Lambros ‘Babis’ Bakalis was one of the most successful commercial composers of Greek popular music in the last half of the 20th century. In the early years of his career, he was also responsible for some on the songs that have become rebetiko standards.
Bakalis was born in 1920 near Volos in east-central Greece. At age 17, in nearby Trikala, he formed a folk trio that included Apostolos Kaldaras, who went on to become one of the major composers of the 20th century.
In 1943 Bakalis settled in Athens and performed in clubs and taverns. He recorded for the first time in 1947, after he returned to Athens from being exiled for his left-wing views.
One source credits Bakalis with writing more than 1,500 songs, a number that seems high. But he was a prolific composer. The stars of the day, including Giota Lydia and Stelios Kazantzidis, recorded his works during the 1950s. In the early ’60s, he was among the leading composers who adapted Indian film music to Greek songs, while at the same time writing folks and laiko music.
He was also subject to some controversy. He claimed a major hit credited to Vasilis Tsitsanis, A mother sighs, was based on his original work. Bakalis won a 1964 court case and wound up with a 25 per cent credit for that song.
Give me, my God, tears is a fine late rebetiko composition, performed with Thanasis Evgenikos in 1954.
Leave a Reply