(1931 – 2001)
Greek singer born in Nea Ionia, Athens on 29th August, 1931, his parents were originated from Pontos, Asia Minor.
He is considered to be one of the most popular and influential Greek Laiko singers (at an era where the Rembetiko was fading and giving its place to Laiko), and well known for capturing poor people’s feelings in the difficult post-war period in Hellas, he also sang in his unique way songs about love, abandonment, separation, pain and more.
His father was killed for supporting the resistance (during the civil war), Stelios lost his father at the age of 14 and was also chased in his life for his leftish beliefs.
1952 he recorded his first song at Columbia, Athens titled: “Για μπάνιο πάω κι αν θέλεις έλα” that didn’t go very well. His first success was: “Οι βαλίτσες (Δεν θέλω το κακό σου)” .Until 1959 he had recorded around 300 songs on 78rpm shellac records.
1959 from the release of his song “Μαντουμπάλα” Αφοί Λαμπρόπουλοι, the publishers, earned 3.000.000 drachmas and gave the artist 800 drachmas! This was his first fight with the labels and the start for the labels to give percentage to the artists in Greece. He also changed the general way that artists were approached by businessmen from a concert to a record deal. These reasons forced him to create his own record company and pressing plant: Standard (7) where he was fought not to achieve this and was rejected 3 times in order to receive his licence.
Also, he lived a humble life away from the TV and the press.He even stopped performing live because ,as he said ,people couldn’t afford the high prices that the night clubs were asking them since 1965.
1957 – 1965 he made a successful duet and a couple with Μαρινέλλα.
Died on the 14th of September, 2001, his funeral was broadcast live on Greek national television.
Stelios Kazantzidis's first album Η Στεναχώρια Μου (I Stenahoria Mou) released on Sun Mar 01 1970.
The most popular album by Stelios Kazantzidis's is Η Στεναχώρια Μου (I Stenahoria Mou)
Stelios Kazantzidis's first song Δεν Θα Ξαναγαπήσω (Den Tha Xanagapiso) released on Thu Jan 01 1970.