Agathonas Iakovidis was a beloved Greek rebetiko musician known for his deep respect for traditional Greek music and his role in keeping the rebetiko genre alive and vibrant. Born in 1955 in Evangelismos, Thessaloniki, Iakovidis started playing music at a young age and quickly became known for his skill on the bouzouki, baglama, and mandolin, as well as his distinctive singing voice. Over the decades, he released numerous albums and earned recognition as one of the genre’s most dedicated performers.
Agathonas gained wider international attention in 2013 when he teamed up with the band Koza Mostra to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest with the high-energy song "Alcohol Is Free," which blended rebetiko with Balkan ska-punk. Their performance earned a strong showing and brought his music to a new generation of fans. Until his passing in 2020, Agathonas Iakovidis remained a passionate advocate for Greek musical tradition, influencing countless musicians and listeners with his authenticity and love for rebetiko.
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