Haris Alexiou (Greek: Χάρις Αλεξίου) (born 27 December 1950 in Thebes, Greece as Harikleia Roupaka, Greek: Χαρίκλεια Ρουπάκα) is a Greek singer. She is one of the most popular singers in Greece and has been commercially successful since the 1970s. She has worked with important Greek songwriters and composers, performed at top musical theatres all over the world and has received several awards. She has recorded over thirty albums and has been featured on albums of other musicians. Despite Haris Alexiou is not used to refer to her sales' numbers, according to the Greek discography researcher Petros Dragoumanos (2009)[1], Alexiou holds the no1 female ranking and totaly the no3 ranking, concerning the sales of the personal albums certified gold or platinum in greek discograpfy since 1970, behind the male singers George Dalaras and Yiannis Parios. Eight (8) of her personal albums released between 1977 and 2003 have surpassed the 100.000 sales, the only Greek female singer to do so. The fact that the seven (7) of the above mentioned albums have been of a different music style, produced with different composers and released between constant time periods demonstrates her unique and indisputable figure in contemporary Greek music.
She lives in Athens since 1958, when she and her family moved there from Thebes. Her grandmother's family migrated in 1924 from İzmir.Contents [hide] 1 Biography 1.1 70s 1.2 1980s 1.3 90s 1.4 2000 - 2 Discography 2.1 Vinyl 45's 2.2 LPs/CDs 2.2.1 Collaborations 2.2.2 Personal 3 Video sampling: Alexiou in concerts, TV shows, videoclips, film shows 3.1 Concerts & TV Shows Videos 3.2 Video clips 3.3 Film Shows Videos 4 References 5 External links
[edit] Biography
[2] Haris Alexiou appeared in the Greek musical scene in the early 1970s. Her charismatic voice, combined with a unique way of performing and a strong scenic presence, very soon led her to the top. Today she is still at the top, always working hard, always seeking new ways of expression and always giving prestige and value to the contemporary light and popular Greek music. She has worked with the most important Greek songwriters, has performed at the greatest musical theatres in all five continents and has received several important awards.
She has had over thirty of her own albums recorded, has participated in albums of other artists, either renowned or young and promising, being always open to new ways in music. [edit] 70s
The first important step in her career was her participation with George Dalaras in the album "Mikra Asia" (Asia Minor") written by Apostolos Kaldaras and Pythagoras (Pythagoras Papastamatiou) in 1972. A historic album, the biggest hit of the '70s and rightfully included in "MINOS-EMI's 100 Greatest Hit of the Century".
In 1973 Haris participates in the albums Kalimera ilie (Good Morning, Sun) by Manos Loizos and Lefteris Papadopoulos, Byzantinos Esperinos (Byzantine Vesper) by Apostolos Kaldaras and Lefteris Papadopoulos and Odos Aristotelous (Aristotelous Street) by Yannis Spanos and Lefteris Papadopoulos. Meeting Manos Loizos was the beginning of a lifelong friendship and a prolific cooperation.
In 1975, her first personal album 12 'Laika' Songs was released. One of them, "Dimitroula" becomes an all time standard. The same year, she appears in "boites" in Plaka, imposing a new way of presenting songs, completely different from the conventional big night clubs. It is the first year after the fall of the military junta, a time for the political songs and the revival of "rebetika" songs, and Haris Alexiou sings traditional songs, ballads, modern songs, folk songs and rebetika. For long periods of time, she appears with George Dalaras, Dimitra Galani, Vasilis Papakonstantinou and Yiannis Parios. Her concerts in stadiums and theatres, with songs written by Manos Loizos, Lefteris Papadopoulos, Nikolopoulos, Spanos, Theodorakis, Stavros Kouyioumtzis and others, are extremely successful. Her popularity reaches its peak. Since then, she is "Haroula of Greece".
In 1979, the album Ta tragoudia tis Haroulas (Haroula's Songs) was released. Manos Loizos had written the music and the lyrics were written by Manolis Rassoulis and Pythagoras (Pythagoras Papastamatiou). From this album, "o Fantaros" ("The Soldier") immediately becomes a big hit, while "Ola se thymizoun" ("All Things Remind Me of You") is considered one the most beautiful Greek ballads of all time. [edit] 1980s
The 1980s start with two enormous hits: "Fevgo" ("I'm Leaving") and "Ximeroni" ("The Day Breaks"). Songs of Yesterday, her album together with Dimitra Galani includes ballads which fascinate the public. At the same time she records traditional and folk songs, rebetika and laika, and gives concerts both in Greece and abroad.
