Giorgos Alkaios
Encyclopedia
Giorgos Alkaios is a Greek
recording artist. His career began in 1989 after appearing on a Greek reality show. Following a brief period of stage acting, Alkaios dedicated himself to music. His first single, "Ti Ti", made him popular in Greece. His distinctive musical style fuses Greek and Oriental elements with modern pop music. To date he has been certified with 5 platinum and 9 gold albums. Alkaios represented Greece
in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
with the song "OPA".
, Massachusetts
, United States
where he lived for three years. Shortly after his parents divorced, he moved back to Greece with his father at age three. Raised primarily by his grandmother Anna, he lived in Halandri and spent his summers in Salamina
with friends and relatives during his childhood. He got his first job at the age of twelve.
From a young age Alkaios showed his love for music and sports. His first experience with music and theatre came at a summer camp in Varimpompi, where he was also a camp counsellor for four years. At the age of sixteen Alkaios dropped out of high school to become an electrician by attending Delta school where he obtained a degree.
During the summer of that same year, he auditioned for and won a part in Minoa Vouonaki's play "Sofoklis 'Antigone'", which starred legendary Aliki Vougiouklaki
and with music by Mikis Theodorakis
. Rehearsals lasted over two months and the show premiered at the ancient theater Epidavros. At the time, Alkaios became the youngest actor to be cast in a historic play and also perform in a historical theater.
During the same summer, Alkaios decided to change his focus from theatre to music. He auditioned and got a spot in a concert series at club "Tunnel". In the summer of 1991 Alkaios went on tour all over Greece along with fellow up and coming singer Christos Dantis
. In September of that same year, Alkaios participated in the Thessaloniki Song Contest with the song "Den Me Theleis Tolmiro", where he officially started to go by the name "Giorgos Alkaios" as opposed to his birth name which he had used up until that point. Alkaios beat out then newcomer Sakis Rouvas
, and won the award for "Best Vocals" by one point. Following the win, Alkaios signed with BMG Greece.
Before the release of his debut album, Alkaios also began writing music for other singers including Alexia and Notis Sfakianakis
. One of the most notable songs he wrote during that time was “Opa Opa
” for Sfakianakis, which became a hit and has been covered many times over the years.
During the next nine years, Alkaios collaborated with Gavrilis Panztis, leading to many gold and platinum albums. For the next five years he wore a black scarf on his right hand that became his trademark, while he also became one of the first few Greek male artist that openly embraced fashion.
In 1993, he released his second album titled Ax! Koita Me (Oh! Look at me), followed by Den Peirazei (It doesn't matter). In 1995 he released "Anei Logou" which went Gold. This was followed by Entos Eaftou and later En Psihro which both went platinum.
football team Galatasaray
selected the single "Sirmatoplegma" as an anthem.
In 2000, he released Pro Ton Pilon followed by Oxigono on 2001 which both went gold. A CD Single titled “Karma” was released in 2002.
In 2003 Alkaios signed with Alpha Records, and shortly after released the album Kommatia Psihis. For the winter season of 2003-2004 Alkaios performed with Antzi Samiou at club Gefira.
In 2005, Alkaios released the live album titled "Live Tour". The album, which featured three CDs, featured songs recorded throughout the previous twelve years at various concerts in Greece, the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Albania,and Cyprus.
In 2006, Alkaios signed with Virus Music
, collaborating once again with Miltos Karatzas. Shortly after in November 2008, Alkaios founded his own record label Friends Music Factory.
In 2010, Giorgos Alkaios and Friends were announced amongst nine other entries to take part in a Greek National Final
organized by national broadcaster ERT to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
. On 12 March 2010 Alkaios and Friends were selected by the Greek public along with a jury, to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with the song "OPA". On 25 May 2010, Alkaios performed 13th in the first semi-final finishing 2nd with 133 points, thus granting him a spot in the Final. On 29 May 2010, Alkaios performed 11th in the final, and finished in 8th place with 140 points.
", which has been covered by many singers, has been released as a single by Notis Sfakianakis
, Antique, and Despina Vandi
. The Antique version charted in the top 10 of some European charts. Despina Vandi's version reached No 3 in the US Billboard Hot Dance Radio Airplay!
established by Giorgos Alkaios and fellow musician and friend Dionysis Schinas in November 2008. Apart from traditional points of sale, releases by the label are also distributed to news kiosks around Greece and Cyprus, often bundled with special edition publications at a discounted fixed price.
Other artists and employees from the label helped pen the lyrics to Alkaios' Eurovision song "OPA", some of whom performed with him on stage at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
recording artist. His career began in 1989 after appearing on a Greek reality show. Following a brief period of stage acting, Alkaios dedicated himself to music. His first single, "Ti Ti", made him popular in Greece. His distinctive musical style fuses Greek and Oriental elements with modern pop music. To date he has been certified with 5 platinum and 9 gold albums. Alkaios represented Greece
Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest
Greece has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 32 times since 1974, with the exception of 1975, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1999 and 2000. Greece won for the first time in 2005 with "My Number One" song by Elena Paparizou. Following the introduction of a semi-final round for the 2004 contest, Greece...
in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
Eurovision Song Contest 2010
The Eurovision Song Contest 2010 was the 55th annual Eurovision Song Contest, broadcast from the Telenor Arena in Bærum, Greater Oslo, Norway. It was the third time Norway had hosted the contest, having previously done so in 1986 and 1996. The 2010 winner was Germany with Lena singing "Satellite",...
with the song "OPA".
