Music Rock/ May 12, 2025/

The Greek Rock Scene of the 70s

The Greek rock music scene in the early 1970s was based mainly on two record companies, Lyra and PolyGram. Let’s take a look at the bands that participated and stood out on this journey through the Lyra record label.

Nikolas Assimos

Nikolas Assimos, an iconic figure in the Greek rock scene, released the song “The Mechanism” in 1975. This song, which reflects the unconventional and revolutionary nature of the artist, became a symbol for an entire generation that sought change and freedom of expression. Through his lyrics, Assimos causticized society and its structures, inviting the listener to reflect on reality and seek the truth beyond conventional boundaries.

Peloma Bokiou

Peloma Bokiou was formed in the fall of 1970 and was one of the most important bands on the Greek rock scene. Their name comes from the first syllables of the last names of the original members of the group: Petros, Loris, Marianthi, Bob and Kiousis. They were plaing mainly covers of Traffic and Santana, and managed to combine traditional Greek sounds with rock influences, creating a unique and distinctive sound.

The band then consisted of Vlassis Bonatsos (percussion, vocals), Yiannis Kiourtsoglou (guitar, vocals), Nikos Daperis (bass, vocals), Nikos Logothetis (instrument) and Takis Marinakis (drums). There were several changes in their line-up, as Yiannis Kiourtsoglou was replaced in turn by Lakis Zois and Takis Andritsos, while Nikos Logothetis was replaced by Giorgos Stefanakis and Ilias Marinakis (bass) was added. Their base was the club “Cin Cin”, at 3, Zoodochou Pigis and Akadimias streets, in the center of Athens.

One of their most famous songs was “Garyfalle, Garyfalle”, which became a hit and was loved by the public. The lyrics of the song express the everyday life and concerns of the youth of the time, while its music combines rock rhythms with traditional melodies. A cover of the song was released in 1995 by FM Records, which was recorded the same year at Passion studio in Ilioupoli by Goin’ Through and Andreas Giatrakos, with sound engineer George Grikos. The song was performed again in the studio by Vlassis Bonatsos, with Vassilis Saleas on clarinet and Despina Kraounaki on production.

Peloma Bokiou also recorded an album with the composition of Daperis – Stefanakis – Bonatsos – Marinaki brothers – Androutsos, whose first edition with the double cover has been considered, since the mid-1990s, a collector’s item. This particular LP was later released in the Greek market but with a single cover and a change in the track list of the first side.

They released several albums during their career, while participating in many concerts and festivals, leaving their indelible mark on the Greek music scene. Despite the band’s breakup in the late 1970s, their music continues to influence young artists and be a source of inspiration.

Exadaktylos

Perhaps the most historic band of the era was Exadaktylos. It was formed in the late 1960s by Dimitris Poulikakos (vocals, percussion), Antonis Triantafyllou (bass), Nikos Daperis (guitar) and Johny Labizi (guitar).

They began rehearsals in the late 1960s, in a small studio owned by Dimitris Poulikakos, in Akadimias street. Their first official appearance was in the summer of 1971 in Thessaloniki, at the former “Luxembourg” where they stayed for just twenty days and then played at “Hobby”. The winter of 1971 found them at “Kyttaro” in the company of Socrates, Gkaifylias, Dimitris Psarianos, Damon & Fintias and Rebelo Askeri. Then they went to “Rodeo” and “Parenthesi” (later the discotheque “Retro”). The band performed numerous live performances in various venues in Athens and the province, attracting a fanatical audience that appreciated their originality and energy on stage. Their music is characterized by strong guitar lines, strong vocals and a rhythmic background that combines rock and traditional elements.

The flip side of their first single was the song “Se Kali Meria”, which was then cut by censorship and replaced by “Ehoun Kakous Skopous”. They participated in the album “Zontanoi Sto Kyttaro” with the songs “To Xehasmeno Pigadi” (which became a hit and was loved by the public, with its lyrics expressing everyday life and the concerns of the youth of that time) and “O Aneprokopos”. In the lyrical field, they were also helped by the well-known music producer Tassos Falireas. They mainly played Zappa, Stones, Nick Gravenites, Hartler, Hendrix, Muddy Waters, etc.

