Mendoni on Vasilis Karras: He was a phenomenon that cannot be classified or defined

"Vasilis Karras was a phenomenon that cannot be classified or defined," the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni underlined in her statement about the death of the popular performer.

The Minister of Culture commented on the death of the beloved Greek folk singer Vasilis Karras.

Her statement in detail: "Vasilis Karras was a phenomenon that cannot be classified or defined. Born of our culture, it imposed itself slowly and imperceptibly as a genuine expression of a modern populism."

"An often despised populism that claimed to express everyday people and succeeded. It was a deep, clear, genuine folk voice that will be missed.

"Condolences to his family and loved ones."

Vasilis Karras died on Sunday afternoon after fighting cancer, while in the last few days, he had been diagnosed with coronavirus and was hospitalised.

The funeral of the beloved singer will take place in his hometown, Kokkinohori Kavala, which was also his last wish. On Tuesday, December 26, at 9 a.m., the Viewing will take place at the Holy Church of God of Wisdom until one in the afternoon.

The funeral service take place on Wednesday at noon in his hometown, Kokkinochori, where he will be buried.

The family wishes that people donate to the “Flame” Association of Parents of Children with Neoplastic Diseases instead of bringing wreaths.

Who was Vasilis Karras?

Vasilis Karras was born in Kokkinochori, Kavala, and at the age of 10, he went with his family to Thessaloniki. In 1969, at 16, he made his first musical appearance at the nightclub “Prosfygas” in Evosmos, Thessaloniki.

At the same time, he worked as a car mechanic, his second great love after singing. He had also worked in the engine room of OSE in Thessaloniki, a fact reflected in his song “Ego agapi mou, ego”.

He started his professional career in Thessaloniki. The records have gone gold and platinum, while his most tremendous commercial success was the record “You Made Me a Tramp”, which sold over 180,000 copies, with lyrics and music by Michalis Rakintzis.

He had collaborated with composers and lyricists, such as Dimitris Rakitzis Foivos, George Theofanous, Alekos Chrysovergis and Spyros Giatras, Evi Droutsa, Panos Falaras, Christos Dantes, Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Ilias Filippou, Michalis Hatzigiannis, Christos Nikolopoulos and many others.

He had done duets with many singers, such as Marianthi Kefala, Pyx Lax, Konstantina, Angela Dimitriou, Tolis Voskopoulos, Nikos Zoidakis, Kaiti Garbi, Despina Vandi, Elli Kokkinu, Irini Merkouri, Paola, Pantelis Pantelidis as well as with George Kakosao.

He had worked with most of them in live programs. He was also a composer and lyricist and had written songs for many Greek singers.

READ MORE: Vasilis Karras: His daughter’s moving post shortly after his death.