Tzimis Panousis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tzimis Panousis
Τζίμης Πανούσης |
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Tzimis Panousis, 2009
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Dimitrios Panousis |
| Born | 12 February 1954 Athens, Greece |
| Died | 13 January 2018 (aged 63) Athens |
| Genres | Comedy rock, rock |
| Occupation(s) | radio presenter, standup comedian, book writer |
| Years active | 1980–2018 |
| Labels | Opera, Music Box International, Warner Music Greece, EMI-Columbia, MINOS-EMI, Afilokerdos A.E. |
| Associated acts | Musical Brigades |
Tzimis Panousis (Greek: Δημήτρης "Τζίμης" Πανούσης; 12 February 1954 – 13 January 2018) was a Greek musician, stand-up comedian and occasional film and theater actor born in Athens, where he spent most of his life. He is often seen as the modern-day Aristophanes. His fans usually refer to him as “Tzimakos” (little Jim). His first wife was Lili Achladioti with whom he had a son, Aris. He later married Athina Aidini and they had a daughter, Fotini.
Early biography
Dimitrios Panousis was born on 12 February 1954 in Athens to refugees from Asia Minor, Theodoros and Foteini, and grew up in Cholargos. He made his first appearance in the mid-1970s, performing in various pubs, with his band "Mousikes Taxiarhies" (Musical Brigades, Greek: Μουσικές Ταξιαρχίες). Panousis was the vocalist and main composer of the group. Their first (unofficial) album was Disco Tsoutsouni (Disco Willy) released in 1980. It was a bootleg tape, many songs of which were later rerecorded for the band's official debut, their eponymous album in 1982. The band went under the alias "Alamana's Bridge" to make a guest appearance with two songs in the compilation album Made in Greece. In 1986, Mousikes Taxiarhies was disbanded and Panousis went solo. His subsequent successful career showed that he could be a band on his own.
Artistic style
Since his debut, Panousis had introduced a controversial style of rock music with humorous and sarcastic lyrics. His songs included caustic remarks on the political and social reality of Greece. His varied musical style included mostly rock, but also reggae and rembetiko. In his live performances, Panousis delivered sarcastic comments about current events and Greek musicians and personalities. He often interacted with his audience, in a unique type of stand-up comedy, and was also notorious for his on-stage phone pranks.
Discography
- 1980: Disco Tsoutsouni
- 1982: Mousikes Taxiarhies
- 1984: An I Giagia Mou Ihe Rouleman
- 1985: Hard Core (Live)
- 1986: Kaggela Pantou (First solo album after Mousikes Taxiarhies)
- 1987: Himia Ke Terata
- 1990: Doulies Tou Kefaliou (Live)
- 1992: O Roben Ton Hazon (Live)
- 1993: Vivere Pericolosamente
- 2000: Me Lene Popi (Live)
- 2002: Digma Dorean
- 2003: Dourios Ihos
- 2009: Tis Patridas Mou I Simea (Live)
- 2013: Obi-Obi-Bi
- 2013: Prosehos Voulgares
- 2014: Mastura ambient
- 2015: I katyusha tou KKE / Igiini Diastrofi
Other activities
Panousis had hosted various radio shows for more than 15 years. He was also the author of six books (a peculiar type of sarcastic essays). Moreover, he had appeared in four movies: the most notable is The Dracula of Exarcheia (1981, directed by Nicos Zervos), where Panousis was the protagonist. From September 2008 to June 2009, he hosted a 30-minute radio show, called Dourios Ihos (Trojan Sound) at the radio station "City 99,5". The show was later hosted in "Radio Thema 98,9".
Death
Panousis died on 13 January 2018 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Athens. He had previously been hospitalized after collapsing on stage in December 2017.
