ZoeKouroukliVangelisCharityIntroduction

Zoitsa 'Zoe' Kouroukli was a Greek singer that became successful in Greece in the 1960s. She is not to be confused with her cousin Zoitsa Laskari, a famous Greek actress and former Miss Greece who’s real name is also Zoitsa Kouroukli, but in order to avoid confusion with her cousin she changed to Laskari when she became successful as an actress.

Zoitsa already started singing as a child and at the age of 11 years she was discovered by Mimi Plessas and recorded her first songs for a 7” single. Her breakthrough came in the early 1960s when a pop music scene developed in Greece, and she participated in many song festivals and contests throughout Europa, winning the first prize several times.

In Greece Zoe Kouroukli performed her songs with several bands, including “The Stormies” (one of the early bands of drummer Lucas Sideras) and “The Minis” (again with Lucas Sideras, and also Demis Roussos on bass guitar). In 1966 ”The Minis” was a short lived group created by Nikos Mastorakis that released a couple of 7” singles, such as 'Darlin' / 'Yepee Ya Ya Song' which includes Zoe's vocals. There is some confusion about whether Vangelis also participated in “The Minis” on the single 'And I Love Her' / 'Girl', but I believe this band existed before Vangelis and Demis met.

In 1966 Zoe worked with Vangelis to record 'Oldies But Goodies', the music composed by Vangelis on behalf of "Rally Antika 1966", a public event in Athens where a number of oldtimer cars are driven around by people dressed in early 20th century fashion. The event, organised by Nikos Mastorakis for the newspaper Mesimvrini was also filmed, and Vangelis’ music with Zoe's song used as a score. The 7” single that was released with the music and song marks the first recording of Vangelis “and his orchestra” that includes Lucas Sideras and Demis Roussos, who would later form the group "Aphrodite's Child"

A year later, in 1967, Vangelis and Zoe recorded two more songs, 'Ciao, Amore Ciao' and 'Non Pensare A Me' which are covers of songs performed at the 17th Festival of San Remo.

After a succesful career in the 1960s, Zoe Kouroukli stopped singing after getting married at the age of 25. In the 1990s she made a successful comeback with the help of Mimi Plessas and performing again in venues all over Greece. Zoitsa Kouroukli passed away on the 1st of May 2018 after a short fight with cancer.

 

ZoeKouroukliVangelisTracklist and credits

  • 'Oldies But Goodies' / 'Oldies But Goodies (instrumental)' / 'One Day In Zappion'
    Songs composed and arranged by Vangelis Papathanassiou.
    Lyrics by Nikos Mastorakis.
  • 'Ciao, Amore Ciao'
    Written by Liugi Tenco.
    Performed by Vangelis Papathanassiou and his Orchestra.

  • 'Non Pensare A Me'
    Written by Alberto Testa and Eros Sciorilli.
    Performed by Vangelis Papathanassiou and his Orchestra.

 CiaoAmoreCiaoLabelDiscography

7" single

These vinyl singles are quite rare and difficult to find.

CD

These songs have also been included on several Greek compilation CD’s:

'Oldies But Goodies'

NonPensareAMeLabel'Oldies But Goodies (instrumental)’ & 'One Day In Zappion’

‘Ciao, Amore Ciao’

‘Non Pensare A Me’

 

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