1983 is the year of the album Tsilika, a collector's item, with old rebetika songs written between 1900 and 1935.
1986 is the year of her first cooperation with composer Thanos Mikroutsikos. The album is entitled I Agapi ine zali (Dizzy with Love) with lyrics by Alkis Alkeos, Nikos Kavadias, Andreas Mikroutsikos and Babis Tsikliropoulos The title song becomes an enormous hit. "Eleni" and "Erotikon" from the same album, are also extremely successful. The same year Haroula conquers the French public appearing in "Theatre de la Ville", getting dithyrambic reviews from the French press. After that she gives concerts in Cyprus, Tunisia, Germany and many towns all over Greece.
In 1987, world famous Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis invites her to appear in his club "Sirius" with the "Unpredictable Songs". He directs her and later he goes to the recording studio with her. The summer of this year, she sings in Hadjidakis' concerts in many Greek towns.
In 1988 she works with "Fatme" a group of young and talented artists. She also works with Paolo Conte, well known Italian singer ang songwriter. They appear together at the Palace Theatre of Athens. She has two of his songs recorded with Greek lyrics by Lina Nikolakopoulou.
In 1989, "The Show in on". It is the musical show which she presents for two years, together with Dimitra Galani and Yiannis Parios, in Athens and Thessaloniki. An album with the same title resulted from this work. [edit] 90s
1990 begins with her second cooperation with Thanos Mikroutsikos. The album is entitled This Cologne Lingers on for Years with lyrics by Lina Nikolakopoulou. In October of the same year, she participates in the most important concert of the decade in Peace and Friendship Stadium of Athens. In this festive concert, called "Our Own Night", all the big names of the Greek show business are present. Yiannis Parios, Thanos Mikroutsikos, Dimitra Galani, Chris Nikolopoulos, Alkistis Protopsalti, George Sarris, George Zambetas, Lakis Lazopoulos and the legendary Melina Merkouri.
In 1991 she appears in Attikon Theatre of Athens with a special show called In Three Acts. In the first act she sings songs by Hadjidakis, Loizos, Mikroutsikos and Brecht-Weill. In the second act she hosts certain groups of modern Greek music and presents songs written by herself. The third act is a medley with her hits, old and new. She then presents this show in the State Theatre of Northern Greece, which for the first time accepted a Greek singer in its stage. With her concerts, sets new standards for musical shows, using state of the art sound and light equipment and impressive decors. In autumn 1991, together with Costas Hadjis, presents a show directed by Mauro Bolognini at Rex Theatre in Athens and Radio City in Thessaloniki. Alexiou Sings Hadjis is the album that follows.
In 1992 she starts her cooperation with Polygram, successfully presenting a new style in her songs. The album Di' efchon (L'orale)with music by Nikos Antypas and lyrics by Lina Nikolakopoulou comes as something quite fresh in the Greek discography, giving a new thrust to Haroula's already long career.
In 1993 the above album is released in Japan, Belgium, France and Israel by Polygram Intenational. The French TV channel "MCM International" films and shows her concert at Lycabetus Theatre. The same year she travels around the world with concerts in Cyprus, USA, Canada, Israel, several European countries, finishing in Paris at the Mogador Theatre.
In 1994 her album Hey! is released with music by Nikos Antypas and lyrics by Lefteris Papadopoulos and Aris Davarakis. The summer of the same year, she appears in Odeon of Herodes Atticus with a show directed by Mauro Bolognini. In October, it's her first and extremely successful appearance in Japan.
In 1995, the album 88 Nefelis Street is released. The songs of this album are all written by herself. For this album, in April 1995, at the Palais de Congress in Paris, she receives the "Prix Adami", an award given every Year by Charles Cross Academy to distinguished artists. The same year, she opens Studio Nefeli where she presents her new songs, creating a new "Cafe Theatre" atmosphere. Dimitri Papajoannou is the director of the show.
In 1996, she writes then lyric for "Nefeli's Tango" on Loreena McKennit's music. This song along with other live recordings from her concerts around the world, is included in the album Around the World '92-'96. "Nefeli's Tango", for several months is one of the ten top songs of World Music in Europe.
