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Anna Vissi
Anna Vissi (Αννα Βίσση in Greek) is a charismatic singer, and that translates into her music, where her hypnotic and powerful voice make her an instant stand-out.
Anna Vissi was born in Cyprus on December 20, 1957. Her parents are Nestor and Sofia Vissi.
Anna started her musical career at the early age of six, by attending the Cyprus Conservatoire.
At 12 she won the prize at a local song contest. Her mother was soon convinced of Annas Vissi’s talent and moved the entire family to Greece, where she thought better opportunities existed for her musical career.
Anna Vissi started a collaboration with Mikis Theodorakis and Stavros Kougioumtzis which lasted until 1976. Later she worked together with Giorgos Hatzinasios, Doros Georgiadis and Nikos Karvelas, who became her husband in 1983. Besides writing most of her songs, Karvelas penned Greece’s first ever rock opera, Demons, for his wife.
While their professional relationship would last, their marriage would not. After seven years, and the birth of a daughter, Sofia, the pair divorced (1990). To the confusion of fans, Vissi and Karvelas continued to live together for the sake of their musical collaboration.
Anna Vissi’s vocal range allows her to carry ballads, operas, and rock operas. She is known for her emotionally charged concerts and intensity on stage. It is little wonder then, that among her influences are Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin.
By 1997, Anna Vissi took her final step to be cemented as Greece’s top star, having won 3 major awards at the Greek Music Awards, their version of the Grammys. Among her honors were the Best Female Singer award, Best Interpretation, and Biggest Airplay Song on the Radio.
In February 1999, Anna Vissi performed two sold out shows in London at the Forum Music Theatre and The Palladium Theatre. Anna Vissi also drew sold out shows at her first – ever mini tour of the USA, including Los Angeles, Atlantic City, Chicago, Boston and New York City, where she performed at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden.Anna Vissi was preparing her first international project for over a year (Album names was Everything I Am).
Athens celebrated the new year with Anna Vissi, who was invited by the mayor of Athens, Dimitris Avramopoulos to count down with him the entrance of 2001, and to launch the New Year’s party at the Athens Syntagma Square. Anna was the main attraction at the celebrations for Cyprus’ entry in the E.U., performing in front of 80.000 people. She also performed at the Closing Ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
In 2005 Anna records “Call me”, the English translation of her Greek hit “Ise”, and promotes it through “Moda Records” in the United States. The song is an immediate hit which reaches No 1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music Club Play Charts and No 2 on the Billboard Dance Radio Airplay Charts, as well as at the top of other respectable charts in the USA and other countries like Turkey, Israel and Bulgaria.
Anna Vissi & Eurovision Contests
In 1980, Anna took part in the 25th Eurovision Song Contest representing Greece with the song Autostop, finishing 13th with 30 points. Two years later in 1982, she represented her native country Cyprus at the 27th Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Mono i Agapi” (Only Love), which ended 5th with 85 points. Although the song “Mono i Agapi” was written by Anna Vissi herself, many people believe that Nikos Karvelas wrote it.
Greek national broadcaster ERT chose Anna Vissi to represent Greece in Eurovision 2006. There were 4 songs to pick from, which Anna Vissi sang during a song selection show on 14 March 2006. Two of the competing songs, were composed by Nikos Karvelas, namely Everything and Who Cares about Love, with Vissi herself writing the lyrics to Everything. The third song, A Beautiful Night was written by composing group Pegasos, nominated in 2004 by the Country Music Association for the best international artist award. The last song, Welcome To The Party, was written by Greek composer Dimitris Kontopoulos. Everything was selected as the representative song of Greece. It won 47.79% of the votes. Although she had been one of the favorites during the pre-contest period, she only managed to get 9th place with 128 points (hers was one of the two pre-qualified entries to finish in the Top 10 (the other was Romania).
Comments about Anna Vissi
Anna Vissi is Greece’s major singing sensation. She is considered the Greek version of Madonna. No, not the bra wearing, boundary-pushing Madonna, but the “I’ve been in the game long, and I am still successful” Madonna.
Anna Vissi is Greece’s major singing sensation. She is considered the Greek version of Madonna. No, not the bra wearing, boundary-pushing Madonna, but the “I’ve been in the game long, and I am still successful” Madonna.Read more about Anna Vissi: