Vasilis Karras (Greek: Βασίλης Καρράς; born Vasilis Kesoglidis, 12 November 1953 – 24 December 2023) was a Greek laïko singer.[1][2]
Early life
Karras was born on 12 November 1953 in Kokkinohori, Kavala, Greece, to Pontian parents. At the age of 10, his family moved to Thessaloniki, where his brother and sister were born.
Career
In the 1970s, Karras gained a reputation on the Greek laiko (folk songs) stage singing throughout Northern Greece, and towards the end of the decade had begun to develop his own repertoire, working with song writers and also creating his own work. His first album Alismonites ores was released in 1980 and around this time he decided to devote his life and career to folk music and sing professionally.[3] Partnerships with Michalis Rakintzis, Zafeiris Melas and Konstantina also furthered his reputation in Greece. In 1996, Karras contacted songwriter Phoebus with the prospect of creating an album based on his songs. The result was the hit album Tilefonise mou which went two time platinum and is Karras' all time best-seller.[4] This album also started a new era for Karras: the introduction of a modern, western upbeat style to his music, which complemented his bouzouki-based folk/dance songs. Karras and Phoebus also partnered for the 1999 album Epistrefo, a perennial mainstay in his club repertoire, with many hit singles.
Latterly he partnered with other mainstays of the Greek music scene such as Tolis Voskopoulos, Christos Dantis, Eirini Merkouri, Konstantina Konstantinou, Kostas Karafotis, Despina Vandi, Pantelis Pantelidis, Paola and others, writing and performing many duets in their respective albums.
Karras performing in 2010.
His last album was released in early 2020, titled Rotas An Se Eho Erotefthi. Throughout his career he emphasized his love for his hometown and wrote and sang many songs about Thessaloniki reminiscing about his childhood and early loves including "Den Pao Pouthena", "Nychta Kselogiastra", "Erhomai" and "Gia Afto Stasou".
Personal life and death
He was married to Christina Kesoglides and together they had a daughter, Irene. Karras, who was battling terminal cancer, contracted COVID-19 and later died from cardiac arrest due to COVID at a Thessaloniki hospital on the Christmas Eve of 2023, at the age of 70.[5][6]
