Nikos Xilouris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nikos Xylouris
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Psaronikos (Greek: Ψαρονίκος) |
| Born | 7 July 1936 Anogeia, Crete, Greece |
| Died | 8 February 1980 (aged 43) Piraeus, Attica, Greece |
| Genres | Cretan music, Éntekhno |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Musician, Composer |
| Instruments | Cretan Lyra |
| Years active | 1950-1980 |
Nikos Xylouris (Greek: Νίκος Ξυλούρης, born July 7, 1936 – died February 8, 1980) was a famous Greek singer and musician. People also called him Psaronikos (Ψαρονίκος). He played the Cretan Lyra, a special Greek instrument. Nikos Xylouris was known for his traditional Cretan music and modern Greek songs. Many people called him the Archangel of Crete because of his powerful voice and spirit.
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Nikos Xylouris' Early Life in Crete
Nikos Xylouris was born in Anogeia, a village high up on Mount Ida in Crete, Greece. His family were farmers and shepherds. Many people in his village loved traditional Greek music. They often played folk instruments. Anogeia has produced many famous musicians over the years. Nikos was the fourth child and first son of Giorgis and Eleftheria Xylouris. His younger brothers, Antonis Xylouris (Psarantonis) and Giannis Xylouris (Psarogiannis), also became well-known Cretan musicians.
The Meaning Behind His Nickname Psaronikos
Nikos Xylouris got his nickname "Psaronikos" from his grandfather, Antonis. The word "Psaro" means "fish-like." His grandfather was very brave during the fight for Crete's freedom from the Ottoman Empire. People said he was as quick and hard to catch as a fish. This nickname was passed down in the family. It helped people tell different families apart, even if they had the same last name.
How World War II Affected His Village
When Nikos was eight, during World War II, his village Anogeia was destroyed by the Nazis. This happened because the people of Anogeia helped Cretan Resistance fighters against the German army. Many villagers had to leave their homes and find safety in other towns. After the war, the people of Anogeia returned and rebuilt their village from scratch. This difficult time made them strong and proud. Nikos Xylouris' exact birth date was unclear for a while because village records were lost. But it was later confirmed to be July 7, which is a special day in the Greek Orthodox Church.
Nikos Xylouris' Musical Journey in Crete
Nikos loved music from a young age. He and his brothers learned to play instruments like the mandolin at village parties. When he was twelve, Nikos asked his father to buy him a Cretan Lyra. His father didn't want him to be a musician at first. He wanted Nikos to get a better education. But a local teacher saw Nikos' talent and convinced his father. So, Nikos got his first lyra.
Becoming a Professional Musician
Nikos learned from an experienced lyra player named Leonidas Klados. Soon, he started performing at events across Crete. People would pay musicians well for playing their favorite songs. Nikos quickly became known as a skilled musician. At seventeen, he moved to Heraklion, the biggest city in Crete. He wanted to become a full-time professional musician.
Life in the city was hard at first. City people were more interested in European music. They didn't care much for traditional Cretan music. Other musicians in the city were also not very welcoming to newcomers. Nikos struggled, but he didn't give up. He slowly gained fans who supported him.
In 1967, Nikos helped open the first music hall in Heraklion just for Cretan folk music. It was called Erotokritos. This place helped bring traditional Cretan music back to life in the city. Nikos not only found success in Heraklion, but he also helped city people rediscover and love Cretan music. His next goal was to share this music with all of Greece.
His First Recordings and Big Break
Nikos Xylouris made his first recordings in 1958. He released a single with two songs: "Mia mavrofora otan perna" and "Den klaine oi dynates kardies". The record company, Odeon, wasn't sure if Cretan music would sell. But a Greek politician from Crete, Pavlos Vardinogiannis, believed in Nikos. He promised to pay for any unsold records. So, the recording happened, and Nikos' wife, Ourania, even sang backup. The single was a huge hit!
Later, Nikos signed with Columbia Records. His popularity grew even more. Odeon realized their mistake and tried to get him back with a big offer. But Nikos was loyal and stayed with Columbia. Because of his loyalty, Columbia even improved his contract without him asking.
His career really took off in 1969 with the song "Anyfantou" (Weaver). This song was a massive success. It showed everyone that Cretan folk music could be very popular. Soon after, Nikos started performing in Athens, the capital of Greece.
Nikos Xylouris' Life and Career in Athens
Nikos Xylouris moved to Athens during a difficult time in Greece. The country was under a military government from 1967 to 1974. Music and entertainment that weren't controlled by the government offered a break from the strict rules. Young people, especially university students, loved to hear Nikos and other popular singers perform.
Singing for Freedom
Traditional Cretan songs, like the Rizitika, had always been about fighting for freedom. Now, these songs became symbols of protest against the military government. Nikos saw how much these songs meant to the students. He supported them during the Athens Polytechnic uprising in 1973. He even went into the university and sang banned songs with composer Stavros Xarchakos. Their photos appeared in newspapers, making Nikos a symbol of hope for democracy.
Because of this, his songs were banned from radio and TV. He was questioned by the military police. But he continued to inspire Greeks to fight for their freedom. His voice became linked with the movement to bring back democracy.
Collaborations and Famous Plays
During this time, composers tried new ways to make music. They mixed traditional sounds with orchestral music and new poems. This new music was uplifting for Greeks. In 1974, Nikos Xylouris starred in a famous play called "To Megalo Mas Tsirko" (Our Great Circus). It was about modern Greek history. Slogans from the play, like "Bread - Education - Freedom," became popular with protesting students. These words are still used in protests today.
