Manolis Chiotis

Manolis Chiotis (Greek Μανώλης Χιώτης, born March 21, 1920 in Thessaloniki, † March 21, 1970 ) was a Greek composer, bouzouki virtuoso and singer.

Chiotis began to learn the classical guitar first in his youth. Mid- thirties, he was sent to Athens for a violin studies. Shortly after his arrival in Athens, he began to be interested in the bouzouki. He is regarded as one of the most important representatives of rebetiko. He was the most popular during his lifetime, bouzouki and worked as a soloist with more than 600 recordings of Markos Vamvakaris up to Mikis Theodorakis. His first song he took in 1936 at the age of 16 years. It was followed by 1970 about 250 pieces. To this end, he worked in several Greek films. He also gained recognition in the United States, primarily through the appreciation of his skills by Jimi Hendrix. President Johnson invited him to play at his birthday celebration.

Chiotis made ​​in the 60s, the bouzouki with four double strings around us - one to date under the traditional bouzouki lovers very controversial innovation.