The band "The Olympians"
The Olympians were one of the most renowned Greek music bands of the 1970s, leaving their mark on the Greek pop and rock music scene.
The Formation, Peak, and Characteristics of the Band
The formation of the Olympians took place in the late summer of 1965. The band was formed by four members of the Brahms, along with Alkis Kakaliangos, who had previously played with the Vips. The Brahms were a popular band of the time, known for their distinctive energy and large following, while the Vips had more of the character of a musical orchestra rather than a band with a sense of renewal.
Alkis Kakaliangos, impressed by the modern sound of Kouli Kalogianidis on the electric guitar, responded positively to Kalogianidis' suggestion to join the Brahms. The band, which was facing challenges due to its large number of members (8-10 people), was reorganized with four members from the Brahms and Kakaliangos, forming the Olympians.
The Formation, Peak, and Characteristics of the Band
The formation of the Olympians dates back to the late summer of 1965. The band was formed by four members of the Brahms, along with Alkis Kakaliangos, who had previously played with the Vips. The Brahms were a popular band of the time, known for their distinctive energy and large following, while the Vips had more of the character of a musical orchestra rather than a band with a sense of renewal.
The Rise and Characteristics of the Band
The Olympians began performing at the famous "Hawaii" club in Thessaloniki, a venue known for its impressive architecture and large audience. Their energy and groundbreaking style quickly established them as leaders in the Greek music scene of the era.
The Transitional Era and the Band's Uniqueness
The conditions of the time were interesting, with most singers improvising in English, despite not knowing the language. A characteristic singer of the Brahms was humorously nicknamed "Agkarinos" because of his unique way of pronouncing English lyrics.
The addition of Alkis Kakaliangos, with his innovative "organ" created by transforming the piano, brought a modern and more European sound to the Olympians, defining their musical identity.
The Power of the Olympians
The band's lineup, professionalism, and innovative sound—heavily influenced by groups like The Shadows—became the foundation for their success. The Olympians became symbols of a new era in Greek music, blending European musical aesthetics with Greek lyrics and traditional sounds.
A pivotal moment in their career came with their performance at the "Golden Night" concert at the packed Panathenaic Stadium. There, the Olympians stood out from the other bands thanks to their unique musical style, which was strongly influenced by international bands like The Beatles and The Yardbirds.
One of the key features that distinguished them was the clear and smooth voice of their singer, Paschalis, which brought Greek lyrics to life with European rhythms. Their music broke the existing Greek stereotypes, in contrast to other bands like the Forminx, who preferred English lyrics or used Greek with foreign accents. In this way, the Olympians emerged as pioneers of Greek rock, offering a new genre that united the youth of the time.
Their big hits, such as "To Scholio" (The School), "I Sygnomi" (The Apology), and "To Koritsi Tou Mai" (The Girl of May), skyrocketed the band's popularity, establishing them as legends of the Greek music scene.
The Band's Demise and the Path of Its Members
By the end of the 1960s, the Olympians began to lose their founding members as they gradually left for various reasons. In their place, new artists joined, some of whom went on to have significant careers in the Greek music world, such as Nikos Papazoglou, who began his musical journey with the band.
The members who left the Olympians pursued separate musical paths, with the most notable being Paschalis Arvanitidis' solo career. Paschalis continued to thrive as a singer, leaving his mark on contemporary Greek music. Though the band gradually disbanded, their influence and legacy in Greek music remain alive.
Discography of The Olympians
Singles
Ο Τρόπος / Συμπόσιο 1966
Συγγνώμη / One More Time "Shake" 1966
Το Σχολείον / Go Man Go "Shake" 1966
Σιγά - Σιγά / Ελπίδες 1967
Πασχάλης Αρβανιτίδης* Συνοδεύουν Οι The Olympians - Ιστορία / Ο Αλέξης 1967
Η Ανάμνησις / Σε Σκέπτομαι 1967
Πάντα Σ' Αγαπώ / Hopeless Endless Way 1967
Για Ποιαν Αιτία / Μείνε Κοντά Μου 1968
Τώρα Που Έφυγε Ο Αλέξης / Γράψε Στ' Αστέρια Τ' Όνομά Σου 1970
Μεγάλος Δρόμος / Γύρισε Πίσω 1970
Το Κορίτσι Του Μάη (Venus) / Περνούν Τα Χρόνια 1970
Λόλα (Lola) / Ψεύτικη Αλήθεια 1970
Mamy Blue / Ευχές Για Σας 1971
Περήφανοι Όλοι / Ιδέα 1971
Ω! Θεέ / Φίλε μου φίλε 1971
Το Σχολείον / Συγγνώμη
Η Ανάμνησις / Σιγά-Σιγά
Βίκυ Μοσχολιού, The Olympians- O Alitis/Mamy Blue
Ανάμνησις / Ιστορία
Compilations
Olympians* & Πασχάλης - Οι Χρυσές Επιτυχίες 1994
Τα 45άρια Των Olympians (CD, Comp) 1996
Olympians* & Πασχάλης - 40 Χρόνια - 1966-2006 (2xCD, Comp) 2006
Σχόλια