Giorgos Zampetas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Giorgos Zampetas
Γιώργος Ζαμπέτας |
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| Background information | |
| Born | 25 January 1925 Athens, Greece |
| Origin | Kythnos, Greece |
| Died | 10 March 1992 (aged 67) Athens, Greece |
| Genres | Rebetiko, Laiko |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, artist, composer |
| Instruments | Bouzouki |
| Years active | 1950–1992 |
Giorgos Zampetas (pronounced 'Zabetas') was a famous Greek musician. He was a master of the bouzouki, a string instrument popular in Greece. Giorgos was also a talented songwriter and composer. He was born in Athens, Greece, on January 25, 1925, and passed away there on March 10, 1992. His family originally came from the island of Kythnos.
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Early Life of Giorgos Zampetas
Giorgos Zampetas was born in a part of Athens called Metaxourgio. His father, Mihalis, was a barber, and his mother, Marika, had a famous singer in her family. From a very young age, Giorgos loved music.
He would secretly play melodies on a bouzouki while helping his father in the barber shop. He found music in everything around him. When he was just seven years old, in 1932, he won his first award for playing a song in a school contest.
At 13, Giorgos met Vassilis Tsitsanis, a very important figure in Greek music. This meeting greatly influenced Giorgos's musical journey. During the difficult time of the German occupation of Greece in the 1940s, Giorgos started his first band in 1942.
Giorgos Zampetas's Music Career
Giorgos Zampetas became one of Greece's most well-known musicians. He worked with many famous Greek movie stars, like Aliki Vouyouklaki. His music was featured in many Greek films. One of his most famous songs, "Siko Horepse Sirtaki," was used in a popular movie.
He also worked with other great Greek composers, such as Manos Hadjidakis and Mikis Theodorakis. He collaborated with many leading musicians, creating wonderful Greek songs.
Later Years and Passing
As music styles changed, Giorgos faced some challenges. However, in the 1990s, he had a brief return to the spotlight with new recordings. Sadly, his health began to decline in early 1992. He was diagnosed with bone cancer, which was already very serious.
Giorgos Zampetas made one last public appearance before he passed away. He died at the age of 67 in an Athens hospital on March 10, 1992.
Musical Legacy
Giorgos Zampetas is remembered as one of the most important composers and musicians in Greek Laïko music. His unique style and bouzouki playing left a lasting mark on Greek culture.
To honor him, the neighborhood of Egaleo in Athens, where he lived in his younger years, named a town square after him in September 1990.
Famous Songs by Giorgos Zampetas
Here are some of Giorgos Zampetas's most recognized songs. The year they were created and the name of the person who wrote the lyrics are in brackets:
- Το κουτούκι (1960, Eftihia Papagianopoulou)
- Δεν έχει δρόμο να διαβώ (1963, Dimitris Christodoulou)
- Κι αν θα διαβείς τον ουρανό (1964, Dimitris Christodoulou)
- Πόρτα κλειστή τα χείλη σου (1964, Dimitris Christodoulou)
- Τα δειλινά (1964, Charalampos Vasiliadis)
- Ξημερώματα (1965, Dimitris Christodoulou)
- Με το βοριά (1965, Dimitris Christodoulou)
- Μεσάνυχτα που θα σε βρω (1965, Dimitris Christodoulou)
- Σήκω χόρεψε συρτάκι (1965, Alekos Sakelarios)
- Χαμόγελο (1965, Alekos Sakelarios)
- Το Φανταράκι (1965, Γ. Φέρρης, στη ταινία "Μερικές το προτιμούν χακί")
- Η Κυριακή (1965, Alekos Sakelarios)
- Θεσσαλονίκη (1965, Elias Eliopoulos)
- Πάρε τον δρόμο τον παλιό (1966, Dimitris Christodoulou)
- Δημήτρη μου Δημήτρη μου (1966, Alekos Sakelarios)
- Σταλιά, σταλιά (1967, Dionisis Jeffronis)
- Ποιος είναι αυτός (1968, Pythagoras)
- Έρχομαι έρχομαι (1968, Pythagoras)
- Τι να φταίει (1969, Dimitris Christodoulou)
- Αγωνία (1970, Charalambos Vasiliadis)
