The well-known and beloved songwriter Lavrentis Machairitsas died of a heart attack in the early hours of Monday. The artist took a vacation for the last few days at his home in Pteleos, Magnesia and in the early hours of the morning he was transported to the Hospital of Volos.
His last concert was with Nikos Portokaloglou at the Municipal Theater of Volos, while for Friday, September 13, the concert was scheduled at the Paralimni Amphitheater.
Who was it
Machairitsas was born on November 5, 1956 in Nea Ionia, Volos. From a very young age he came in contact with music.
At the age of 9 he buys his first album, the Beattles Help. In three years he discovers the Revolver, again of the Beattles. His first job is in the warehouse of the record company Minos Matsas and Son, but the inconsistency in the company's schedule is the reason why he is fired (incidentally his personal albums are released by MINOS-EMI). The school stopped him a long time ago, because he was not doing well in school, but also because he had a fight with one of his teachers, as a result of which he was expelled from all high schools! Dozens of jobs follow, such as bartender, valet, cafe waiter and many more. He serves in the army for 14 months as a protector (and another 5-6 months in prison).
As soon as he was fired from the army, he started singing guerrilla songs with Panos Tzavelas in the company. The era of guerrilla warfare is over, but it is a beginning. He has reached the age of 20 and the idea of PLJ is born. The beginning is made by him and Pavlos Kikrilis. He in turn brings Takis Vasalakis and the band is ready! With the addition of Antonis Mitzelos to the guitar, PLJ start for France with the aim of an international career. This will not happen in the end, but in 1982 ARMAGEDDON is released by Polygram, with producer Giannis Doulamis, with whom all the records of the band are made. ARMAGEDDON is based on the Old Testament and the synthetic idea is based on the Apocalypse of John. Lavrentis likes to deal with religious issues, while he has also taken lessons in religious music and chanting at the Petraki Monastery. At that time, however, the rock promoted by the band did not have such an impact. It is strange that when ARMAGEDDON is recently released on CD, it is considered one of the best Greek rock records. The disappointment makes the band turn to Greek lyrics, and so in 1983 the band's 2nd album was released. Then the band is renamed Termites (there is a song with this title on the 2nd album), a name reminiscent of Beattles (beetles). The 3rd album is the one that makes everyone interested in Termites, in 1984. With the title SINNING MARIA and with George Dalaras participating in the songs BEARS and DUST, the album sells thousands of copies followed by appearances, concerts and more. In September of '86 the fourth album is released, entitled CEMENT TRAINS, by Virgin. Contains songs such as HARD MUSIC, and NEITHER YOU KNOW ME, I DON'T KNOW YOU. Sofia Bossou and Fleri Dantonaki participate in this album. Giannis Bach-Spyropoulos is on the piano, while Filippos Spyropoulos is on the drums. The last studio album of the Termites is WAITING FOR THE RAIN, which was released in 1988 with songs such as HOW MUCH I WANT YOU, TAKE ME FROM 'DO' and more. With the album CEMENT CONCERT, live recorded from an amazing concert in Lycabettus where many artists participate, such as George Dalaras, Sofia Bossou, Antonis Bardis (with whom Lavrentis sings SYLIOT closes the circle of Termites.
In 1989, he began his personal career as a composer and performer. First album O MAGAPAS KAI I SAGAPO by MINOS-EMI, with lyrics by Michalis Marmatakis who also wrote lyrics for the Termites. Two years later, in 1991, DIDYMOTEICHO BLUES was released, which became a gold record. George Dalaras participates in the song of the same name. The lyrics of: Giannis Bach-Spyropoulou, Aphrodite Manou, Giannis Proestaki, Savva Paschalidi and Harry Kafetzopoulos. Then in 1993 released RIXE KOKKINO NIGHT. Ten pieces, eight in music by Lavrentis, with lyrics by Lina Dimopoulou, Michalis Ghana, Elena Zervou, Costa Karystinou, Akou Daskalopoulos. Eleftheria Arvanitaki participates in ASIA MINOR and Vassilis Papakonstantinou in SEE WHAT I HAVE FOR YOU AFTER. Lavrentis has already started joint artistic appearances with Dionysis Tsaknis, which are recorded on the album THE NIGHT WILL SAY IT, in a live recording from the concert in Lycabettus on September 6, 1993 and from the appearances on February 25 and 26, 1994 in ME . Lavrentis and Dionysis are now an inseparable duo (they also became best men) in each of their live appearances. In 1995 the album (now CD) WINDOWS THAT THE VIEW TIRED released. One of Lavrentis' best albums, which, however, will not have similar commercial success. Vangelis Konitopoulos and Elisavet Karatsoli participate. Then, in less than 2 years, PAFSILYPON is released in 1996. An album-station that was loved very much, presenting very big sales. The music is always by Lavrentis (ABSENCE is written by Miltos Paschalidis) and the lyrics by Isaac Sousis, George Economeas and Lina Dimopoulou. The lyrics to the song of the same name were written by Nikos Tsaknis, Dionysis' brother. Pyx Lax participates in A TURKISH IN PARIS, Babis Stokas (singer of Pyx Lax) in NOTO, as well as Dimitris Mitropanos in YELLOW NIGHTS. After more than two and a half years of record absence (he participates only in records of other artists during this period) Lavrentis returns in June 1999 with his new CD, THIS IS HOW I ESCAPE FROM THE GROUPS. The music in 8 of the 11 songs is by Lavrentis, with a song by Lucio Battisti (one of his favorite artists), one by Vasco Rossi and one by Dimitris Vassalakis (by the Termites). Dionysis Savvopoulos participates in this album, in the song KAI TI ZITAO. The sequel is just as important. Lavrentis writes music for the movie "One and One" and after writing the music for many songs on the double CD of G. Dalaras, he releases his next personal album entitled "The break lasts two lives". An important moment of the album is the collaboration with Angelo Branduardi. Lavrentis' next record, the single with the music of the movie "Efapax" where Giannis Kotsiras sings (for whom he also wrote the music for the CD Xylino Alogaki).