Iconic Greek Performer, Songwriter Dionysis Savvopoulos, 81, Dies

Prominent and long-time Greek performer and songwriter Dionysis Savvopoulos passed away on Tuesday evening at the age of 81, after being hospitalized in Athens over the past few days.

Media reports stated that he had battled against cancer since 2021.

Known endearingly as “Nionios” to generations of fans, his music was indelibly linked with the late 1960s and 1970s in Greece, amid the turbulent political situation in the east Mediterranean country at the time.

Savvopoulos was born in Thessaloniki on Dec. 2, 1944.

Savvopoulos began his musical journey in 1964 and was politically active throughout his career. During the military junta (1967-74), he was imprisoned twice for his political beliefs, in August and September 1967.

He wrote songs with political, romantic, and satirical content. In 1986-1987, he presented a television program entitled “Long Live Greek Song.”