Leo Leandros (born Leandros Papathanasiou), the Greek singer, composer, and lyricist, has passed away at the age of 102.
He was internationally known for his own musical career and, crucially, as the father and principal creative force behind the legendary singer, Vicky Leandros.
Born on August 23, 1923, in Astakos, Aetolia-Acarnania, Leo Leandros moved to Germany in the 1950s to pursue his music career. He utilized the stage names Leo Leandros and Mario Panas.
Leandros was one of the first artists to perform the anthem for the Greek football club Panathinaikos.
In Germany, he achieved great success as a composer, producer, and lyricist.
He chose to step away from his personal performing career to dedicate himself to cultivating the career of his daughter, Vicky Leandros, transforming her into an international star.
Leo Leandros: The Eurovision triumph
Leandros’s most famous contribution to his daughter’s success—and to European music history—was his work as a composer on the song “Après Toi” (Come What May).
The song led Vicky Leandros to victory in the 1972 Eurovision Song Contest for Luxembourg, solidifying both their international reputations.
Overall, Leo Leandros left an indelible mark as a multifaceted artist and as the mentor and driving force behind his daughter Vicky Leandros’s enduring global success.
