IN MEMORIAM MIMIS PLESSAS: GREECE LOSES ANOTHER GREAT COMPOSER (UPDATES)

Today Greece has lost another of its great modern diatonic composers. Mimis Plessas, musician, composer, conductor, and pianist, passed away today on October 5, 2024, at the age of 99, just one week shy of his 100th birthday. Born in Athens on October 12, 1924, Plessas was a multifaceted artist who left an indelible mark on Greek music. Plessas began his career in 1952 and went on to write music for over a hundred films, television shows, and radio programs. He was a master of combining traditional Greek music styles, such as entechno and laïkó, with jazz and other intercultural influences. His iconic composition, “O Dromos” (The Street), released in 1969, remains the best-selling work in Greek discography. 

Oct. 5, 2024 Playlist includes Yiannis Poulopoulos' O Dromos (Γιάννης Πουλόπουλος - Γέλαγε η Μαρία). 

Plessas received numerous accolades for his contributions. In June 2024 he was awarded the Order of Honor as an Officer Commander by the President of the Republic, alongside Yannis Markopoulos and Lefteris Papadopoulos. 

His honors include the Gold Cross of the Order of the Phoenix in 2001, recognizing his contributions to Greek music and his enduring popularity.

Mimis Plessas’ passing has sent shockwaves throughout Greece, with tributes pouring in from fellow musicians, artists, and fans. His music, which has been a staple of Greek culture for decades, will continue to inspire future generations.

Mimis Plessas’ iconic composition ‘O Dromos’ (1969) had a profound impact on the development of modern Greek popular music.

Its success can be attributed to Plessas’ innovative blend of traditional Greek music (entechno and laïkó) with modern elements, creating a distinctive style.

Here are some of my personal favorites. A television interview with Plessas and Yannis Kotsiras on the eve of their concert titled "Plus and Minus" in which Plessas laid a bridge with what was in 2002 the next generation. It so happens Kotsiras himself is completing his 55th birthday today. 

Oct. 2, 2016 Ξεχασμένα Διαμάντια: Μίμης Πλέσσας & Γιάννης Κότσιρας στο "Συν και πλην"- 26/11/2002 (Mimis Plessas and Yannis Kotsiras in "Plus and Minus" - 26/11/2002). 

It would not be surprising at all if Plessas found chords no one has ever even heard of. Some sound almost too impossible to even exist. And I say this as a daughter of a musician. Jazz is closely related to the Greek tradition of microtonality.

Another typical thing of Plessas' compositions is, that he is hardly using any refrains. No one seems to have noticed that peculiarity in Plesssas' compositions until his wife drew attention to the fact in a recent music program.

I may be missing something, but the DVD mentioned by Plessas in the interview I have not been able to trace in the discography. 

Here they are again together in a performance on a later date in Oct. 10, 2008 at a music festival in Thessaloniki. Plessas himself is not in this footage (except for his hands on the piano), but his wife. Loukila Carrer Plessas is seen in the audience. 

Oct. 10, 2008 Gismogl: Το άγαλμα - ΓιάννηςΚότσιρας (To agalma, The statue, Yannis Kotsiras). Lyrics. 

Update: Look what I just peeled off Yannis' Facebook page (yes, that exists), recorded on the same occasion.

If you don't want to use the Facebook link, catch it here.

For those with access to the Skai Greece (live) 

(perhaps use a VPN), the channel is repeating tonight 

at 21.00 LT an instalment of Stin Ygeia Sou, 

that was a tribute to Mimis Plessas. 

The YouTube algorithm did not turn up this particular program on Sky, but there are two other tributes on different dates. One is listed on Loukila Carrer Plessas' own YT channel. 

Jan. 6, 2018 Loukila Carrier Plessas: Αφιέρωμα στον Μίμη Πλέσσα - Στην Υγεια μας ρε παιδια -28 Απριλιου 2018  (Stin  Ygeia Mas April 28, 2018). Another Stin Ygeia Mas tribute to Plessas on Jan. 26, 2019.

Update:

On the day of Plessas' departure, Kotsiras was performing in an olive grove on the island of Naxos  Here a video report by Naxos Times. At the 5:37 mark he tells an anecdote how he met with Plessas, discussing the lyrics of Πρώτη φορά (Proti Fora -The First Time) (lyrics). 

He tells him to go to the writer of the lyrics, Lefteris Papadopoulos to tell him the male version, because apparently it was written for a female singer.

He tells Yannis to change the sentence, Ο πυρετός σου μέσα μου, φωτιά που σπαρταράει (Your fever within me, a fire that quivers) into Ο πυρετός μου μέσα σου, φωτιά που σπαρταράει (My fever within you, a fire that quivers). Of course Yannis did not make the change 😂

Oct. 7, 2024 Naxos Times: Ο Γιάννης Κότσιρας σε μια μαγική "βραδιά κάτω από την ελιά" στη Νάξο. (Yannis Kotsiras in a magic afternoon under the olive trees). 

Update:
"Spiti Me To Mega" (link) has a tribute to Mimis Plessas on Oct. 12 at 22:50. Watch it here.  

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