Giannis Ploutarhos
Encyclopedia
Giannis Ploutarhos is a popular Greek singer and songwriter. He is considered one of the most popular laïko
Laïko
Laïkó ), is a Greek music genre. Also called folk song or urban folk music , in its plural form is a Greek music genre which has taken many forms over the years...

 singers of his time, and has been characterized with having a genuine laïko voice. To date, he has released eleven studio albums along with one greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...

 album.

Early life

Giannis Ploutarhos was born as Giannis Kakossaios on 18 December 1970 in the small village of Mavrogia, outside Orchomenos. Ploutarhos comes from a poor rural family, which long struggled to make ends meet. He first started singing at age six, while his whole family would sing while working to get through the day. His first musical influences came from Dimotiká and traditional Byzantine
Byzantine music
Byzantine music is the music of the Byzantine Empire composed to Greek texts as ceremonial, festival, or church music. Greek and foreign historians agree that the ecclesiastical tones and in general the whole system of Byzantine music is closely related to the ancient Greek system...

 music. Ploutarhos lived there until the age of sixteen, at which point he decided to move to Athens to pursue his dream of becoming a singer. He had told his family he wanted to move the Athens to study Hairdressing
Barber
A barber is someone whose occupation is to cut any type of hair, and to shave or trim the beards of men. The place of work of a barber is generally called a barbershop....

.

Once in Athens, Ploutarhos began working during the day at a hair salon
Beauty salon
A beauty salon or beauty parlor is an establishment dealing with cosmetic treatments for men and women...

 while singing at clubs at night. His first gig
Gig (musical performance)
Gig is slang for a musical engagement in which musicians are hired. Originally coined in the 1920s by jazz musicians, the term, short for the word "engagement", now refers to any aspect of performing such as assisting with performance and attending musical performance...

 was at a small club in Korydallos
Korydallos
Korydallos is a municipality in the Piraeus regional unit, Greece. It is a western suburb of Piraeus. It is the home of the Korydallos prisons. It sits on a mountain in the west named Aegaleo. It is located W of Athens, N of Piraeus and S of GR-8/E55 and Athinon Avenue.Farming used to dominate...

. Disappointed by the prevailing conditions in the music business, he abandoned singing twice and pursued other occupations to support himself. Despite previous disappointments, Ploutarhos' love of music pushed him back into the business and just two years after his first performance, he started appearing at club Rodolfo, which was followed by appearances at bigger clubs such as Neraida, Fantasia, and Tonel where he collaborated with well known laïka names such as Giannis Poulopoulos
Giannis Poulopoulos
Giannis Poulopoulos is a Greek singer-songwriter who had many prominent hits in the Greek music world during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s...

, Rita Sakellariou
Rita Sakellariou
Rita Sakellariou was a famous Greek singer. Amongst her fans were Andreas Papandreou, Melina Mercouris, Aristotle Onasis, Anthony Quinn and others. She worked with some of the greater Greek musicians like Vassilis Tsitsanis and Giannis Papaioannou...

, Themis Adamantidis, as well as Contemporary aïka artists such as Stelios Rokkos and Giorgos Mazonakis
Giorgos Mazonakis
Giorgos Mazonakis is a Modern Laika and pop Greek singer.-Biography:Giorgos Mazonakis born and raised in the neighbourhood of Nikaia, Athens. He grew up listening to traditional folk songs of Stratos Dionysiou, Yiannis Parios, Marinella and Haris Alexiou. Very quickly, at the age of 15, he...

. Around that time, Ploutarhos came into contact with Dimitris Kardatzis and Ilias Filippou who believed in his talent, and got him in touch with his first producer Girgos Makrakis, who is credited with inspiring his stage last name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...

 "Ploutarhos".

1998–2004: Debut and early success

In late 1998, Ploutarhos signed with Minos EMI
Minos EMI
Minos EMI is the domestic trade name of EMI Music Greece, a record company in Greece. It is the Greek record label division of the British-based, multinational EMI Group....

 and shortly after released his debut album titled Mono Esi (Only you), which received moderate success. From the album, "Enas Theos" (One god) became a hit, which is still considered one of his most popular songs to date. After his first album, he was featured in a duet titled "I Kardia Mou Einai Zalismeni" (My heart is dazed) with Konstantina on her album Simeio Epafis, while he was also featured in a duet with Stratos Dionysiou
Stratos Dionysiou
Stratos Dionysiou , was a Greek laika and elafro-laika singer who featured predominantly in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.-Early life:...

 on the song "Orestiada" from his album Epivalletai. In 2000, he released his second album titled Ipirhan Orki
Ipirhan Orki
-Singles:"Ipirhan Orki""Fysai Poli""Paramilao""Se Xeperasa""Se Hano""To Kalitero Paidi""Siga Siga"-Chart performance:-External links:*...

