Legendary singer Tolis Voskopoulos dies at 80

By 3 years ago

Apostolos Voskopoulos, or better known as Tolis Voskopoulos (Greek: Τόλης Βοσκόπουλος) (born 26 July 1940, in Kokkinia, Piraeus - 19 July 2021) was one of the legends of modern Greek music has died in Hospital from a heart attack only a few days before his birthday.

Considered one of the most important singers in the history of Greek folk music, Voskopoulos recorded countless albums.

The great Greek singer had a heart attack a few days before his birthday.

He was hospitalised at the 251 General Aviation Hospital a few weeks ago with respiratory problems because he felt severe shortness of breath and had low oxygen.

Tolis Voskopoulos was one of the most important singers in the history of Greek song, and by far the most commercial.

When he first started singing because of his style, his staging, and the way he performed and dressed, his fanatical fans called him Prince.

Tolis Voskopoulos was at the top of Greek folk song for decades, a fact that led the equally great artist and lyricist Giannis Parios to declare: "the only star that Greece has is Tolis".

In fact, as George Gerolymatos stated in the 1970s, young singers broke their teeth in order to look like Voskopoulos (due to the artist's characteristic denture).

At times he has written songs both in lyrics and music that he has included on his personal albums or have been performed by other artists, most famously his duet with Marinella "Me and you" in 1974 which made a record sales and is sung even today.

As an actor, he starred in multiple films including the 1974 theatrical hit, “Oi Erastes tou Oneirou”  (Dream Lovers) opposite Zoe Laskari.

Among his admirers were and are people from all walks of life, from the popular world of working-class neighborhoods to the financial elite of shipowners, and of course the late Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou.

His memory and music will be internal

Rest in Peace

READ MORE: Introducing the last traditional phyllo master.

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