the title "Zoi" (Life); it will be included on her new album.
Another international collaboration is Mando's duet with Turkish
Turkish people
Turkish people, also known as the "Turks" , are an ethnic group primarily living in Turkey and in the former lands of the Ottoman Empire where Turkish minorities had been established in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Romania...
top artist Sertab Erener
Sertab Erener
Sertab Erener is a Turkish pop music singer and also a cross-over soprano with a vocal range that extends to high F. She is one of the most successful female Turkish pop singers in her homeland, and is considered one of the divas of Turkish pop music...
, titled "Aşk/Fos" (Love/Light).
At the end of 2003, Mando recorded a new double album with Alpha records called Oi agapes fevgoun, ta tragoudia menoun (The loves are gone by, the songs remain).
2003: Eurovision
Mando's first attempt to enter the Eurovision Song ContestEurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
was in 1989
Eurovision Song Contest 1989
The Eurovision Song Contest 1989 was the 34th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 6 May 1989 in Lausanne, Switzerland. Switzerland gained the hosting rights after Celine Dion's victory in Dublin the previous year. The presenters were Lolita Morena and Jacques Deschenaux. Riva was the winner of...
; she was second, only one point behind Marianna
Mariana Efstratiou
Marianna Efstratiou is a Greek singer, connected on several occasions with the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1987 she appeared as a backing singer for the duo Bang. Efstratiou won the Greek national song contest in 1989, overcoming Greek superstar Anna Vissi, and represented Greece in Lausanne with...
. She took action against the Greek television station ERT because one of the jury members didn't vote. She won the ruling, but because it was too late to reverse the decision, Marianna went to Eurovision.
Mando was chosen to represent Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003
Eurovision Song Contest 2003
The Eurovision Song Contest 2003 was the forty-eighth Eurovision Song Contest, held at the Skonto Hall in Riga, Latvia on 24 May 2003. The hosts were Marie N and Renārs Kaupers. Sertab Erener, the Turkish entrant, won the contest with "Everyway That I Can", scoring 167 points. The winning...
with the song "Never Let You Go
Never Let You Go (Mando song)
"Never Let You Go" was the Greek entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003, performed by Mando entirely in English, the first time the Greek entry had not had any lyrics in Greek. The song was certified gold in Greece...
". She was placed 17th.
2008–present: Mando II and Afraid of the Dark
Mando planned a comeback for 2008 with two new albums: one GreekGreek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
and one English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. The first single from the Greek album titled "Dos Mou Logo Na Sotho" (" Δως Μου Λόγο Να Σωθώ ") is a rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
song and was released as a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
on May 10, 2008, premiering on "Megastar". The album, titled Mando II
Mando II
Mando II is the Greek singer Mando's twelfth studio album and comeback after a five year absence from the Greek music scene. It was released on May 30, 2008, by Polymusic and was Mando's first release since 2003....
was released on May 30, 2008 with twelve new tracks.
The English album, provisionally titled Afraid of the Dark, has evident American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
beats and is a very promising international album for Mando. Four songs from the album were released by means of her official Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
and the album was expected to be released sometime in 2009 but it was cancelled.
Trivia and news
In 1992, Mando was the first Greek artist to form her own fan club. It now has more than 20,000 members. She was also the first artist to create her own website.Nowadays she appears at the night club 'Athens On The Rocks' alongside Pascalis and Greek singer and songwriter Sofia Arvaniti. In the period 1985-2007, she has sung with Anna Vissi
Anna Vissi
Anna Vissi , known as Anna Vishy in Cypriot Greek, is a Greek-Cypriot recording artist and actress...
, Nikos Karvelas
Nikos Karvelas
Nikos Karvelas is a Greek songwriter, producer and singer. He has sold millions of records as a producer and is most recognizable for his three-decade-long collaboration with Anna Vissi, while some of his other well-known collaborations include Sakis Rouvas. Karvelas has released multiple...
and Vasilis Papakonstantinou
Vasilis Papakonstantinou
Vasilis Papakonstantinou is a Greek singer known mostly for his work in Greek rock. Most of his songs have gained considerable popularity, mainly in Greece and Cyprus.- Early life :...
, and has co-operated with songwriters such as Michalis Rakintzis
Michalis Rakintzis
Michalis Rakintzis is a male Greek singer. He was born in Athens and studied Mechanical Engineering in Great Britain. From 1982 to 1985, he participated at a rock group called Scraptown...
and Costas Haritodiplomenos.
Discography
Studio Albums- 1989: Dos Mou Ena Fili... Afto to KalokairiDos Mou Ena Fili... Afto to KalokairiDos Mou Ena Fili... Afto to Kalokairi is an album by the Greek singer Mando. It was released in Greece in 1989 by Minos and is her first official Greek release. The album was certified Gold in Greece, making the top 5 there...
