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Yiannis Poulopoulos

Yiannis Poulopoulos in the recording studio

Yiannis Poulopoulos was a Greek singer.

Poulopoulos was born on June 29, 1942, in Kardamyli, Messenia prefecture in the Peloponnese but grew up in Peristeri, Athens.

He started singing in 1963 but struggled as a singer for several years before he was established. In the meantime, he worked as a builder and a painter and also played football for local clubs.

By 1965 Poulopoulos was singing songs by Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Loizos, Stavros Kouyioumtzis and had his first big hit "Μη μου θυμώνεις μάτια μου" (Don't get angry, my love).

In the late 1960s, Poulopoulos was established as a singer and sang in musicals. In 1969 he recorded the first golden record in Greek musical history: "Ο Δρόμος" (The Path) in collaboration with lyricist Lefteris Papadopoulos and composer Mimis Plessas.

In the early 1970s, Poulopoulos sang poems by Pablo Neruda and Federico Garcia Lorca that had been made into songs. His songs became a success as the Greek people found in them an expression of their anti-dictatorial feelings, at a time when no other expression was permitted.

Poulopoulos has continued recording and appearing in clubs and boites. He has 11 golden hits to his credit, three of which became platinum. His music has ranged from Laika to Elafro to Neo Kyma and even Rebetiko style.

He died on August 23, 2020.