A deep silence fell” today over Greek music. Mimis Plessas, the great musician, the prolific composer, the revered teacher, and conductor, passed away early this morning, just a few days before his 100th birthday, leaving behind hundreds of ‘gem’ songs that are indelibly etched in the minds and hearts of every Greek.
He was the one who, together with Lefteris Papadopoulos, created in 1969 the best-selling Greek album of all time, the legendary Dromos with its timeless songs, uniquely performed by Yiannis Poulopoulos and Rena Koumioti: To Agalma, Methyse Apopse to Koritsi Mou, Ximeronei Kyriaki, Gelage i Maria… Beautiful melodies and magical lyrics that, even decades after their creation, continue to move, evoke vivid images, and stir emotions.
However, it wasn’t just Poulopoulos whose career soared with Plessas’ songs, but also many other singers, including Marinella, Jenny Vanou, Tolis Voskopoulos, Stratos Dionysiou, and Nana Mouskouri.
For decades, anything Mimis Plessas touched turned to gold. This was no coincidence, as he was a rare melodist whose incredible musical knowledge worked wonders every time he sat at his piano. His musical imagination was boundless, and his skill immense, which is why he never hesitated to express himself across all musical genres, from jazz and light music to artful Greek popular music and grand musical forms.
He was still a young child when he first sat at the piano. His small fingers barely touched the keys, but their power was evident even then, so much so that by the age of just 15, he was already playing in the light music orchestra of Greek Radio.
During his student years, notes competed with numbers and symbols, and music won resoundingly. His studies in mathematics, physics, and chemistry were merely a stepping stone to his true calling: music. Living in America during the 1950s gave him the opportunity to immerse himself in jazz through its greatest exponents.
After returning to Greece, his first musical period focused primarily on light music with pieces like Poios to Kseri, Asteri, Asteraki, Poso Ligo M’ Agapouses, among others.
However, his encounter with Giannis Dalianidis opened a new, golden chapter in his career—the world of Greek cinema and musicals. The music and songs of Mimis Plessas would be performed by the biggest stars of the silver screen and become huge hits. One thing is certain: without Plessas’ music, Greek cinema would be incomplete.
Over the course of his career, he left his precious signature on 104 films and 70 theatrical performances. He collaborated with the biggest names in Greek music, discovered and supported young artists at the start of their careers, composed large-scale works, conducted renowned orchestras, won countless awards, and accumulated numerous gold and platinum records.
Continuously creative, he never stopped composing and organizing concerts until the final years of his life—a life rich in experiences, marked by his unparalleled talent, unrelenting enthusiasm, hard work, and the kindness and love he generously gave to all those around him.
And so, ‘yesterday, past midnight…’ he took his final bow and set off on the ‘Dromos’ that leads to eternity.
