
Manolis Hiotis
Born
March 21, 1921
Died
March 20, 1970 (48 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Thessaloniki, Greece
Manolis Chiotis (Greek: Μανώλης Χιώτης; March 21, 1921 – March 21, 1970) was a Greek rebetiko and laiko composer, singer, and bouzouki player. He is considered one of the greatest bouzouki soloists of all time. He popularised the four-course bouzouki (tetrachordo) and introduced the guitar-like tuning, which he found better suited to the kind of virtuoso playing he was famous for.
Chiotis had other successes. In the summer of 1961, he played for Aristotle Onassis and Maria Callas, Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly. Journalist Dimitris Liberopoulos, Onassis’ biographer, writes in his book that when the two couples joined one of Chiotis’ shows in Athens, they asked to meet him in person to congratulate him.
Callas told Chiotis that she had been translating the lyrics of his songs to Princess Grace all night long and the American actress loved them because “she is a woman in love.” At that moment, Kelly asked Chiotis what the difference between a bouzouki and an electric guitar is.
Chiotis’ answer was rather unexpected; “Mrs. Callas, please explain to Princess Grace that the strings of an electric guitar vibrate due to electricity, while the strings of a bouzouki vibrate through the heart.
Known For

Ο Καταφερτζής
singer
1964

The Orgies Villa
singer
1964

I stole my wife
singer
1964

My friend, Lefterakis
singer
1963

Someone like It Cold...
singer
1963

Min eidate ton Panai?
singer
1962

The Wise Guy
Singer
1962

Φτωχαδάκια και Λεφτάδες
singer
1961

Laos and Kolonaki
singer
1959

Long live the poor children
Singer
1959