Popular Greek singer Manolis Lidakis has passed away. The beloved artist was found dead in an Airbnb in Heraklion, Crete, just days before his 65th birthday.
Born on February 28, 1960, in Heraklion, Crete, Manolis Lidakis showed a great passion for music from a very young age. At the age of nine, he began studying guitar, wind instruments, and music theory. Between 1970 and 1977, he participated in Heraklion’s philharmonic orchestras, playing the euphonium and trumpet.
In 1982, Lidakis moved to Athens, where he gained national recognition after appearing on a popular Greek television talent show Na i Efkeria (Here’s Your Chance). That same year, he signed his first record deal and released his debut album, Meta Apo Sena, composed by Giorgos Katsaros. He also contributed to albums featuring known artists such as Eleni Dimou and Giannis Parios, as well as Reportaz by Giannis Markopoulos, collaborating with Giorgos Dalaras and other notable artists.
Over the following decades, Lidakis established himself as a prominent figure in a modern music genre known in Greece as “Entechno” and more mainstream Greek popular music. He also explored Cretan folk music, reinterpreting traditional songs and other regional classics.
Throughout his career, he worked with some of the biggest names in Greek music, earning a dedicated following. His final studio album, Mi Mou Gkremizeis to Oneiro (Don’t Shatter My Dream), was released in early 2009 in collaboration with Pantelis Thalassinos.
Lidakis’ death marks the loss of a significant figure in Greek music, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy.
