Elli Kokkinou (Greek: Έλλη Κοκκίνου) (Born July 24, 1970) is a Greek singer who was born in Athens, Greece.[1] Kokkinou is among the most popular singers in Greece today. She has performed together with Greek music stars such as Anna Vissi, Glykeria, Paschalis Terzis, Sakis Rouvas, Tolis Voskopoulos, Natassa Theodoridou, Giorgos Tsalikis and Kalomoira.Contents [hide] 1 Career 1.1 Early life and beginnings 1.2 1996-2002: Kapia Mera, Epikindyna Paihnidia and Andriki Kolonia 1.3 2002-2004: Sto Kokkino and Sto Kokkino Platinum Edition 1.4 2005-2006: SEX and Ki' Allo Platinum Edition 1.5 2007-Present: Eilikrina and new album 2 Personal life 3 Discography 3.1 Albums 3.2 CD singles 3.3 DVDs 4 External links 5 References
[edit] Career
[edit] Early life and beginnings
Elli Kokkinou grew up in a family with a love of music. From a young age, Elli showed interest in music and was also part of the dance group at her school.[2] Her father encouraged her to listen to music, mostly jazz, while her mother encouraged her to listen to more mainstream music, such as disco. At age five she started ballet, while at home she sang and danced for her parents at night. She soon began classic guitar courses at the Attiko Conservatory, and after that, acoustic and electric guitar lessons for another three years. Kokkinou was also very interested in sports and for six years before she finished school, she was on a water ski team. On the team she won third place in a pan-Hellenic championship as well as many gold medals. Upon graduation Kokkinou wrote her first band called "Anonimi" (Anonymous). At the same time she completed examinations and was accepted to the school Vakalo where she studied graphic, free and architectural drawing and art history.
Elli Kokkinou first professionally dealt with music in 1990 with the request of the famous Kostas Tournas.[1] Soon after, Kokkinou collaborated with many big names at the clubs such as Antonis Vardis, Tolis Voskopoulos, Anna Vissi, Pashalis Terzis, Glykeria, Eleni Dimou, and many more. At the same time Kokkinou also provided backing vocals for a number of artists' albums. [2]
In 1992, Elli Kokkinou moved to Los Angeles, CA where she studied for two years voice and piano at the Musicians Institute of Technology.[1] Her relocation to the United States offered her the chance to be taught by strong names in the music industry such as Carl Schroeder, pianist for Sarah Voaghn, and Scott Henderson. In 1994 she graduated and returned to Greece.[3]
[edit] 1996-2002: Kapia Mera, Epikindyna Paihnidia and Andriki Kolonia
In 1996 Elli Kokkinou signed a contract with Sony Music Greece and in 1998 she released her first CD single titled Kapia Mera (Someday). Music was by Antonis Vardis, with lyrics by Manou Tsilimidis and Gioula Gerorgiou.[3]
In 1999, Elli Kokkinou released her debut album titled Epikindyna Paihnidia (Dangerous games). The song "Pao Pao" became a hit single off the album. In 2000 she released her second album titled Andriki Kolonia (Male cologne).
[edit] 2002-2004: Sto Kokkino and Sto Kokkino Platinum Edition
In 2002 she signed with Heaven Music and the following year started collaborating with popular song writer Phivos.[4] In May 2003 she released the album Sto Kokkino (In red) which was one of the most successful releases in Greece of the year, reaching double platinum status. The album's first platinum certification was attained within two months and was also a great success in neighboring Turkey. Kokkinou performed with Giorgos Mazonakis in the song "To Gucci Ton Masai" which made it into the Greek top ten. Following the success of Sto Kokkino, her former label Sony Music released a greatest hits album titled Paradinomai (I'm surrendering). [2] Following the platinum status, Sto Kokkino was repackaged as Sto Kokkino Platinum Edition in 2004 with four bonus songs including a duet with Giorgos Tsalikis and a DVD. The four new songs became instant hits, while the re-release help push the certification up to 2x platinum.
