Manolis Angelopoulos, Greek singer (b. 1939)
Manolis Angelopoulos (Greek: Μανώλης Αγγελόπουλος; 8 April 1939 – 2 April 1989, London) was a popular Greek singer, composer and songwriter of Gypsy origin.During his childhood Angelopoulos traveled all over Greece with his Hellenized-Gypsy family caravan selling a variety of goods from carpets to watermelons. The caravan trucks had a microphone and he began to sell these items through the use of his singing voice over the loudspeakers. After losing his father when he was 13, he tried to help his family by working in several clubs. His singing talent attracted many composers and producers offering him the opportunity to record his first song in 1957.
He gained popularity during the 1960s through his love songs as well as songs about Greek refugees and exotic places. He also brought a mix of Greek-Gypsy-Arabian influences into his songs. His song Ta Mavra Matia Sou (Greek: Τα μαύρα μάτια σου) is considered one of his most popular songs. The melody is based off a tune by the Lebanese singer Fairuz.Manolis Angelopoulos died in London hospital on 2 April 1989, one week before his fifty years, due to complications from heart surgery (triple bypass), which he had submitted on January 14. He is one of the most celebrated singers in Greece.
He married a native Greek woman, Anna Vasileiou, who was also a singer. They had three children; Elias, Stathis, and Maria, whose godfather was Stelios Kazantzidis.
1989Apr, 2
Manolis Angelopoulos
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Events on 1989
- 15Apr
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
Upon Hu Yaobang's death, the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 begin in China. - 26Apr
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
People's Daily publishes the April 26 Editorial which inflames the nascent Tiananmen Square protests - 27Apr
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
The April 27 demonstrations, student-led protests responding to the April 26 Editorial, during the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. - 20May
Tiananmen Square massacre
The Chinese authorities declare martial law in the face of pro-democracy demonstrations, setting the scene for the Tiananmen Square massacre. - 5Jun
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
The Tank Man halts the progress of a column of advancing tanks for over half an hour after the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.