Stelios Kazantzidis life Part IV

The “Regime of the Colonels” alternatively the “military junta” ruled in Greece for seven years since 1967. In those cruel times Stelios Kazantzidis dreamed of his own discographic company. The name of his new company was “STANDARD”. He ordered equipment for his new factory in Kiato and he chose Zinonos street (near “Omonoia Square”) for his office.

According to his popularity, success was guaranteed…

Unfortunately, Stelios Kazantzidis did not count the factor “censorship”. We shouldn’t forget that Kazantzidis father was a communist (so was Stelios) and he also had an argument (as referred in an older post) with his last discographic company. All the songs destinated for him, were censored.

Stelios Kazantzidis, the singer of the lower social classes, could not sing silly songs just for amusement. As a result he was obligated to shut down his company.

Makis Matsas the owner of Minos discographic company (previously “ODEON”) offered to buy “STANDARD” equipment and proposed to Stelios Kazantzidis a new contract. The reluctant Stelios - after some recordings for “PHILIPS”- finally agreed.

From 1970 to 1974 he recorded a lot of successful songs for Minos but the album titled “Iparho” (in greek “I exist”) in 1975, was one of his very best. It is worth mentioning that the day of “Iparho” presentation on TV, Athens seemed deserted as everyone waited Stelios Kazantzidis live show.

His decision of giving up discography followed that great success. Till 1987 Stelios Kazantzidis didn’t record any new albums.

Listen to the following video, the introduction of “Iparho” album and also the homonymous song.