Famous Greek singer Alekos Kitsakis passed away today, February 2, at the age of 81, while he was hospitalized at the University Hospital of Ioannina, northern Greece. The funeral will take place on Wednesday, February 4, in Ioannina. In 2005, Kitsakis visited the Presidential Mansion to sing Christmas songs to his friend from Epirus and President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias. Upon his return home, he suffered a heart attack and a stroke. Kitsakis was born in Preveza prefecture in 1934 and lost his parents at a young age. He later settled in Athens, where he participated in events organized by the Epirus Federation. He finished school in Corfu and in September 1949 was sent to the Agricultural University of Patras, where he also attended the Patras Conservatory. He used to chant in church, while he performed on the radio as well. Upon his return to Athens, he participated in Greek TV broadcasts and with the help of fellow musician Manolis Kalomoiris, he secured a scholarship at the Athens National Conservatory but he was not able to finish his studies because he was enlisted in the military. Over the years, he recorded some 2,500 songs, while he collaborated with Kaiti Gray, Stelios Kazantzidis, Marinella, Rita Sakellariou, Tzeni Vanou, Periklis Perrakis, Vassilis Soukas, Stathis Kavouras, as well as many other Greek artists.
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