In summer 1997, responding to the invitation of Olympic Games Committee "Athens 2004", she gives a concert at Pnyka Hill very close to Acropolis. Such is the success of this concert, so she has to repeat it twice at the same location.
1998 is the year of The Game of Love, her second album with songs written only by herself. The recording took place at the Studio Guillaume Tell in Paris with Greek and foreign musicians. The same year, she tours North and South America with Nikos Papazoglou. In December she appears in Athens at Diogenis Studio which is reconstructed in order to meet the demands of the show she presented with Chris Nikolopoulos. The show is directed by Dimitri Papajoannoy again.
In October 1999, she sings along with Turkish famous lady singer Sezen Aksu, both in Athens and Istanbul, for the victims of the earthquakes which afflicted the two countries that year, under the auspice of the Ministry of Culture. This cooperation is repeated in summer 2000 in Istanbul and İzmir. [edit] 2000 -
Alexiou in Berlin, October 2006.
In September 2000, the album Whispers is released. It includes her favourite songs performed by her and a piano only. In October, she presents these songs in Music Palace of Athens and in the ancient Epidaurus Odeon accompanied by a small musical ensemble. The same year, she founds her own record company, "Estia", in order to produce all her future ventures in discography. In December, the first album is released entitled Strange Light. In this album she meets again songwriters with whom she has successfully worked in the past. Strange Light becomes Lumiere Etrange and is released all over Europe by Universal-France. At the same time, Haroula tours Europe giving concerts at the most prestigious theatres, conquering both audiences and critics. Her tour ends with a triumphal appearance at Theatre Olympia in Paris.
2002 is another creative year for Haroula. She appears on the Keramikos Music Hall, this time singing more "laika" songs. In this show, Lavrentis Macheritsas and other younger artists participate. The result is the album "Keramikos Live".
In 2003 the album To the end of your heaven went four times platinum and WORLD MUSIC AWARDS, one of the most significant institutions of the international music industry, presented Haris Alexiou with the award for The Best Selling Greek Artist for the season 2003-2004 (2004 World Music Awards).
2004, the Olympic Games are held in Athens. Haris Alexiou, sings at the closing ceremony, along with D. Galani, Marinella, Y. Parios, G. Dalaras. In October 2004, the retrospective compilation album titled Anthology was released. This double CD is composed of 38 songs from her previous albums and of two new ones. Alexiou herself selected the included songs, not only choosing the most popular ones, but also bearing in mind the significance of each song for herself.
In April 2005 remastered and repackaged editions of her 16 albums under the banner of MINOS EMI were released. The albums were reprinted, digitally remastered, and the new editions were meticulously designed (including the lyrics, many informative texts and original photos from the time of the first release).
In 2006 Haris Alexiou is back with Sour cherry and bitter orange, an album depicting the traditional aspects of contemporary music. Thodoris Papadopoulos, Smaro Papadopoulou and Makis Seviloglou wrote the music and the lyrics, suggesting a return to our roots. An album that, despite its unusual content, managed to go platinum, just a few months after it was released, receiving people's recognition and love. During the summer she made a series of special appearances. Along with Dimitra Galani, she gave two concerts dedicated to Sofia Vembo at Odeon of Herodes Atticus, an event organized by Athens Festival. She gave four sold-out concerts along with Sokratis Malamas and Alkinoos Ioannidis, celebrating "Melodia" radio station's 25 years of broadcasting, at Lycabettus theatre in Athens and at "Palais des sports" in Thessaloniki. These concerts were recorded and a double CD and DVD edition will be released in March 2007. At the end of 2006 Haris Alexiou undertook a major tour around Europe, giving a series of concerts and promoting the international release of her album, "Anthology".
From 26 February to 3 March 2007, she will be appearing at the Athens Concert Hallfor in five unique concerts, directed by Panos Papadopoulos. The songs will be orchestrated by Kostas Papadoukas and the big orchestra conducted by Alexandros Myrat. Haris Alexiou gave three concerts under the title "Everything reminds me of you", dedicated to Manos Loizos, at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on 13, 14 and 15 June 2007, participating in the celebrations for the 70th anniversary from his birth. Nikos Portokaloglou and the group "Triphonon" appeared along with her on stage, in those unique concerts directed by Panos Papadopoulos. The songs were arranged by Kostas Papadoukas and the lighting was designed by Andreas Sinanos. Two more concerts were given at Thessaloniki, followed by a summer tour around Greece and Cyprus along with the "Triphonon", dedicated to the great composer. On October 22, the album Haris Alexiou - A tribute to Manos Loizos was released, containing the live recording and video-taping of the concerts given at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus the previous June during the Athens Festival. Nikos Portokaloglou and the group "Triphonon" also appear on the album. The album was released in both a double cd and a double cd dvd packaging by Estia recordings.
