Vasilis Karras

Vasilis Karras (Βασίλης Καρράς; born Vasilis Kesoglidis, 12 November 1953 – 24 December 2023) was a Greek laïko singer.

Karras was born on 12 November 1953 in Kokkinohori, Kavala, Greece, to Pontian parents.

At the age of 10, his family moved to Thessaloniki.

Also around this time his brother Damian and his sister Anastasia were born.

Growing up in Thessaloniki allowed Karras considerable independence and many of the friendships he created there have lasted well into his life.

In the summer of 1969, Karras made a brief appearance at the club Prosfygas in Evosmos, Thessaloniki.

Even though he was only 16 years old, he became a favourite in the city suburbs due to his distinctive, then raspy voice.

The club owners allowed Karras to sing on many more occasions and audience in his home city took a particular liking to his style.

In the 1970s, Karras cemented his reputation as a young upstart on the Greek laiko (folk songs) stage singing throughout Northern Greece and towards the end of the decade had begun to develop his own repertoire, working with song writers and also creating his own work.

His first album Alismonites ores was released in 1980 and around this time he decided to devote his life and career to folk music and sing professionally.

Partnerships with Michalis Rakintzis, Zafeiris Melas and Konstantina also furthered his reputation in Greece.

His 1987 album Apo ti Thessaloniki me agapi and his 1988 work Mia bradia sti Thessaloniki are examples of the special place the city has in his heart.

He was married to Christina Kesoglides and together they had a daughter, Irene.

Karras, who was battling terminal cancer, contracted COVID-19 and later died from cardiac arrest due to COVID at a Thessaloniki hospital on the Christmas Eve of 2023, at the age of 70.

In 1996, Karras contacted songwriter Phoebus with the prospect of creating an album based on his songs.

Phoebus responded positively and enthusiastically went to work creating songs that fit Karras' unique style and complemented his singing abilities.

The result was the hit album Tilefonise mou which went two time platinum and is Karras' all time best-seller.

This album also started a new era for Karras: the introduction of a modern, western upbeat style to his music, which complemented his bouzouki-based folk/dance songs.

It would become a style that Karras would perfect for many years to come and adopt prominently in his discography from then on.

Karras and Phoebus also partnered for the 1999 album Epistrefo, a perennial mainstay in his club repertoire, with many hit singles.

Around this time, Karras also worked with many young Greek talents in efforts to help their careers.

In particular, after spotting Despina Malea (now known as Despina Vandi), he offered her the chance to sing at his night club for the summer season, thus kick-starting her career.

Karras and Vandi would have the chance to work together later on in 2005 in a few duets from the music of common friend Phoebus.

Apart from continuing his discography, he also continued to sing at nightclubs in Athens and Thessaloniki and also traveled around the globe to centres of the Greek diaspora, including the United States, (Germany), Australia and Canada.

Latterly he partnered with other mainstays of the Greek music scene such as Tolis Voskopoulos, Christos Dantis, Eirini Merkouri, Konstantina Konstantinou, Kostas Karafotis, Despina Vandi, Pantelis Pantelidis, Paola and others, writing and performing many duets in their respective albums.

His last album was released in early 2020, titled Rotas An Se Eho Erotefthi.

Vasilis Karras' widespread appeal and numerous decades on the Greek music scene have cemented his legend as one of the top Greek folk singers ever, but it is his laid back and accessible personality that has endeared him to others throughout the music industry and to the fans through the country and abroad.

Karras was credited as the last singing survivor of the 'Kapsourika' style of songs in Greece, namely love songs about lost loves and reminiscing.

Throughout his career he emphasized his love for his hometown and wrote and sang many songs about Thessaloniki reminiscing about his childhood and early loves including "Den Pao Pouthena", "Nychta Kselogiastra", "Erhomai" and "Gia Afto Stasou".