Grigoris Bithikotsis

Considered by many as the greatest Greek singer, Grigoris Bithikotsis had a career that spanned 60 years, during which he recorded more than 200 songs.

A master of the bouzouki, Bithikotsis's unparalleled skill with the instrument earned him widespread acclaim and respect within the industry. However, it was his soulful and hauntingly poignant voice that truly distinguished him as a luminary in the realm of Greek folk and rebetiko music. His vocal interpretations earned him the trust of Greece's finest composers and songwriters; he is among the few who worked with the three masters of Rembetiko - Markos Vamvekaris, Vasilis Tsisanis, and Mikis Theodorakis.

Born on December 11, 1922, in the picturesque town of Sykia, Bithikotsis began his musical journey at a tender age, discovering a deep passion for the traditional Greek bouzouki. It was this passion that would eventually propel him to the forefront of the Greek music scene, where his powerful voice and emotive renditions captured the hearts of countless listeners.

Bithikotsis worked with many skilled composers and even composed some of his greatest hits himself (such as "Tou Votankiou O Mages" and "Ena Omorfu Amazi me dio Aloga"). However, it was his collaboration with Mikis Theodorakis that produced most of his enduring hits. Some of my favorites include "Vrehi Sti Ftohogitonia," "Kaimos," and "Tis Xenitias," but there are many more.

In 2002, three years before his passing, Bithikotsis was the guest of honor at a concert celebrating his long-lasting career. At the end of the concert, all the artists who had performed invited him to go on stage and perform his song "Tou Votanikou O Mages" together. The sight of him dancing the Zebekiko at the age of 82 with a big smile and unbeatable "joie de vivre" is a memory cherished by Rembetiko lovers worldwide for the rest of their lives.

Grigoris Bithikotsis passed away on the evening of May 7, 2005, leaving behind a profound legacy that continues to resonate in the hearts of music enthusiasts worldwide.