Genitsaris Mihalis

Michalis Genitsaris was born in 1917 in Aghia Sofia, Piraeus. He learned to play the bouzouki and the baglamas at a very young age, while he wrote a great number of songs.
His first song was a great success. In 1935 he started to play the bouzouki and sing professionally. His songs have been performed by many great folk singers, such as Kazantzidis, Bithikotsis, Gavalas, Grey, Pagioumtzis, Dionysiou, Vitali, Alexiou, Dalaras, Glykeria, Mitsias, and others.
Great rebetika singer Michalis Genitsaris has passed away at the age of 88, suffering from a lung infection. His funeral was held on Friday in Piraeus, and the funeral Mass was sung at 16:00 in the Church of Aghia Sofia, Piraeus. Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis has expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. "Michalis Genitsaris genuinely served rebetika music all his life. His death is a great loss for Greek folk music, which as lost a genuine artist," said Mr Karamanlis.