ATHENS – Yiannis Vogiatzis, a beloved figure in the music industry during the 1960s, known for his remarkable talents in theater, cinema, and radio, sadly departed on May 15 at the age of 89.
Born on December 20, 1934, in Athens, Vogiatzis embarked on his singing career at the Zozef Korinthiou talent evenings. His extraordinary talent earned him the prestigious first prize twice at the Thessaloniki Song Festival. In 1963, he won with the soulful song “A Bird Flew” by Kostas Klavvas and Alexis Alexopoulos, followed by another victory in 1970 with the heartfelt song “My Brothers Vagabond Birds” by Tolis Voskopoulos and Ilias Lymberopoulos.
Not only renowned for his musical prowess, Vogiatzis was an avid supporter of Panathinaikos and had the honor of performing the team’s anthem.
From 1958 to 1962, he served as the official singer of the palaces. In 1970, Vogiatzis underwent a polyp operation, which led him to take a break from singing for three years. However, he returned to the stage in 1978, delighting audiences once again with his captivating voice.
Yiannis Vogiatzis leaves behind a rich legacy, remembered as a versatile artist who left an indelible mark on the Greek music scene and brought joy to countless fans throughout his illustrious career.
Vogiatzis collaborated with renowned creators of popular “light” songs, including Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hatzidakis, Mimis Plessas, Giorgos Mouzakis, Giorgos Theodosiadis, Kostas Kapnisis, and others. His repertoire included memorable hits such as “A Starry Sky” (Enas Ouranos me Asteria), “Our First Night” (I Proti Mas Nichta), “I Told You Once” (Sou to’pa mia), “I Love You in All Languages” (S’agapo se Oles tis Glosses), “Summer Night” (Nichta Kalokairiou), “I Want to Stay Close to You” (Thelo Konta Sou Na Meino), and more. It is worth noting that he was first cousins with actor Giannis Vogiatzis.
The late Vogiatzis showcased his singing talent in numerous films of the 1960s. He also made a name for himself as an actor, starring in notable productions such as “Rantevou ston aera” (1966) and appearing in TV series like “Eisai to tairi mou!” (2001) and “In the Nick of Time” (2005).
