Manolis Angelopoulos

Manolis Angelopoulos (Greek: Μανώλης Αγγελόπουλος; 8 April 1939 – 2 April 1989, London) was a popular Greek singer, composer and songwriter of Gypsy origin.[1]

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 "Τα μαύρα μάτια σου" ("Ta Mavra Matia Sou" meaning Your black eyes), is considered as one of his most favorite songs.

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.[2] He is one of the most celebrated singers in Greece.

He married a native Greek woman, Anna Vasileiou, who was also a singer and they had a son together, Stathis Angelopoulos, who is also a singer.