Sotiria Bellou

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Sotiria Bellou ( Greek Σωτηρία Μπέλλου , born August 29, 1921 in Chalkis ; † August 27, 1997 ) was a Greek singer. She is considered one of the most important representatives of Rembetiko , the music of the urban subculture.

She was born in Chalia (today Drossi in Chalkida ). When she saw the movie I prosphygopoula , she decided to become a singer. After a short marriage, she came to Athens on October 28, 1940 (the day the Italians invaded Greece) and made her way there as a waitress. As a member of the Communist resistance she was arrested several times. She was discovered in 1947 by the important musician and composer Vassilis Tsitsanis , and her recordings made her very popular. After the popularity of rebetiko had generally declined in the early 1960s , it made a comeback in 1966. After her death in 1997 she was given a grave in the First Athens Cemetery , at her request near the grave of her patron Vassilis Tsitsanis.

Sotiria Bellou always lived her own life. She was an avowed lesbian , lost a lot of money in the game, was generous to her friends. Her voice was hoarse, any sentimentality was alien to her. She always stood by what she sang. The secret of their success lies in this authenticity.

Works

  • 1976: I Archontissa Tou Rebetikou 7
  • 1988: Sotiria Bellou
  • 1995: Laika Proastia
  • 1995: Rebetiko of Sotiria Bellou

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Bellou, Sotiria
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Μπέλλου, Σωτηρία (Greek)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Greek representative of Rembetiko
DATE OF BIRTH August 29, 1921
PLACE OF BIRTH Chalkis
DATE OF DEATH August 27, 1997