Musician Michael Zambetas Jr-grandson of the well known bouzouki musician George Zambeta

Musician Michael Zambetas Jr-grandson of the well known bouzouki musician George Zambeta

We found and met the musician Michael Zambetas Jr, the grandson of the lord bouzouki George Zambetas. Those who don’t know George Zambetas, was a well-known bouzouki musician. His origins are from the island of Kynthos (Greece).

Giorgos Zambetas, Greek music composer, singer and one of the greatest bouzouki artists was born in Metaxourgio area of Athens, on 25 January 1925. His parents were Mihalis Zambetas, a barber, and Marika Moraiti, the niece of a well-known baritone of those years.

From a very young age, Zambetas showed a great interest in music: as he was helping his father in his barber shop, he secretly played his first melodies on a bouzouki. Anything that was producing sound seemed exciting to him and helped him in his compositions, as he said in his biography not long before he died. In 1932, as a seven year old first grader, he won his first prize, playing his first song in a school competition. At the young age of 13, Giorgos met one of the most famous figures in Greek music, and one of his idols, Vassilis Tsitsanis which played a fundamental role in his musical career.

During the German occupation of Greece, in times of poverty and misery, Zambetas founded his first band in 1942, after having moved to the Egaleo neighborhood of Athens, 2 years prior to that.

He was one of the most recognized Greek musicians of all times, working in the Greek cinema of those years with stars such as Aliki Vouyouklaki. He appeared in many Greek film productions, and his compositions used in many, one of the most famous being “Siko Horepse Sirtaki”. He also worked with famous Greek composers, such as Manos Hadjidakis in 1959, and there after collaborated with various leading Greek musicians such as Theodorakis, Stavros Xarchakos and many others.

Despite the struggles of the past decade, due to changes in music fashion, the 1990s brought about new records and releases by Zambetas. However, not too long after his brief revival, by 1992, he had reached not only the twilight of his career, but his life too. In early 1992, his health deteriorated and was diagnosed with bone cancer, which had already reached advanced stages. Prior to that, he had made one final appearance, before his eventual death. Zambetas died at the age of 67, in the Sotiria Hospital of Athens. He was survived by family in Greece, as well as extended family members throughout the Greek diaspora.

He is recognised as one of the most famous and most significant composers, and musicians that have contributed to the Greek Laïko music genre. His former neighbourhood of Egaleo (where he had spent his late teen years, and early twenties) honoured Zambetas by naming the town square in his name, to commemorate him in September 1990.

So let’s go to George Zambetas’ grandson, Michael. Who is Michael? Let’s explore him below!

Hello Michael Zambeta Jr!! I am very glad to see you! So tell me what do you do? Where do you live? How old are you? tell me more about you.

Hello! Thank you so much for this interview Info Scanner! I’m glad to see you too!
I was born in Athens on November 7, 1989. My mother is Cypriot from Limassol and my father is Greek from Athens, unfortunately my father passed away in 2008 and was his son οf great composer George Zambetas. From 4 I have been living in Cyprus with my mother for many years and every year I was visiting with my father in Athena. I started dealing with the music from 9 years old learning his songs of my grandfather in baglama and bouzouki. When I was done of baglama and bouzouki, at the age of 15 I decided to learn guitar and bass. I started writing songs and lyrics influenced from foreign music such as blues and rock. Also from then I started play live music with guitar in bars.

Do you have any memories of your grandfather lord of bouzouki George Zambeta?

I have no memories of my grandfather as he passed away when I was 2 years old in 1992. I only have a few photos with him. I only know him from my father’s stories.

Will you follow in your grandfather’s steps at all?

I believe that I follow the path of music like my grandfather. I write music and play the guitar in my own way. Certainly there are similarities in playing but now i have no deal with the bouzouki because it was different then.

Which is your favorite song from your grandfather?

My grandfather’s favorite song is “Indeed Lord”(Μάλιστα Κύριε) , is a song that touches me as well and I think it touches us all. I like many more such as “The Wanderer”, “The Night owl” etc.

What will be your next steps?

I don’t know that, all I know is that I will write music for my whole life.

What’s new out released on your music?

I have already released 5 albums which are in internet (youtube,spotify). Some albums are orchestral and some with lyrics. The ones with lyrics are “English Ballads Volume 1” and “English Ballads Volume 2” and the orchestras are “Living Nowhere”, “Michael Zambetas Jr 2020” and “Dreaming Softly ”. I am currently recording “English Ballads Volume 3” at this time.

Where did you inspired your ballads?

My ballads are inspired by mine experiences and emotions. Also in my songs inspired from my ideas, my opinions and how I see the world.

Your favourite ballad?

I don’t have a favourite ballad that stands out from the others but I have the impression that people really like “Daniella” and “Something Different”.

Last question : How do you deal with this whole situation with the measures of the Covid19? Did it affect your professionaly?

I was not very affected by COVID19 professionally, because I managed to record one Another album in Athens called ”Dreaming Softly ”.The only thing that bothered me was that I could not play lives in the bars.

Thank you for your time Michael! Info-Scanner and the CEO of info-scanner.com we wish you the best and finally to see you again live in the bars of Cyprus and Greece!

Thank you for your kind words! I wish the same too!

The Michael Zambetas Jr songs on Spotify here:

Michael Zambeta Jr Youtube Channel:

Follow Michael Zambeta Jr on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/MichaelZambetas

Author(s): info-scanner

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