(There were promises), which featured a number of hits. The album was certified gold, making him widely known and catapulting his career to new heights, and eventually leading sales to platinum status. A year later in 2001 he released his third album titled Mikres Fotografies
Mikres Fotografies
Mikres Fotografies is an album by Greek singer Giannis Ploutarhos, released in 2001.- Track listing :...

(Small pictures), which sold over 150,000 units, and included a number of songs written by himself. At the 2002 Arion Music Awards, Ploutarhos received five awards, including "Singer of the year", "Best laiko singer", as well as "Album of the year", "Best laiko album", and "Best video-clip" for his album Mikres Fotografies and songs off of it.

In 2002 he released his fourth studio album titled Den Einai O Erotas...Paidi Tis Logikis
Den Einai O Erotas...Paidi Tis Logikis
Editing Den Einai O Erotas...Paidi Tis Logikis is an album by Greek singer Giannis Ploutarhos, released in 2002.- Track listing :...

(Love is not....a child of logic) which was later re-released in 2003 with the inclusion of bonus tracks and a DVD. The album was eventually certified 3x platinum. That same year in 2003, Ploutarhos released his fifth studio album Pai Ligos Kairos
Pai Ligos Kairos
- Track listing :...

(Some time has passed by...), which was also certified 3x platinum. The album was re-released in 2004 with the inclusion of a bonus song, a cover of the popular song "An Thimitheis T' Oneiro Mou" by Mikis Theodorakis
Mikis Theodorakis
Mikis Theodorakis is one of the most renowned Greek songwriters and composers. Internationally, he is probably best known for his songs and for his scores for the films Zorba the Greek , Z , and Serpico .Politically, he identified with the left until the late 1980s; in 1989, he ran as an...

. At the same time, Ploutarhos broke records for continuous appearances at a venue, appearing at club Poseidonio as part of a concert series for one whole calendar year without interruption.

2005–2010: Further success

In 2005 Ploutarhos embarked on his first world tour, with shows in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...

, Atlantic City, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...

, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...

, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...

, Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...

, Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...

, and Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...

. Upon return to Greece, he released his sixth studio album titled Ola Se Sena Ta Vrika
Ola Se Sena Ta Vrika
Ola Se Sena Ta Vrika is an album by Greek singer Giannis Ploutarhos, released in 2005.- Track listing :...

(I've found it all in you), which was a commercial success. The album was eventually certified 2x platinum.

On 18 September 2006, he released his seventh studio album titled Krimmena Mistika (Hidden secrets), which sold more than 40,000 units and was certified Platinum in its first week. The album was also released in a special edition form with the inclusion of a bonus DVD, while few days later on 20 September, Ploutarhos began appearances at club Kentro Athinon. The album, which also featured a duet with Kostantina titled "Ti Bike Anamesa Mas;" (What came between us?), was eventually certified 2x platinum.

A greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...

 album titled Stigmes (Moments) followed in 2007, which included six new songs and a bonus DVD. The album was eventually certified Platinum, exceeding sales of 40,000 units. In October 2007, Ploutarhos embarked on a mini US tour, performing in Toronto, New York, Montreal, and Foxwoods. Upon his return to Greece, Ploutarhos started appearing in a concert series at club Kentro Athinon alongside Apostolia Zoi
Apostolia Zoi
Apostolia Zoi is a popular Greek singer who was born in Volos, Greece. She has released four studio albums.-Early life:At the age of 14, Apostolia moved to Thessaloniki to pursue her interest in diving and swimming where she graduating from the Gymnastics Academy. One night while out on the town...

, Tamta and Giannis Vardis on 25 October.

In June 2008, Ploutarhos released his eight studio album titled O,ti Gennietai Stin Psihi (Whatever is born in the soul), which was also certified 2x platinum. On 17 July, he started appearances at club Politeia in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...

. In December 2008, he started appearances at club REX. A few days later on 22 December 2008, Plourahos performed a charity concert for children with disabilities at club REX. In May 2009, Ploutarhos traveled to Australia to perform two charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...

 concerts in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...

 and Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...

. That summer, Ploutarhos partnered with MAD Greekz
MAD Greekz
MAD Greekz is a 24hr greek, cable music channel that launched on September 12, 2008, it is a spin-off channel of MAD. MAD Greekz features non-stop Greek hits from all the top artists in Greece and also includes various interactive features for viewers including contests.It is available exclusively...

 and embarked on his first major tour around Greece. In October of the same year, Ploutarhos held concerts in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

 and Cyprus. He continued touring, and in January 2010, toured North American performing in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...

, Foxwoods, Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...

, Atlantic City, Chicago, Toronto, and Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...

.

On 22 March 2010, Ploutarhos released his ninth studio album titled Prosopika Dedomena. The album was released in record stores and at Newsstands, and quickly sold out forcing his label to reissue
Reissue
A reissue is the repeated issue of a published work. In common usage, it refers to an album which has been released at least once before and is released again, sometimes with alterations or additions....

d the album. It was eventually certified 6x platinum. In April of the same year, he started appearing at club ACRO, while for the winter season 2010-2011 he started performing at club CosmoStage.