In 1971, Leonidas Alachadamis (drums), Nikos Politis (guitar), Dakis Diakogiannis (saxophone) joined the band, while in the summer of 1972, Dimos Papachristou (guitar) and Giorgos Filippidis (bass) joined.

Before they disbanded (summer 1973) they had managed to record two more songs, “Skoni Petres Laspi – Dust, Stones, Mud” and “Hthesina Trena – Yesterday’s Trains”, which were included in Dimitris Poulikakos‘ first album “Metafore Ekdrome O Mitsos – Transportation Excursions by Mitsos”.

Damon & Fidias

Damon & Fintias was the first band in which Pavlos Sidiropoulos participated. They were formed in Thessaloniki in 1969. The other member was Pantelis Deligiannidis (who came from the Olympians).

Pavlos Sidiropoulos was studying mathematics at the time and took his first artistic steps while looking for a band. Pantelis Deligiannidis had the same musical tastes as Pavlos Sidiropoulos and based on them the duo Damon & Fintias was created.

Coming to Athens, they appeared at “Kyttaro” with Socrates, recorded a single for Lyra and also participated in the LP “Zontanoi sto Kyttaro”. Later they joined Bourboulia, namely Nikos Tsilogiannis and Vassilis Dallas, who had accompanied Dionyssis Savvopoulos until then.

Dioskouri

The return to Athens of Vangelis Germanos (a roommate of Pavlos Sidiropoulos in Thessaloniki) coincides with the creation of Dioskouri. Along with Vangelis Germanos, Vassilis Zaroulias (vocals, guitar), Orestis Psychopedopoulos (bass) and Thodoros Antoniou (drums) also coexisted.

In the spring of 1972, Vangelis Germanos left and joined Dionyssis Savvopoulos‘ band Laistrygona. Christos Michaiel took his place in the band. They recorded just one single titled “Frangkie, Latinie, Normandie / Oniro – Francos, Latinos, Normans / Dream”.

The band split up shortly after but left behind a legacy that continues to influence younger musicians to this day. Their contribution, although brief, was crucial to the development and consolidation of rock music in Greece.

Despite the band’s dissolution, its members continued to have an active presence in the Greek rock music scene. Dioskouri represents an era of experimentation and creativity that left indelible marks on the history of Greek rock music. Like many other artists and bands of the time, Dioskouri was part of a larger movement that sought new ways of expression and creation during a period of great social and political change in Greece.

Prokes

Prokes consisted of Christos Kyriazis, Yiannis Sofikitis, Christos Pertsinidis, and Giorgos Papageorgiou. They recorded a single titled “Diamorfosou”.

Prokes consisted of (from left) Christos Kyriazis (guitar, vocals), Yiannis Sofikitis – John Sonar (bass), Christos Pertsinidis (guitar) and Giorgos Papageorgiou (drums).

Their orchestration and sound characteristics highlighted an era of experimentation and innovation, which has since defined the evolution of the genre in Greece. Their contribution to Greek rock music remains significant and deserves recognition and study by future generations of musicians and listeners.

The band members continued their journey, offering their creative powers to various musical groups and projects.

Marina

Marina started in the 70s as a rock presence but later changed direction. The song “An tyhei na perasete ap’ ekei – If You Happen to Pass by Here” is the most well-known and representative example of her rock period. Even though she later changed musical direction, her initial contribution to Greek rock music remains significant and memorable.

Annita Koutsouveli

Annita Koutsouveli is a cult figure of the 70s. She appeared in 1971 with the recording of a progressive single, “I Chloe Perimeni – Chloe Waits / Tyligmeni Sto Chaos – Wrapped in Chaos” in which she was accompanied by the Explosives. This single consisted of two avant-garde songs that reflected the trend of the era for innovation.

After the recording of the single, traces of Annita Koutsouveli are lost, but she leaves behind a unique legacy that is still discussed and inspires music lovers.

