Three years on this day Brighton le sands Sydney Australia and Mykonos Greece, lost the much loved and popular legend that was tekno aka Chris Manos
If you had set foot on the Greek island of Mykonos in summer or Sydney’s Brighton-Le-Sands in the last 25 years you would’ve come across Chris Tekno Manos.
King of Brighton, having manned the doors while entertaining the masses with his dance moves at Bay Vista since the nineties, and the original King of Mykonos after 25 consecutive years spending summers dancing on podiums at his beloved Super Paradise if you didn’t know him personally, it felt like you did.
Everyone who crossed his path remembered him, if not for his dancing, including his signature “Butterfly” move or penchant for tight, bright European fashions, then for the wide smile that lit up his face, the warmth he exuded and the love he had for his family and friends.
When news of his untimely passing first sent shockwaves through social media last night, many thought it was a hoax, refusing to believe the vibrant man who had just turned 50 years old but had a zest for life and energy to rival those half his age had gone for good. Bay Vista announced it would be closed for the night in a show of respect to its longest-serving employee. Poignantly, the sight of floral tributes adorned the cafe’s steps this morning.
Brighton and Mykonos will never be the same. For an entire generation, he was part of the tapestry of their social life or holidays. Tributes immediately started pouring in, a mix of grief and disbelief, sadness and shock about the man whose loss marks the end of era. People spoke of his friendly nature, his willingness to always have a chat and take a photo with customers, his love of music, his ability to break out in dance at any given time, and his heart of gold.
"We became friends through our love of music and our love for our patrida Ellada. Every day he lived with nothing but love and happiness, he shared it with others and showed everyone how to have a good time. He was more than a friend to me and so many others, he was like a brother,” said a close friend of over 15 years, Sydney DJ Dimitri Velentzas. “I will never forget his famous saying, 'Don't exist. Live!'"
Many had also experienced Tekno’s artistic side first-hand, from the talented drawings he created for friends and customers to his recent foray into acting. "We lost a brother,” says close friend and Sydney filmmaker Billy Cotsis. “For a great life lived and to all the people he touched, from Sydney to Mykonos, Chris Manos aka Tekno will be missed. Chris behaved like a brother and friend to me and to everyone. He was a champion in every respect, a gentleman who had a zest for life. For three decades he has entertained, danced, connected and made people smile. He was the key element of four short film projects we made together including one about Mykonos and another, a satire, about friendship and dating.
“Our entire community is shocked. There will never be another like him. From adorning billboards and CD covers to looking after people at Bay Vista, he will forever be in our hearts."
His close friend and Brighton colleague of over 20 years, Peter Fatouros echoed the sentiments of thousands when he posted the following tribute on Tekno’s Facebook page:
“My heart dropped and my skin got goosebumps when I was told of your departure from this world. Tekno Manos, you were one of the nicest people I have ever come across, I never heard you raise your voice, always a smile, always a love for everyone. This world will miss this amazing man that you were. The island of Mykonos will never be the same.
I told you this year when you came back from the 30-year tribute and your 50th birthday to pass your title to an apprentice, but you told me when you came back that this can never happen because there's only one Chris ( TEKNO) Manos all the rest are imitators. I replied that is the truth.
Wherever you are now my friend I know that you'll be dancing with the trademark butterfly dance of yours drinking sfinakia.”
GCT sends condolences to Tekno’s family, friends, Brighton and Mykonos colleagues and all who knew and loved him. Rest in peace Tekno. You were one of a kind. Thank you for the memories.