After democracy returned in 1974, Nikos released more albums and continued to perform. He was part of a big concert called "Songs of Fire," celebrating the return of freedom. The rest of the 1970s brought him even more success and cemented his place as a legend.
Achievements and Recognition
Nikos Xylouris received many awards for his music.
- In 1966, he won First Prize in the Folk Music Section at the Sanremo Music Festival in Italy.
- In 1971, he won the Grand Prix du Disque in France for his album Rizitika, which he made with Yannis Markopoulos.
Nikos Xylouris' Family Life
Nikos Xylouris met his wife, Ourania Melampianakis, at a festival in her village. Ourania came from a wealthy family, while Nikos was a traveling musician. At first, Ourania's family didn't approve of their relationship because of the social differences. But Nikos would often sing love songs (called "Cantada") outside her home to show his feelings.
Eventually, Nikos and Ourania decided to get married without her family's full consent. They went to Anogeia for the wedding. Even though her father later agreed, Ourania felt sad about how her family reacted. But she was warmly welcomed in Anogeia. Over time, as Nikos became famous, Ourania and her family reconciled.
Nikos and Ourania had two children: a son named Giorgis and a daughter named Rinio. They were happily married until Nikos passed away. Ourania has remained in mourning ever since, following a traditional custom. Their love story is often told in Greece, reminding people of the famous Cretan poem Erotokritos, which Nikos also sang about in one of his albums.
Illness and Passing
Nikos Xylouris bravely fought lung cancer. He passed away on February 8, 1980, in Piraeus, Greece, at the age of 43. He was buried in the First Cemetery of Athens.
Discography
- Mia mavrofora otan perna — Μια μαυροφόρα όταν περνά (1958)
- Anyfantou — Ανυφαντού (1969)
- O Psaronikos — Ο Ψαρονίκος (1970)
- Mantinades kai Chorοi — Μαντινάδες και χοροί (1970)
- Chroniko — Χρονικό (1970)
- Rizitika — Ριζίτικα (1971)
- Dialeimma — Διάλειμμα (1972)
- Ithageneia — Ιθαγένεια (1972)
- Dionyse kalokairi mas — Διόνυσε καλοκαίρι μας (1972)
- O Tropikos tis Parthenou — Ο Τροπικός της Παρθένου (1973)
- O Xylouris tragouda yia tin Kriti — Ο Ξυλούρης τραγουδά για την Κρήτη (1973)
- O Stratis Thalassinos anamesa stous Agapanthous — Ο Στρατής Θαλασσινός ανάmesa stous Agapanthous (1973)
- Perifani ratsa — Περήφανη ράτσα (1973)
- Akolouthia — Ακολουθία (1974)
- To megalo mas tsirko — Το μεγάλο μας τσίρκο (1974)
- Parastaseis — Παραστάσεις (1975)
- Anexartita — Ανεξάρτητα (1975)
- Komentia, i pali chorikon kai vasiliadon — Κομέντια, η πάλη χωρικών και βασιλιάδων (1975)
- Kapnismeno tsoukali — Καπνισμένο τσουκάλι (1975)
- Ta pou thymoumai tragoudo — Τα που θυμούμαι τραγουδώ (1975)
- Kyklos Seferi — Κύκλος Σεφέρη (1976)
- Erotokritos — Ερωτόκριτος (1976)
- I symfonia tis Gialtas kai tis pikris agapis — Η συμφωνία της Γιάλτας και της πικρής αγάπης (1976)
- I eleftheri poliorkimeni — Οι ελεύθεροι πολιορκημένοι (1977)
- Ta erotika — Τα ερωτικά (1977)
- Ta Xyloureika — Τα Ξυλουρέικα (1978)
- Ta antipolemika — Τα αντιπολεμικά (1978)
- Salpisma — Σάλπισμα (1978)
- 14 Chryses Epitichies – 14 Χρυσές Επιτυχίες (1978)
Posthumously Released Music
- Teleftaia ora Kriti — Τελευταία ώρα Κρήτη (1981)
- Nikos Xylouris — Νίκος Ξυλούρης (1982)
- Pantermi Kriti — Πάντερμη Κρήτη (1983)
- O Deipnos o Mystikos — Ο Δείπνος ο Μυστικός (1984)
- Stavros Xarchakos: Theatrika — Σταύρος Ξαρχάκος: Θεατρικά (1985)
- O Yiannis Markopoulos ston Elliniko Kinematografo — Ο Γιάννης Μαρκόπουλος στον Ελληνικό Κινηματογράφο (1988)
- I synavlia sto Irodio 1976 (1990) — Η συναυλία στο Ηρώδειο 1976 (1990)
- To chroniko tou Nikou Xylouri — Το χρονικό του Νίκου Ξυλούρη (1996)
- Nikos Xylouris — Νίκος Ξυλούρης (2000)
- I psychi tis Kritis — Η ψυχή της Κρήτης (2002)
- Itane mia fora... — Ήτανε μια φορά... (2005)
- Tou Chronou Ta Girismata — Του Χρόνου Τα Γυρίσματα (2005)
- Itane Mia Fora... Kai Emeine Gia Panta! — Ήτανε Μια Φορά... Και Έμεινε Για Πάντα! (2017)
See also
- Music of Crete
