Γιάννης Σπάθας & Socrates Drank The Conium | Ωδείο Ηρώδου Αττικού

Three years have passed since the death of the great musician and guitarist Γιάννη Σπάθα, and founding member of the legendary band Socrates Drank the Conium. The great musician comes back to life on stage in a unique concert – tribute, which will take place on Κυριακή 4 Σεπτεμβρίου, at Ωδείο Ηρώδου Αττικού. Taking part will be Βασίλης Λέκκας and Νίκος Σπάθας.  

A great guitarist

Γιάννης Σπάθας wasn't just a guitar virtuoso, he was a composer ahead of his time. Born in Παξούς in 1950, and raised in Πειραιά, he taught himself to play guitar, listening to Jimi Hendrix. In the 1970s, together with Αντώνη Τουρκογιώργη he formed the band Socrates Drank the Conium, with whom they released 7 records. Among them songs like «Starvation»  and «Mountains», which left their mark on domestic musical creation.

The tracks combine in their distinctive sound the intense style of progressive rock and rock 'n' roll with the character of traditional Epirus music and influences from clarinetist Τάσο Χαλκιά.

Their record Phos (1976), in collaboration with Βαγγέλη Παπαθανασίου and recorded at Orange Studios in London, was the top-selling Greek rock album of the 1970s, selling more than 200,000 copies. From 1989 until 2007 he composed 3 albums with vocalist Βασίλη Λέκκα. After the breakup of Socrates, Γιάννης Σπάθας collaborated as arranger, guitarist and composer with the greats Μίκη Θεοδωράκη and Μάνο Χατζιδάκι, as well as with Γιάννη Μαρκόπουλο, Ελένη Καραΐνδρου, Μαρία Φαραντούρη, Χαρούλα Αλεξίου, Τάνια Τσανακλίδου, Αδελφούς Κατσιμίχα, Ελένη Βιτάλη, Αλκίνοο Ιωαννίδη, Μανώλη Λιδάκη and others.

Worldwide recognition

Γιάννης Σπάθας was Greece's greatest electric six-string maestro. It's no coincidence that the iconic rocker of Motorhead, Lemmy Kilmister, but also so many other of the world's most important guitarists, bowed to his talent. The leaders of the prog rock movement, the British band Yes, asked him to play in their band, while he was offered contracts from international record labels, such as Virgin, Warner etc. As Κώστας Χρονόπουλος noted in August 2019 in the magazine Metal & Heavy Metal Hammer, "[Γιάννη Σπάθα's] sound acquired the thunderbolt of rock 'n' roll, but also the sense of freedom that the wind gives you, when it finds you perched on an unconquered mountain peak of Epirus."

The concert concerns the compositional work of Γιάννη Σπάθα

It focuses on the two most characteristic milestones of his career. On one hand, the founding and shaping of the sound of Socrates Drank the Conium. On the other hand, the later imprint of his discography with Βασίλη Λέκκα, the only singer with whom Γιάννης Σπάθας recorded 3 complete records, after the group's breakup, but also during their reunion.

Part A

In the first part, Βασίλης Λέκκας accompanied by a seven-piece orchestra, will present excerpts from his three recording collaborations with Γιάννη Σπάθα. The Σύντομα Όνειρα (1989) and Κλασσικά Εικονογραφημένα (1992) with lyrics by Ευγένιου Αρανίτση, and Σπινθήρα (2007) with lyrics by Λίνας Νικολακοπούλου, as well as previously unreleased material.

Βασίλης Λέκκας, vocals

Νίκος Σπάθας, electric/acoustic guitar

Γιώργος Σαλτάρης, keyboards

Σπήλιος Ζευκιλής, electric/acoustic guitar

Φοίβος Μπόζας, wind instruments

Δέσποινα Σπανού, cello

Λεωνίδας Φιλίντας, bass

Γρηγόρης Συντρίδης, drums

Part B

In the second part, Νίκος Σπάθας, with a rock band that will also feature members of the last lineup of Socrates, will revive the legendary atmosphere of the band's live shows, faithfully performing compositions and songs from their historic albums.

Νίκος Σπάθας, guitar

Μιχάλης Απαρτόγλου, vocals/bass

Μιχάλης Καπηλίδης, drums

Αστέριος Παπασταματάκης, keyboards

Μαρκέλλα Παναγιώτου, vocals

Μπάμπης Τυρόπουλος, electric guitar

The show will be opened by members of the contemporary dance group "Dagipoli Dance Co", dancing to Γιάννη Σπάθα's instrumental piece titled «A Blue Day». Part of the concert's proceeds will go to support the work of the Πανελλήνιου Συλλόγου Παραπληγικών.

Information

A production by Theama Production (Facebook, Instagram)

Sunday, September 4, 2022, 21:00

Ωδείο Ηρώδου Αττικού

Tickets

Κάτω Διάζωμα

VIP Zone: 60 €

Zone A: 55 €

Zone B: 50 €

Zone Γ: 40 €

Άνω Διάζωμα

Zone Δ: 30 €

Zone Ε: 25 €

Zone ΣΤ: 20 €

Zone Ζ: 15 € (limited visibility)

Presale

Ticket Services

– – Box office: Πανεπιστημίου 39, Athens

– – By phone: 2107234567

– – Online: www.ticketservices.gr

https://www.ticketservices.gr/event/standing-proud-forever-afieroma-giannis-spathas/?lang=el

Tickets will also be sold two hours before the show at the box office of Ωδείο Ηρώδου Αττικού.