2011-present: New label & projects

In December 2010, Ploutarhos left his long time label Minos EMI
Minos EMI
Minos EMI is the domestic trade name of EMI Music Greece, a record company in Greece. It is the Greek record label division of the British-based, multinational EMI Group....

, and signed with Heaven Music
Heaven Music
Heaven Music is an independent record label in Athens, Greece, founded in 2001 by ANT1 Group. It is known for signing new and young artists.-Overview:...

. Shortly after, he announced a joint project with Italian singer Albano Carrisi
Albano Carrisi
Albano Carrisi , better known as Al Bano, is an Italian singer, actor and winemaker.-Biography:He was born in the town of Cellino San Marco , where he still lives....

. On 24 January 2011, their first single titled "Me Mia Matia/Felicita" (With one look/Happiness) was released to radio stations, featuring verses in both Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...

 and Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...

. On 6 February 2011, Ploutarhos released a joint album with Carrisi titled Dio Fones-Mia Psihi (Two Voices-One Soul) in Greece as a covermount
Covermount
Covermount is the name given to storage media or other products packaged as part of a magazine or newspaper...

 with Proto Thema
Proto Thema
To Proto Thema is a Greek newspaper, published every Sunday. It was launched in 2005 by Makis Triantafyllopoulos, Themos Anastasiadis, and Tassos Karamitsos...

. Proto Thema sold over 160,000 copies, selling out completely in just a few hours. A standard retail released followed on 7 February 2011, with two bonus songs included. On 17 February 2011, Ploutarhos will be taking part in the Sanremo Music Festival
Festival della canzone italiana
The Festival della canzone italiana di Sanremo is a popular Italian song contest, held annually in the city of Sanremo, in Italy, and consisting of a competition amongst previously unreleased songs...

 along side Albano Carrisi and Spanish
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....

 opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...

tic soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...

 Montserrat Caballé
Montserrat Caballé
Montserrat Caballé is a Spanish operatic soprano. Although she sang a wide variety of roles, she is best known as an exponent of the bel canto repertoire, notably the works of Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi....

. The trio will perform a famous chorus piece titled "Va, pensiero
Va, pensiero
Va, pensiero is a chorus from the third act of Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi, with words by Temistocle Solera, inspired by Psalm 137...

" from the opera Nabucco
Nabucco
Nabucco is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera, based on the Biblical story and the 1836 play by Auguste Anicet-Bourgeois and Francis Cornue...

written by Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. He was one of the most influential composers of the 19th century...

. Ploutarhos' appearance will mark the first time a Greek singer has ever performed at Sanremo Music Festival.

On November 22, 2011, Ploutarhos will release his eleventh studio album titled I Dinami Tou Erota (The Strength of Love).

Personal life

As of 2011, Ploutarhos and his wife have been together for 23 years, and have five children together. He is distinguished by his low profile and modesty despite the success he has received. Plouarhos has stated that he respects and appreciates his fans, and tries to watch his behavior as he believes every artist should be a role model
Role model
The term role model generally means any "person who serves as an example, whose behaviour is emulated by others".The term first appeared in Robert K. Merton's socialization research of medical students...

 for their fans, especially young fans.

Studio albums

Year Title Certification
1998 Mono Esi -
2000 Ipirhan Orki
Ipirhan Orki
-Singles:"Ipirhan Orki""Fysai Poli""Paramilao""Se Xeperasa""Se Hano""To Kalitero Paidi""Siga Siga"-Chart performance:-External links:*...

Platinum
2001 Mikres Fotografies
Mikres Fotografies
Mikres Fotografies is an album by Greek singer Giannis Ploutarhos, released in 2001.- Track listing :...

3x Platinum
2002 Den Einai O Erotas...Paidi Tis Logikis
Den Einai O Erotas...Paidi Tis Logikis
Editing Den Einai O Erotas...Paidi Tis Logikis is an album by Greek singer Giannis Ploutarhos, released in 2002.- Track listing :...

3x Platinum
2003 Pai Ligos Kairos
Pai Ligos Kairos
- Track listing :...

3x Platinum
2005 Ola Se Sena Ta Vrika
Ola Se Sena Ta Vrika
Ola Se Sena Ta Vrika is an album by Greek singer Giannis Ploutarhos, released in 2005.- Track listing :...

2x Platinum
2006 Krimmena Mistika 2x Platinum
2008 O,ti Genniete Stin Psihi 2x Platinum
2010 Prosopika Dedomena 6x Platinum
2011 Dio Fones - Mia Psihi 15x Platinum
2011 I Dinami Tou Erota -

Compilations

Year Title Certification
2007 Stigmes Platinum

External links

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