Anadelta

Anadelta was formed in 1971. They recorded a unique single, “I Marianna Ap’ Tin Kozani – Marianna from Kozani / Istoriës Gia Theria – Stories about Beasts”, which is an important part of the Greek rock music heritage. Their members were Yiannis Kiourtsoglou (guitar, vocals), Nikos Logothetis (instrument), Giorgos Trantalidis (drums), and Mikis Michos (bass).

Yiannis Kiourtsoglou and Nikos Logothetis had left Peloma Bokiou. Mikis Michos was a member of First, while Giorgos Trantalidis had left Socrates (to whom he later returned).

Despina Glezou

Despina Glezou was one of the most well-known figures in the field until the mid-1970s. She was a member of Nostradamus and Poll. Her first recording appearance was in 1968 with the single “Who Knows”. She also participated in the historic album “Zontanoi sto Kyttaro”, which is an important document of the Greek rock scene of the time.

After the breakup of Nostradamus, in 1975 she recorded the album “New Day” with Stelios Photiadis, Vlassis Bonatsos and Dimitris Psarianos and then left for England. Upon her return, she released two pop albums.

Yiannis – Maria / Stavros

The duet Yiannis – Maria, was a precursor to Stavros and consisted of Yiannis Hatziyiannakis (vocals, guitar, bass) and Maria Avlonitou (vocals). The single “Panigiri – Festival” is considered one of the rarest of the period (along with that of Annita Koutsouveli and the song by Exadaktylos, censored by the junta of 70s in Greece).

Their song “Panigiri – Festival” is an excellent example of their ability to combine traditional Greek elements with rock music, thus creating a unique and unforgettable sound.

Dimitris Psarianos

Dimitris Psarianos is considered a solitary figure of the 70s. The highlight of his career was his participation in Manos Hadjidakis‘ “The Great Erotic”.

His unique voice and expressiveness made him one of the most remarkable performers of the era. His special talent and his collaboration with great composers highlighted his career, leaving his indelible mark on the Greek music scene of the 70s.

Bourboulia

Vassilis Dallas (bass), Yiannis Lambinski (guitar), Nikos Tsilogiannis (drums), and Spiros Kazianis (bassoon) formed the first line-up of the band Bourboulia. In essence, its career can be divided into two periods.

In the first period, they collaborated with Dionyssis Savvopoulos and were jointly responsible for the first purely rock album of Greek discography, “Ballos” (1970). Then Yiannis Lambinski (he went to Socrates) and Spiros Kazianis left. Nikos Daperis (formerly Loubogg) joined the band, and they also participated in the album “Zontanoi sto Kyttaro”, co-assisted by Dionyssis Savvopoulos (vocals) and Stella Gadedi (flute).

In the second period (1972), they parted ways with Dionyssis Savvopoulos and joined Damon & Fintias, namely Pavlos Sidiropoulos and Pantelis Deligiannidis. Thus, the composition of the band is Pavlos Sidiropoulos (vocals, percussion), Vassilis Dallas (bass), Nikos Tsilogiannis (drums), and Pantelis Deligiannidis (guitar). Before they ended up in this lineup, of course, Alekos Glikas and Aris Tassoulis (later in Akritas) also passed through the band. They recorded a single for Lyra, “Disappointment / O Damis O Skliros”. They had material ready for the recording of an album, but it was never released.

After Pantelis Deligiannidis left and shortly before they disbanded, they were joined by Nikos Politis (at one concert), Mike (American flutist), George Kouvaras (guitar) and Yiannis Spiropoulos (piano, brass). Vassilis Dallas, after the disbandment, played in the Iron Loko Band and died in Berlin on 1996/12/21, after a long battle with cancer. Nikos Tsilogiannis was a former member of Idols.

The Greek rock music scene of the 70s was full of searches, experimentation, and creativity. Artists and bands wrote unique musical pages, contributing decisively to the evolution of Greek rock music. Their influence and the legacy they left shape the course of music in Greece even today.

sources:

CD booklet of the magazine POP+ROCK, Greek Rock – 70s Routes, 1996, edited by: Akis Ladikos, produced by: General Publications Company S.A.

YouTube – Garyfalle-Garyfalle Goin’ Through feat. Vlassis Bonatsos, 1995

Discogs

YouTube – YIANNIS & MARIA – FESTIVAL, 1973