On April 14, 2005, Elli Kokkinou won the international award for "Best New International Artist" by the "Union of Journalists of Turkey" (MGD), as her songs from Sto Kokkino were big hits in Turkey. [3]
Nikos Kourkoulis, Elli Kokkinou & Natassa Theodoridou at club "Votanikos" in 2006
[edit] 2005-2006: SEX and Ki' Allo Platinum Edition
Following a series of concerts in the United States and Australia with Christos Dantis, Elli Kokkinou returned in the summer of 2005 and began recording songs for her next studio album with Phivos. On November 10, 2005 Kokkinou released her fourth studio album titled SEX which was certified gold on the day of its release. The album shortly reached platinum status and was repackaged on November 13, 2006 as Ki' Allo Platinum Edition (More). Ki' Al'lo' featured 4 new songs and a bonus DVD, including a duet with Thanos Petrelis and the French language version of the single "SEX" first performed at the "MAD Music Video Awards" in 2006. For the winter season of 2006-2007, Kokkinou performed with Petrelis at club "Apollon".[4]
[edit] 2007-Present: Eilikrina and new album
On April 1, 2007, Elli announced on her official website that she had left Heaven Music and Phivos stating she would like more creative input as one of her reasons.[5] She also stated that Heaven Music had offered her to resign, which she decided not to do. Following a couple months without a label, Elli announced in July 2007, that she has signed with her original label Sony BMG Greece.[6]
In September 2007, she started appearances with Nikos Kourkoulis and Natassa Theodoridou at club "Votanikos".[7][4] In November 2007, she released her fifth studio album titled Eilikrina (Honestly).[8] The album peaked at number 2 on the Greek IFPI charts, while her lead single "Lypamai Eilikrina" peaked at number 2 on the Nielsen's Greece Radio Airplay Chart. The album quickly certified gold.[9] Due to her pregnancy, she stopped singing at Votanikos club on January 5, 2008 and Sarbel replaced her.[10][11]
In September 2008, Kokkinou went back to the studio to record her next album which is planned for release in Spring 2009.[12][13] The album will most likely be composed by Giorgos Theofanous.[13] In November 2008, Kokkinou released a song titled "Mi Ta Paratas" with music by Dimitris Kontopoulos, which is the title track to the Greek film "O Ilias Tou 16ou".[14] During an interview in late November, Kokkinou stated that she is currently in the studios searching for a new sound to come back with.[15] She stated that her new album will be out in the first three months on 2009.[15]
Elli has also recorded a track titled "Demenes" for the Barbie movie "I Barbie Kai To Diamantenio Kastro", she released the video through her official myspace page.[16]
In late March 2009, the next single from her upcoming album was released. It is a dance song, titled "Pame Ksana" (Let's go again) is composed by Dimitris Kontopoulos with lyrics by Alexandra Zakka.[17] A music video is in the works and will be directed by Kostas Kapetenidis.[18]
[edit] Personal life
In the 1990s, Elli Kokkinou had a relationship with Dionisis Schinas. Later in 2000 she began dating her business manager, Panagiotis Vasiliadi, and in September 2007 the two married. She became a stepmother to his three children from a previous marriage. In December 2007 she revealed that she was pregnant with her first child after much media scrutiny. In June 2008 Kokkinou gave birth to a boy.[19][20]
[edit] Discography[edit] Albums 1999: Epikindyna Paihnidia 2000: Andriki Kolonia 2003: Sto Kokkino 2003: Paradinomai (Best of) 2004: Sto Kokkino Platinum Edition 2005: SEX 2006: Ki Allo Platinum Edition 2007: Eilikrina 2009: Pame Xana [edit] CD singles 1998: "Kapoia Mera" [edit] DVDs 2004: Sto Kokkino - Karaoke
[edit] External links Official Website Official Myspace Official Facebook Biography (in Greek) Imeem Profile Sony BMG Profile
