Manolis Chiotis

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Manolis Chiotis ( Greek Μανώλης Χιώτης , * March 21, 1920 in Thessaloniki ; † March 21, 1970 ) was a Greek composer , bouzouki - virtuoso and singer .

Chiotis began to learn the classical guitar in his youth. In the mid-1930s he was sent to Athens to study violin. Shortly after his arrival in Athens, he began to be interested in bouzouki. He is regarded as one of the most important representatives of Rembetiko . He was the most popular bouzouki player in his lifetime and has appeared as a soloist on more than 600 recordings, from Markos Vamvakaris to Mikis Theodorakis . He recorded his first song of his own in 1936 at the age of 16. About 250 pieces followed by 1970. He also acted in several Greek films. He also gained recognition in the USA . President Johnson invited him to play at his birthday party. According to an anecdote, guitarist Jimi Hendrix is said to have appreciated Chiotis' skills in an interview; however, there is no evidence of this from his lifetime.

In the 1960s, Chiotis popularized the bouzouki with four double strings - a very controversial innovation to this day among traditional bouzouki lovers.

Individual evidence

  1. http://www.imdb.de/name/nm1021627/
  2. Nikos Fotakis: When Jimi Hendrix did (not) meet Manolis Chiotis - and other persisting Greek music myths (When Jimi Hendrix (did not) meet Manolis Chiotis - and other persistent myths of Greek music.) In: Neos Kosmos , September 15, 2017 , accessed on June 4, 2019.

Web links