Giannis Poulopoulos was a Greek singer-songwriter, who had several hits in Greece during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. In terms of total album sales, he is the fourth biggest-selling Greek singer of all time.
We take a look back at his life and musical career.
Early Life:
Poulopoulos was born on June 29, 1941, in the village of Kardamili, in the Peloponnese’s Messinia region.
His parents lived in Athens, in the area of Metaxourgeio and then moved to Peristeri, specifically in the area of Agia Triada. At the age of five, Poulopoulos was orphaned by his mother and grew up with his father Giorgos and his little brother Vassilis.
From a young age, Poulopoulos was inclined to sing.
Music Career:
Poulopoulos became a household name with a series of hits in the 1960s. He collaborated with the country’s most eminent composers including Mikis Theodorakis, Giannis Spanos and Mimis Plessas.
In 1965, he was the first performer of four songs written by Manos Loizos. It was also about the same time he had a successful hit with ‘Mi mou thymonis matia mou’ (Don’t be angry with me, my love) composed by Stavros Kouyioumtzis.
By 1966, his records gained considerable popularity and his songs were featured in popular Greek films.
The year that sent Poulopoulos to the top was 1969, when the album “O Dromos” (The Street) by Mimis Plessas and the lyrics of Lefteris Papadopoulos was released. Yiannis Poulopoulos sang 10 of the 12 songs, making the album the first gold record in Greek recording history.
Later life and Death:
Poulopoulos decided to retire from singing in 1999. Despite generous proposals to sing in clubs and record again, the singer declined to accept.
Poulopoulos died on August 23, 2020, at the age of 79. The singer had been in the intensive care unit of the capital’s Attikon Hospital for treatment for serious health problems.
READ MORE: The Australian Hellenic Choir amaze with songs from the immigration era and Poulopoulos tribute.
Source: Sansimera.gr.
