September 14 marks the eleventh year without Stylianos (Stelios) Kazantzidis (August 29, 1931 – September 14, 2001). The singer of the poor, the blue collar worker and the Greek of the Diaspora who evolved into one the most cherished singers of all time. Till this day he has an almost worship-like approach from his fans, who continue to feel a wave of emotion with every single one of his songs.
When you talk about Stelios Kazantzidis you have to take into account that he was the most prolific Greek singer of all time. In his musical career, this legend of singer recorded more than 1,500 songs and over 120 albums. His voice combined joy and sorrow as well as surfaced an entire range of emotions to all who listened to him. He was known as the voice of the people, of the weary, of the exploited, of the betrayed, of the refugee and of the immigrant.
Stelios, would not accept singing to commercial songs, and because of that he lost his company and died a poor man. He once said: “I sing for the poor, the immigrants (Greek Diaspora) and the weary. These people cannot afford to go to expensive night clubs, they simply buy my records and regard them as their own Gospels.” And he stuck by this principle until his dying day.
Kazantzidis was born in Nea Ionia (an Athens suburb) on August 29, 1931 into a a family with traditional Pontian roots. When his father passed away he was forced to seek employment in order to support his family. Life was very difficult in post-war Greece, and Stelios found work as a baggage handler in Athens Omonia Square, or sold roasted chestnuts at the open market and he was even employed at the New Ionia textile mill. In fact he even served in the military on Makronissos island.
Anything to get by another day as most people did during that period.
Things turned around for him though right after he was released from the military. The owner of a factory in Perissos (an Athens suburb) gave him a guitar and Stelios spent hours everyday fiddling with it to create music. Almost immediately he began to channel his feelings into every note and he purposely chose songs that dealt with the difficulties and suffering of the working class, or the blue-collar workers. He also especially sung to the Greeks of the Diaspora who during that time were leaving Greece by the thousands in order to find new pastures in new lands. Till this day, most of the families that left in the 50s, 60s and 70s all have 45's of Stelios' work.
He began to take his new passion more seriously and he soon after made his first nightclub appearance in Kifissa. Two short years later, or specifically in 1952 he made his first studio recording, and his deep voice was brought to life through the music of famous composer Apostolos Kaldaras. Following that he worked with legends such as Yannis Papaioannou, Hiotis, Yiorgos Mitsakis, Tsistanis, Loizos, Hatzidakis, Theodorakis and Xarhakos.
In 1965 and only thirteen years after starring in the Greek nightclub scene he abandoned the "Athens by night" lifestyle and made very few live appearances. He recorded many albums and after releasing no. 120 in 1976, he decided it was time to hang up his coat and occupy himself with his other passion... fishing.
Stelios died of a brain tumor (brought about by cancer) on September 14, 2001. His death was an emotional event for Greece, as attested to by the many obituaries in appreciation of his life and work. He was given a national funeral through the streets of Elefsina (south of Athens) and the whole thing was broadcasted live on Greek television.
His wife Vaso, and his former wife Marinella were by his side until his last hours.
What can we say: The songs: timeless; The list: endless; There are no amount of words to describe Stelios,
Watch over us in peace
Signed
MS
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