From Greece to Australia, from Russia to Africa, from America to Japan, Haris Alexiou travels around and shows the world the feeling of the Greek song. She firmly believes that the Greek song, through its poets and composers, made her to love and better understand the history and the culture of her country. [edit] Discography [edit] Vinyl 45's 1970: Otan pini mia gineka (by Vasiliades, Pythagoras) 1970: To parasinthima (by Apostolos Kaldaras) 1971: Efige i agapi (by Tolis Voskopoulos)
etc... [edit] LPs/CDs [edit] Collaborations 1972: Mikra Asia (by Apostolos Kaldaras, with George Dalaras) 1973: Byzantinos Esperinos (by Apostolos Kaldaras, with George Dalaras) 1974: Prodomenos Laos (by Mikis Theodorakis) 1974: Kalimera Ilie (by Manos Loizos) 1974: Gia Rembetes Kai Gia Filous (by Apostolos Kaldaras) 1974: Odos Aristotelous (by Giannis Spanos)
etc... [edit] Personal 1975: 12 Laika Tragoudia 1976: Laikes Kyriakes 1976: Haris Alexiou 2 1977: 24 Tragoudia Kai 1 Tragoudi 1979: Ta Tragoudia Tis Haroulas 1980: Ksimeronei 1981: Ta Tragoudia Tis Htesinis Meras 1981: Ta Tragoudia Tis Yis Mou 1982: I Zoi Mou Kyklous Kanei 1983: Ta Tsilika 1984: Emfilios Erotas 1986: I Agapi Einai Zali 1986: A Paris 1987: I Haris Alexiou Se Aprovlepta Tragoudia 1988: I Nihta Thelei Erota 1990: Krataei Hronia Afti I Kolonia 1991: I Alexiou Tragoudaei Hatzi 1991: I Diki Mas Nihta 1992: Di'Efhon 1994: Ei 1995: Odos Nefelis '88 1996: Gyrizontas Ton Kosmo 1997: Ena Fili Tou Kosmou 1997: Gyrizontas Ton Kosmo Kai Ena Fili Tou Kosmou 1998: To Paihnidi Tis Agapis 2000: Parakseno Fos 2000: Psythyri 2002: Cine Kerameikos 2003: Os Tin Akri Tou Ouranou Sou 2004: Anthologio 2006: Vissino Kai Nerantzi 2006: Gyrizontas Ton Kosmo Kai Ena Fili Tou Kosmou (Special Edition) 2007: Alexiou - Malamas - Ioannidis 2007: Afieroma Sto Mano Loizo 2009: I Agapi Tha Se Vri Opou Kai Na'sai
In the below table, the personal albums certified gold or platinum, in descending order by sales [3]. The reeditions' sales are not included.Album Title Y/Μ Label Gold/Plat Sales Gyrizontas Ton Kosmo, Live '92-'96 1996/04 Mercury live recording LP & CD P 135.000 Os Tin Akri Tou Ouranou Sou 2003/09 EMI CD P 120.000 Gyrizontas Ton Kosmo Kai Ena Fili Tou Kosmou, Live '92-'97 1997/12 Mercury live recording CD P 115.000 Di'Efhon 1992/10 Philips LP & CD P 110.000 I Agapi Einai Zali 1986/04 Minos LP & CD P 100.000 Ta Tragoudia Tis Htesinis Meras 1981/04 Minos LP & CD P 100.000 Ta Tragoudia Tis Haroulas 1979/06 Minos LP & CD P 100.000 24 Tragoudia 1977/11 Minos 2LPs & CD P 100.000 Odos Nefelis '88 1995/02 Philips LP & CD P 86.000 Anthologio 2004/10 EMI συλλογή 2CDs P 80.000 Ena Fili Tou Kosmou 1997/04 Mercury live recording CD P 75.000 I Haris Alexiou Se Aprovlepta Tragoudia 1987/04 Minos LP & CD G 75.000 I Nihta Thelei Erota 1988 Minos LP & CD G 68.000 To Paihnidi Tis Agapis 1998/05 Mercury CD P 61.000 Vissino Kai Nerantzi 2006/06 EMI CD P 50.000 Krataei Hronia Afti I Kolonia 1990/03 Minos LP & CD G 50.000 Emfilios Erotas 1984/12 Minos LP & CD G 50.000 I Zoi Mou