Name Grigoris Bithikotsis | Role Singer-songwriter | |
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Children Anna Bithikotsi, Grigoris Bithikotsis, Anastasia Bithikotsi Albums To Axion Esti, Romiosini, Epitafios‑Epifania, Grigoris Mpithikotsis, Sings Theodorakis Similar People | ||
Grigoris bithikotsis aponi zoi
Grigoris Bithikotsis (Greek Γρηγόρης Μπιθικώτσης, [ɣriˈɣoris biθiˈkot͜sis]; December 11, 1922 - April 7, 2005) was a popular Greek folk singer/songwriter with a career spanning five decades.
Contents
- Grigoris bithikotsis aponi zoi
- Concert dedicated to grigoris bithikotsis 2002
- Biography
- Discography
- References
Concert dedicated to grigoris bithikotsis 2002
Biography
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 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 three months of hospitalization. His funeral was attended by thousands, including representatives of all the Greek political parties.