Difference between revisions of "Grigoris Bithikotsis"

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*''[[Episimi Agapimeni]]'' (''Best Loved Songs'')
 
*''[[Episimi Agapimeni]]'' (''Best Loved Songs'')
 
*''[[Gia panta No. 1]]'' (''Forever #1'')
 
*''[[Gia panta No. 1]]'' (''Forever #1'')
*''[[Gia ton Grigori – I Synanlia to Stadio Erininis kai Filias]]'' (''For Grigoris'', in Peace and Friendship Stadium)
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*''[[Gia ton Grigori – I Synanlia to Stadio Erininis kai Filias]]'' (''For Grigoris'', in [[Peace and Friendship Stadium]])
 
*''[[Mazi (discography)|Mazi]]'' (with [[Stelios Kazantzidis]])  
 
*''[[Mazi (discography)|Mazi]]'' (with [[Stelios Kazantzidis]])  
 
*''[[Mazi me ton Grigori]]'' (''Together with Grigoris'')
 
*''[[Mazi me ton Grigori]]'' (''Together with Grigoris'')
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==External links==
 
==External links==
 
*[http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_civ_100006_12/04/2005_55120 Obituary in ''Kathimerini'']
 
*[http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_civ_100006_12/04/2005_55120 Obituary in ''Kathimerini'']
*[http://www.greekradio.net/media/rebetiko/Rebetiko03.wma ''Se toyto to steno''] (Audio file)
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*[http://www.greekradio.net/media/rebetiko/Rebetiko03.wma ''Se touto to steno''] (Audio file)
 
*[http://www.greekradio.net/media/rebetiko/Rebetiko21.wma ''Enas alitis pethane'' (20:40)] (Audio file)
 
*[http://www.greekradio.net/media/rebetiko/Rebetiko21.wma ''Enas alitis pethane'' (20:40)] (Audio file)
  

Latest revision as of 10:22, June 23, 2009

Grigoris Bithikotsis (Greek Γρηγόρης Μπιθικώτσης) (December 11, 1922 - April 7, 2005) was a popular Greek laika singer/songwriter with a career spanning five decades.

Bithikotsis was born in Peristeri, 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 rebetiko 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: Stou Belami to ouzeri and Tou Votanikou o mangas. 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 1950's 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.

Discography

External links