(Give Me A Kiss... This Summer) - 1990: Ptisi Gia DioPtisi Gia DioPtisi Gia Dio is an album by the Greek singer Mando and her second Greek studio album. It was released in Greece in 1990 by Minos.. The album established her fame in Greece and was certified Gold two months after its release, supported by the airplay-hit "Stihimatizo" which reached #2 on the...
(Flight For Two) - 1991: Kinisi TritiKinisi TritiKinisi Triti is an album by the Greek singer Mando. It was released in Greece in 1991 by Minos.. The second single released from the album achieved significant success, as it topped the Greek singles chart for two weeks, helping Kinisi Triti, to become Mando's first Platinum and #1 album...
(The Third Move) - 1992: EsthisisEsthisisEsthisis is an album by the Greek singer Mando. It was released in Greece in 1992 by Minos EMI. It became Mando's first multi-Platinum album. It produced several hit singles and remained on the top position of the charts for four weeks...
(Sensations) - 1993: I Diki Mas I AgapiI Diki Mas I AgapiI Diki Mas I Agapi is an album by the Greek singer Mando. It was released in Greece in 1993 by Minos EMI. The single "Filakise me" reached #2 in Greece and eventually went Gold. Supported by its success, I Diki mas i Agapi went on to go Platinum in both Cyprus and Greece...
(Our Love) - 1994: Anisiho VlemmaAnisiho VlemmaAnisiho Vlemma is an album by the Greek singer Mando, released in Greece in 1994 by Minos EMI. It contained hits like "Dyo Filia Nyhterina", "Aporo" and "Erimin", as well as the mid-tempo ballad "Theli Anemo I Agapi". For the first time in her career, Mando composed many of the songs on the album....
(Worried Stare) - 1995: I Mando Ston Evdomo OuranoI Mando Ston Evdomo OuranoI Mando Ston Evdomo Ourano is an album by the Greek singer Mando. It was released in Greece in October 1995 by Sony Music Greece after her departure from Minos EMI. The album reached #1 and went 2x Platinum in both Greece and Cyprus...
(Mando In The Seventh Heaven) - 1997: Gia Oles Tis ForesGia Oles Tis ForesGia Oles Tis Fores is an album by the Greek singer Mando. It was released in Greece in June 1997 by Sony Music Greece. The single "Danika" reached #1 in Greece. The album was generally very warmly received by critics. It eventually went double-Platinum in Greece, continuing her string of...
(For All The Times) - 1998: ProdosiaProdosiaProdosia is an album by the Greek singer Mando. It was released in Greece in November 1998 by Sony Music Greece.. The album was supported by the #2 hit in Greece and Cyprus "Fotia sta Prepei". Despite the success of the lead single, the album only went Platinum in Greece and reached a low #3 there,...
(Betrayal) - 2000: Se Alli DiastasiSe Alli DiastasiSe Alli Diastasi is an album by the Greek singer Mando. It was released in Greece in September 2000 by Sony Music Greece. The album is more pop than Mando's previous one, with many western type songs. Hits of the album include "Akoma Mia Fora", "S'Efharisto" and, the most successful one, "Pio...
(In Another Dimension) - 2003: Oi Megaliteres EpityhiesOi Megaliteres EpityhiesI Megaliteres Epityhies is a compilation album by the Greek singer Mando which was released in Greece in March 2003. It contains Mando's greatest hits from the albums that she released under the label of Sony Music Greece...
(The Greatest Hits) - 2003: Oi Agapes Fevgoun, Ta Tragoudia MenounOi Agapes Fevgoun, Ta Tragoudia MenounOi Agapes Fevgoun, Ta Tragoudia Menoun is the eleventh studio album by Mando. It was released in December 2003 and has gone Platinum in Greece. It did not live up to the high expectations, but it still was considerably successful...
(Loves Go, Songs Stay) - 2008: Mando IIMando IIMando II is the Greek singer Mando's twelfth studio album and comeback after a five year absence from the Greek music scene. It was released on May 30, 2008, by Polymusic and was Mando's first release since 2003....
- 2011: Perfection (TBA)
EPs
- 1986: "Fill Me Up" (With Your Love)
- 1986: "Set Yourself In Motion"
- 2001: "Mando & Coltrane Big BandMando & Coltrane Big Band"Mando & Coltrane Big Band" is a single by the Greek popular singer Mando, released in Europe in November 2001 through Europe Records. After releasing a couple of successful albums in Greece, Mando surpriseds everyone at the end of 2001, by doing something she had wanted for a long time but which...
" - 2002: "Ligo LigoLigo Ligo (Mando song)"Ligo Ligo" is a single by the Greek popular singer Mando, released in Greece in July 2002. This was her last release by Sony Music Greece, after many years of success....
"
CD Singles
- 2003: "Never Let You GoNever Let You Go (Mando song)"Never Let You Go" was the Greek entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003, performed by Mando entirely in English, the first time the Greek entry had not had any lyrics in Greek. The song was certified gold in Greece...
"