Grigoris Bithikotsis

Personal Info

Birthday

December 11, 1922

Day of Death

2005-04-07

(82 years old)

Place of Birth

Peristeri, Athens Prefecture, Greece

Also Known As

Γρηγόρης Μπιθικώτσης

Γρηγορης Μπιθικωτσης

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.