The news of the passing of beloved artist Manolis Lidakis has cast a shadow of deep sorrow, as he passed away just two days before his 65th birthday.
The well-known singer had been struggling with health issues in recent months and had also been hospitalised.
After being discharged from the hospital, he moved in with a friend to recover from his ordeal. However, today, he was found dead.
According to reports from neakriti.gr, he was discovered in an Airbnb in Anissaras, Hersonissos.
Biography
Manolis Lidakis was born in Heraklion, Crete, and began engaging with music at a very young age. At nine years old, he started his studies at the Conservatory, where he learned music theory, guitar, and wind instruments.
His first “official” live performance experience was with the two Philharmonic Orchestras of Heraklion, where he played the euphonium and trumpet from 1970 to 1977.
In 1982, he moved to Athens and joined the army. During the intervening years, he worked as a musician and singer in tavernas and bouat (small music venues) in Crete.
Encouraged by friends, he participated in the television show Na I Efkeria (Here’s Your Chance). This appearance led him to sign his first record deal.
His debut album was produced with Giorgos Katsaros, featuring lyrics by Ilias Lymperopoulos, under the title Meta Apo Sena (After You).
He then participated in the album Mila Mou Apla (Talk to Me Simply) alongside Eleni Dimou and Giannis Parios.
He was also featured on albums such as Reportaz by Giannis Markopoulos with Giorgos Dalaras, Proto Vrady Stin Athina (First Night in Athens) by Nikos Xydakis, and several others.
From 1983, when Manolis Lidakis began his recording career, he performed in many nightclubs alongside prominent artists and participated in concerts across Greece.
Rise to fame and discography
In 1988, he changed record labels, signing with Sony Music, which marked the beginning of his great success.
A milestone in his career was the album Oute Pou Rotisa (I Didn’t Even Ask), released in 1990, featuring songs by renowned artists such as Dimitra Galani, Giannis Spanos, Stamatis Kraounakis, Arleta, Lina Nikolakopoulou, Eftychia Papagiannopoulou, Manolis Chiotis, and others.
In May 1992, he released the album Karavi Apopse To Fili (A Ship Tonight, The Kiss). This album cemented his signature interpretative style with unforgettable renditions of songs by Vassilis Tsitsanis, Bagianteras, K. Ernani, Dimitris Christodoulou, Ioannis Papaioannou, Takis Grous, Eftychia Papagiannopoulou, and others. The album became platinum, selling over 60,000 copies.
In June 1995, he released the album 4 Kyklos Tragoudion (Four Cycles of Songs). The first cycle, Oloi Mou Lene Ti Na Kano (Everyone Tells Me What to Do), featured songs by Vasso Alagianni. The second cycle included Songs of Dimitris Gkogos (Bagianteras). The third cycle, Me Ta Ftera Tou Erota (With the Wings of Love), featured lyrics by Ilias Katsoulis and music by Takis Grous. The fourth cycle, Nyhtes Sti Freattida (Nights in Freattida), contained works by Maria Papadopoulou, Thodoris Gkonis, Tasos Rentzis, Markos Spirlidakis, Kostas Papadopoulos, and K. Vougiouklakis, along with two adaptations by Thymios Papadopoulos. This remarkable album became gold, selling over 40,000 copies.
In April 1997, he released a CD single featuring two traditional Cretan songs arranged by himself, titled Astra Mi Me Malonete (Stars, Don’t Scold Me), which achieved platinum status.
In June 1998, he released his new album O Ilios Tou Genari (The January Sun), with songs by Giannis Spathas, Orfeas Peridis, Haris and Panos Katsimichas, Thodoris Gkonis, and Alkinoos Ioannidis. The album quickly became gold, reaching nearly 50,000 sales.
In December 1999, he released a double album titled San Palio Krasi (Like Old Wine). The first CD contained live recordings from his concerts over the past five years, while the second featured twelve unreleased recordings of classic folk songs. This album achieved platinum status, selling 80,000 double albums (160,000 copies based on IFPI measurements at the time).
In June 2001, he released the album Yliko Oneiron (Material of Dreams). Of the fourteen songs on the album, seven were composed by Giorgos Andreou, who also wrote lyrics for two (Ego Me Tin Agapi Mallosa and M’ Enan Orko Mystiko). One song combined traditional sounds from Asia Minor with lyrics by Lakis Lazopoulos (An I Psyhi Eiche Foni). Kostas Livadas contributed Gia Na Synantiso and S’Echo De S’Echo. Two songs were written by Sokratis Malamas with lyrics by Alkis Alkaios. The title song, inspired by The Tempest by William Shakespeare, featured a duet with Eleni Tsaligopoulou.
In April 2004, he released To Kleidi (The Key), featuring works by established composers and lyricists such as Takis Bourmas, Christos Nikolopoulos, Iraklis Vavatsikas, Orfeas Peridis, Sofi Pappa, Christos Tsiamoulis, Manolis Karantinis, Stergios Gargalas, Thodoris Gkonis, Lina Dimopoulou, and Sofia Thomopoulou. The album also included a reinterpretation of Akis Panou’s I Pia Ta Cheili Sou Kai Hanomai (I Drank Your Lips and Got Lost).
In the summer of 2005, he released the CD Osa Sou’cho Pei (Everything I’ve Told You), which included previous hits, four new songs, and a DVD.
In February 2006, he released the album Kokkino Akrogiali (Red Seashore), which featured 14 songs produced by himself. Highlights included Choros Sto Rythmo Tou Syrtou Pentozali (Dance to the Rhythm of Syrtos Pentozalis) by Manos Hadjidakis, the instrumental theme of Captain Michalis by Nikos Kazantzakis, and the Cretan Rizitiko song Perivoli.
In 2007, Manolis Lidakis released Aystiros Laikon (Strictly Folk), revisiting classic folk songs by composers such as Vassilis Tsitsanis, Apostolos Kaldaras, Mikis Theodorakis, Christos Nikolopoulos, Antonis Repanis, Orfeas Peridis, and Sokratis Malamas.
Lidakis’ remarkable career left an indelible mark on Greek music, and his legacy will live on through his unforgettable interpretations and powerful contributions to the industry.
Also read: Greek actor Dimitris Imellos dies at 57 after long battle with cancer
Source: skai.gr
