
Grigoris Bithikotsis
Personal Info
Known for
Acting
Gender
Male
Birthday
1922-12-11
Day of Death
2005-04-07 (82 years old)
Place of Birth
Peristeri, Athens Prefecture, Greece
Grigoris Bithikotsis
Biography
Grigoris Bithikotsis (Greek Γρηγόρης Μπιθικώτσης, December 11, 1922 – April 7, 2005) was a Greek folk singer/songwriter with a career spanning five decades. He is considered one of the most important figures in Greek popular music.
Bithikotsis was born in Peristeri, Athens, in 1922 to a poor family. He became interested in music at an early age, and acquired a bouzouki as soon as he was able. At first, he had to hide the instrument at a friend's house and practice in secret, as his father disapproved of the new rembetiko style that had captured his son's interest.
He met composer Mikis Theodorakis in 1959 and the two collaborated producing folk songs. Bithikotsis composed over 80 songs, including: Stu Belami to ouzeri and Tou Votanikou o magas. He possessed a rich singing voice with which he performed his own compositions and those of Theodorakis, who frequently chose his friend Grigoris to perform his masterpieces. The two contributed greatly to the then-emerging laika style of Greek music. A leftist, he was exiled to the island of Makronisos in the 1950s during the reign of King Paul.
Throughout his life, Bithikotsis performed frequent concerts at numerous venues, including one in Athens upon the occasion of his eightieth birthday. He died in Athens, in 2005, following three months of hospitalization. His funeral was attended by thousands, including representatives of all the Greek political parties.
Known For
Acting
(2023)
Folk Bards - Moments of their lives and ours
as Grigoris Bithikotsis
(1974)
The False
as Singer
(1970)
Grooms Wanted with Dowry
as singer
(1969)
Official sweetheart
as singer
(1967)
Sometimes even the strong cry
as Singer
(1966)
The Devastated
as singer
(1966)
The man who returned from pain
as singer
(1965)
Modern Cinderella
as singer
(1965)
The Stupid Face
as Singer
(1965)
Atonement
as singer
(1965)
Angels Without Wings
as Singer
(1965)
Play my sweety bouzouki
as singer
(1964)
I stole my wife
as singer
(1964)
It is a great pity
as singer
(1964)
(1964)
Those who forgot God
as Singer
(1964)
Tired life
as Singer
(1964)
(1963)
The Red Lanterns
as singer
(1963)
We without money
as singer
(1962)
(1962)
The steps of life
as Singer
(1961)
Οι χαραμοφάηδες
as singer
(1961)
Liar Wanted
as singer
(1961)
Synoikia to Oneiro
as singer
(1961)
The Harbor Bum
as singer
(1960)
Το Κλωτσοσκούφι
as singer
(1955)
Rolled in the mud
as singer
Crew
(1962)
Hands Up, Hitler
Songs
(1961)
Synoikia to Oneiro
Songs