Kyklous Kanei 1982/04 Minos LP & CD G 50.000 Ksimeronei 1980/06 Minos LP & CD G 50.000 Laikes Kyriakes 1976/12 Minos LP & CD G 50.000 12 Laika Tragoudia 1975 Minos LP & CD G 50.000 Afieroma Sto Mano Loizo 2007/10 Estia live recording 2CDs & DVD P 40.000 Alexiou-Malamas-Ioannidis Lykabettus Live 2007/03 Estia live recording 2CDs & DVD P 30.000 Psythyri 2000/09 Mercury CD G 30.000 Ei 1994/05 Philips LP & CD G 30.000 Cine Kerameikos 2002/05 Estia live recording 2CDs G 25.000 Parakseno Fos 2000/12 Sony CD G 25.000 Dos mou mia mera/I diki mou kseni 1998/03 Philips CD Single G 11.000
[edit] Video sampling: Alexiou in concerts, TV shows, videoclips, film shows [edit] Concerts & TV Shows Videos 1975, TV show: Video of Haris Alexiou singing her song "Dimitroula mou" (Αlbum "12 laika tragoudia", 1975) at the TV show of G.Papastefanou on ERT TV in the middle 70s 1979, TV show: Video of Haris Alexiou singing her song "Hathika" (Αlbum "24 ke 1 tragoudia", 1977) on a ERT TV show, produced at the house of Mikis Theodorakis in 1979 1983, Athens: Video of Haris Alexiou singing 3 Kazantzidis' songs at her concert in 1983 1984, Athens: Video of Haris Alexiou singing the old song "Mia melahrini" at her live collaboration with Giorgos Dalaras in 1984 1987, TV show: Video of Haris Alexiou singing her song "Erotiko" (Αlbum "I agapi ine zali", 1986) on a ERT-TV show in 1987 1987, TV show: Video of Haris Alexiou singing her song "I agapi ine zali" (Αlbum "I agapi ine zali", 1986) with the album composer Thanos Mikroutsikos on a ERT-TV show in 1987 1987, Patras: Video of Haris Alexiou singing 4 songs of the composers Hadjidakis, Kaldaras, Loizos, Mikroutsikos at her concert in 1987 1990, Athens: Video of Haris Alexiou singing the song "O Fantaros" (Αlbum "Ta tragoudia tis Haroulas", 1979) at her concert in 1990 1991, Israel: Video of Haris Alexiou singing the song "Mia ine i ousia" (Αlbum "Emfilios erotas", 1984) at her concert in 1991 1992-96: Video of Haris Alexiou singing the french song "Ne me quitte pas" (Αlbum "Girizontas ton kosmo 92-96", 1996) at her live touring during 1992-96 [edit] Video clips Video clip-like of the song "Ola se thimizoun" (Αlbum "Ta tragoudia tis Haroulas", 1979) and a tribute to the album composer Manos Loizos Video clip of the song "Di'Efhon" (Αlbum "Di'Efhon", 1992) Video clip of the song "Na ziso i na pethano (Flamenco)" (Αlbum "Di'Efhon", 1992) Video clip of the song "Panselinos" (Αlbum "Odos Nefelis'88", 1995) Video clip of the song "To tango tis Nefelis (Tango to Evora)" (Αlbum "Girizontas ton kosmo 92-96", 1996) Video clip of the song "Theos an ine" (Αlbum "Girizontas ton kosmo 92-96", 1996) [edit] Film Shows Videos 1972: Haris Alexiou singing the song "dio kaimi (itan t'oniro mikro)" (Film "O agnostos ekinis tis nihtas", 1972) in 1972 [edit] References ^ Dragoumanos, Petros (2009). Elliniki Diskografia 1950-2009 (Greek Discography 1950-2009) ^ Official website http://www.alexiou.gr/ ^ Dragoumanos, Petros (2009). Elliniki Diskografia 1950-2009 (Greek Discography 1950-2009)
