Markos Vamvakaris (1905-1972)
The "trunk" of rebetiko
Markos Vamvakaris was born in Syros to a poor family. From a young age he was forced to do many difficult jobs (grocery worker, newspaper vendor) and his first contact with music was through his father who played traditional musical instruments (tsimpouna and jivuri).
When he was 13 years old he left the island and went to Piraeus where he started working at the port. There he came into contact with the world of rebetiko. One day in 1923 he saw and heard for the first time someone playing the bouzouki. From that moment on he gave up everything and dedicated himself to music.
Within a few months he became one of the best self-taught bouzouki players.
In 1925 he joined the army and when he was discharged he began to write his first songs. By 1933 he had written more than 50 songs and recorded the first bouzouki album in Greece which contained 2 songs.
The following year he created with three of his friends - George Batis, Stratos Pagioumtzis and Anestis Delias - a pioneering musical ensemble for the time called "The Famous Four of Piraeus".
These four people had different personal histories and origins (2 refugees from Asia Minor, one from Piraeus and one from Syros).
What united him was their life in Piraeus and their love for bouzouki.
They started performing in Piraeus for a short period of time and then Markos Vamvakaris and George Batis traveled to Syros.
The period just before the Second World War was also the most productive. His songs were released on albums and Markos became sought after. With tours in various cities in Greece and performances in Athens.
After the war, Markos Vamvakaris started to release records again on various labels and they all became a hit. In 1954 he became ill with severe arthritis and stopped playing.
Until 1960 he was considered forgotten and outdated.
In 1960, on the initiative of another great musician, Vassilis Tsitsanis, old and new songs by Vamvakaris, were performed by great folk performers of the time (Grigoris Bithikotsis, Katie Gray, Stratos Dionysiou etc.)
The success was huge and Markos had the opportunity to work again in the popular scene and to give concerts in Athens and other cities in Greece.
Markos Vamvakaris was more than just a good musician who wrote good songs.
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He incorporated the elements of his songs from all the music of the era.
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He showcased the bouzouki in the discography
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He was a pioneer in the promotion of rebetiko music and orchestra to the general public.