Early life
Giorgos Alkaios was born in Athens, Greece to Greek and Portuguese parents. Immediately after his birth, Alkaios moved to BostonBoston
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...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where he lived for three years. Shortly after his parents divorced, he moved back to Greece with his father at age three. Raised primarily by his grandmother Anna, he lived in Halandri and spent his summers in Salamina
Salamina
The word Salamina may refer to* Salamis Island an Island in Greece* Salamina a town and municipality in Piraeus Prefecture in Greece* Salamina a town and municipality in the Caldas Department in Colombia...
with friends and relatives during his childhood. He got his first job at the age of twelve.
From a young age Alkaios showed his love for music and sports. His first experience with music and theatre came at a summer camp in Varimpompi, where he was also a camp counsellor for four years. At the age of sixteen Alkaios dropped out of high school to become an electrician by attending Delta school where he obtained a degree.
1989-1991: Beginnings
Alkaios first television appearance came in September 1989 at the age of seventeen on one of the first reality shows in Greece, "Ela Sto Fos" (Come to the light), on ET 2. The show featured 1,500 new actors, singers, and dancers, which were later narrowed down to twenty, with Alkaios being one of them. While on the show, he studied dance with Daniel Lomel, acting with Niki Triantafilidou, and music with Giorgos Hatzinasios, among others.During the summer of that same year, he auditioned for and won a part in Minoa Vouonaki's play "Sofoklis 'Antigone'", which starred legendary Aliki Vougiouklaki
Aliki Vougiouklaki
Aliki Vougiouklaki was a Greek actress. She is considered as one of the most popular and successful actresses of Greek cinema.-Biography:...
and with music 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...
. Rehearsals lasted over two months and the show premiered at the ancient theater Epidavros. At the time, Alkaios became the youngest actor to be cast in a historic play and also perform in a historical theater.
During the same summer, Alkaios decided to change his focus from theatre to music. He auditioned and got a spot in a concert series at club "Tunnel". In the summer of 1991 Alkaios went on tour all over Greece along with fellow up and coming singer Christos Dantis
Christos Dantis
Christos Dantis , is a Greek singer, songwriter, and musician best known for his hits such as "To Palio Mou Palto" and "Ena Tragoudi Akoma" and later for composing and co-writing the song "My Number One" for Elena Paparizou, winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 for Greece.- Early music career...
. In September of that same year, Alkaios participated in the Thessaloniki Song Contest with the song "Den Me Theleis Tolmiro", where he officially started to go by the name "Giorgos Alkaios" as opposed to his birth name which he had used up until that point. Alkaios beat out then newcomer Sakis Rouvas
Sakis Rouvas
Anastasios "Sakis" Rouvas II , often referred to mononymously as Sakis, is a Greek musician, television and film artist, businessman, and former pole vaulter who is one of the most successful and influential entertainers of all time in Greece and Cyprus...
, and won the award for "Best Vocals" by one point. Following the win, Alkaios signed with BMG Greece.
Before the release of his debut album, Alkaios also began writing music for other singers including Alexia and Notis Sfakianakis
Notis Sfakianakis
Panagiotis Sfakianakis is a Greek singer of laika music, who is one of the most commercially successful artists of all time in Greece and Cyprus. Sfakianakis began his career in 1985, opening at nightclubs for other artists. He was discovered by Sony Greece and released his debut album Proti Fora...
. One of the most notable songs he wrote during that time was “Opa Opa
Opa Opa
"Opa Opa" is a song originally performed by Notis Sfakianakis from his second album Ise Ena Pistoli in 1992. It was written and produced by singer Giorgos Alkaios years earlier, and is one of Sfakianakis' most notable of his early works...
” for Sfakianakis, which became a hit and has been covered many times over the years.
1992-1998:Debut and success
In 1992 Alkaios released his debut album titled Me Ligo...Trak. Music on the album was written by Alkaios, while lyrics were exclusively written by Evi Droutsa. The single "Ti Ti" (a cover of Khaled's Arabic smash hit "Didi") became a massive hit in Greece, and was one of the first Greek songs to mix oriental sounds with Western pop, thus revolutionizing Greek music standards at the time.During the next nine years, Alkaios collaborated with Gavrilis Panztis, leading to many gold and platinum albums. For the next five years he wore a black scarf on his right hand that became his trademark, while he also became one of the first few Greek male artist that openly embraced fashion.
In 1993, he released his second album titled Ax! Koita Me (Oh! Look at me), followed by Den Peirazei (It doesn't matter). In 1995 he released "Anei Logou" which went Gold. This was followed by Entos Eaftou and later En Psihro which both went platinum.
1998-present: Further success
In 1998 Alkaios signed with Sony Music Greece. Shortly after he released the album Ixoi Siopis which featured a completely new look for Alkaios, while the album art work shocked many. The album went gold in less than 24 hours and later Platinum. Sirmatoplegma followed in 1999, which also went gold in less than 24 hours and later platinum. TurkishTurkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
football team Galatasaray
Galatasaray S.K. (football team)
Galatasaray Anonim Şirketi is a Turkish football club, part of the Galatasaray S.K. multi-sport club of Istanbul. Galatasaray is a major sports club in Turkey, holding 17 Turkish Super League titles and the highest number of Turkish Cups....
selected the single "Sirmatoplegma" as an anthem.
In 2000, he released Pro Ton Pilon followed by Oxigono on 2001 which both went gold. A CD Single titled “Karma” was released in 2002.
In 2003 Alkaios signed with Alpha Records, and shortly after released the album Kommatia Psihis. For the winter season of 2003-2004 Alkaios performed with Antzi Samiou at club Gefira.
In 2005, Alkaios released the live album titled "Live Tour". The album, which featured three CDs, featured songs recorded throughout the previous twelve years at various concerts in Greece, the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Albania,and Cyprus.
In 2006, Alkaios signed with Virus Music
Virus Music
Virus Music, founded in 2004, is a record label imprint of the independent Greek record company Legend Recordings S.A.The label was headed by industry veteran Miltos Karadsas who at the time left from Minos EMI...
, collaborating once again with Miltos Karatzas. Shortly after in November 2008, Alkaios founded his own record label Friends Music Factory.
In 2010, Giorgos Alkaios and Friends were announced amongst nine other entries to take part in a Greek National Final
Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
Greece, in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, selected the song "Opa" sung by Giorgos Alkaios & Friends as their entry, by a national selection on 12 March 2010....
organized by national broadcaster ERT to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
Greece, in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, selected the song "Opa" sung by Giorgos Alkaios & Friends as their entry, by a national selection on 12 March 2010....
. On 12 March 2010 Alkaios and Friends were selected by the Greek public along with a jury, to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with the song "OPA". On 25 May 2010, Alkaios performed 13th in the first semi-final finishing 2nd with 133 points, thus granting him a spot in the Final. On 29 May 2010, Alkaios performed 11th in the final, and finished in 8th place with 140 points.
Studio albums
- 1992: Me Ligo Trak
- 1993: Ah! Kita Me
- 1994: Den Pirazi
- 1995: Anef Logou (Gold)
- 1996: Entos Eaftou (Platinum)
- 1997: En Psichro (Platinum)
- 1998: Ichi Siopis (Platinum)
- 1999: Sirmatoplegma (Gold)
- 2000: Pro Ton Pilon
- 2001: Oxygono
- 2003: Kommatia Psichis
- 2004: Ethousa Anamonis: Special Edition
- 2006: Nichtes Apo Fos
- 2007: Eleftheros
- 2008: To Diko Mas Paramithi
EPs & CD Singles
- 1999: The Remix - EP
- 2002: Karma - CD Single
- 2010: Dos Moy Ligo Fos
Production discography
Giorgos Alkaios has also penned for several other artists. The internationally charted song "Opa OpaOpa Opa
"Opa Opa" is a song originally performed by Notis Sfakianakis from his second album Ise Ena Pistoli in 1992. It was written and produced by singer Giorgos Alkaios years earlier, and is one of Sfakianakis' most notable of his early works...
", which has been covered by many singers, has been released as a single by Notis Sfakianakis
Notis Sfakianakis
Panagiotis Sfakianakis is a Greek singer of laika music, who is one of the most commercially successful artists of all time in Greece and Cyprus. Sfakianakis began his career in 1985, opening at nightclubs for other artists. He was discovered by Sony Greece and released his debut album Proti Fora...
, Antique, and Despina Vandi
Despina Vandi
Despina Malea , known by her stage name Despina Vandi , is a Greek singer. Born in Tübingen near Stuttgart, West Germany, Vandi's family returned to Kavala, Greece when she was six years old and she later enrolled at the University of Thessaloniki, but eventually dropped out to begin a career in...
. The Antique version charted in the top 10 of some European charts. Despina Vandi's version reached No 3 in the US Billboard Hot Dance Radio Airplay!
Friends Music Factory
Friends Music Factory is an independent record labelIndependent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
established by Giorgos Alkaios and fellow musician and friend Dionysis Schinas in November 2008. Apart from traditional points of sale, releases by the label are also distributed to news kiosks around Greece and Cyprus, often bundled with special edition publications at a discounted fixed price.
Other artists and employees from the label helped pen the lyrics to Alkaios' Eurovision song "OPA", some of whom performed with him on stage at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
Eurovision Song Contest 2010
The Eurovision Song Contest 2010 was the 55th annual Eurovision Song Contest, broadcast from the Telenor Arena in Bærum, Greater Oslo, Norway. It was the third time Norway had hosted the contest, having previously done so in 1986 and 1996. The 2010 winner was Germany with Lena singing "Satellite",...
.