Elli Kokkinou

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Elli Kokkinou
_el. Έλλη Κοκκίνου


Img_capt = Elli Kokkinou in 2005
Background = solo_singer
Born = birth date and age|1970|7|24
Athens, Greece
Died =
Origin = Athens, Greece
Genre = Modern Laika, Pop, dance
Years_active =
Label = Sony Music (1996-2002),
Heaven Music (2003-2006),
Sony BMG (2007-Present)
URL = http://www.ellikokkinou.eu

Elli Kokkinou ( _el. Έλλη Κοκκίνου) (Born July 24, 1970) is a Greek singer who was born in Athens, Greece. cite web | title = Biography by Sony BMG Greece | url = http://www.sonybmg.gr/page/artist/artists_greek.asp?lang=en&art_id=27 Sony BMG Greece. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon] She is one of the most popular singers in Greece today. She has performed together with Greek music stars such as Anna Vissi, Glykeria, Paschalis Terzis, Sakis Rouvas, Tolis Voskopoulos, Natassa Theodoridou, Giorgos Tsalikis and Kalomoira.

Career

Early life and beginnings

Elli grew up in a family with a love of music. From a young age, Elli showed interest in music, and was also part of the Dance group at her school. cite web | title = Biography by MAD TV | url = http://www.mad.tv/artists/?id=27&m=bio MAD.tv. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon] Her father encouraged her to listen to music, mostly Jazz, while her mother encouraged her to listen to more modern music, such as disco. At age 5, she started ballet, while at home she sang and danced for her parents at night. She soon began courses for classic guitar at the "Attiko Conservatory", and after that, acoustic and electric guitar lessons for another three years. Elli was also very interested in sports, and for six years before she finished school, she was on a Water Ski team. On the team, she won third place in a Pan-Hellenic championship as well as many gold medals. When she finished school, Elli made her first band called "Anonimi" (Anonymous). At the same time, she completed examinations and was accepted to the school "Vakalo" where she studied graphic, free and architectural drawing and history of art.

Elli first professionally dealt with music in 1990 with the request of the famous Kostas Tournas. cite web | title = Biography by Sony BMG Greece | url = http://www.sonybmg.gr/page/artist/artists_greek.asp?lang=en&art_id=27 Sony BMG Greece. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon] After that, Elli collaborated with many big names at the clubs such as Antonis Vardis, Tolis Voskopoulos, Anna Vissi, Pashalis Terzis, Glykeria, Eleni Dimou and more. At the same time, Elli also recorded backing vocals for a number of albums. cite web | title = Biography by MAD TV | url = http://www.mad.tv/artists/?id=27&m=bio MAD.tv. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon]

In 1992, Elli moved to Los Angeles, California where she studied voice and piano at the "Musicians Institute of Technology" for two years until 1994. cite web | title = Biography by Sony BMG Greece | url = http://www.sonybmg.gr/page/artist/artists_greek.asp?lang=en&art_id=27 Sony BMG Greece. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon] In the United States, she got the chance to be taught by strong names in the music industry such as Carl Schroeder (Pianist for Sarah Voaghn) and Scott Henderson. In 1994, she graduated and returned to Greece. cite web | title = Biography by Official Fan Club | url = http://clubs.pathfinder.gr/kokkinou/168521 Pathfinder.gr. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon]

1996-2002: "Kapia Mera", "Epikindyna Paihnidia" and "Andriki Kolonia"

In 1996, Elli singed a contract with Sony Music Greece and in 1998 she released her first CD single titled "Kapia Mera" (Some Day). The music was by Antonis Vardis with lyrics by Manou Tsilimidis and Gioula Gerorgiou. cite web | title = Biography by Official Fan Club | url = http://clubs.pathfinder.gr/kokkinou/168521 Pathfinder.gr. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon]

In 1999, Elli released her debut album titled "Epikindyna Paihnidia" (Dangerous Games). The song "Pao Pao" became a big hit from the album. In 2000, she released her sophomore album titled "Andriki Kolonia" (Male Cologne).

2002-2004: "Sto Kokkino" and "Sto Kokkino Platinum Edition"

In 2002, she signed with Heaven Music, and the next year started collaborating with popular song writer Phivos. cite web | title = Biography by Official Site | url = http://www.ellikokkinou.eu ElliKokkinou.eu. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon] In May 2003 she released the album "Sto Kokkino" (In red) which was one of the most successful releases in Greece for that year, reaching a double-platinum status. The album reached 1x Platinum within 2 months and was also a great success in neighboring Turkey. Elli Kokkinou performed with Giorgos Mazonakis in the song "To Gucci Ton Masai" which made it into the Greek top ten. Following the success of "Sto Kokkino", Sony Music released a best of album titled "Paradinomai". cite web | title = Biography by MAD TV | url = http://www.mad.tv/artists/?id=27&m=bio MAD.tv. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon]

Following the platinum status, "Sto Kokkino" was released as "Sto Kokkino Platinum Edition" in 2004 with four bonus songs and a DVD including a duet with Giorgos Tsalikis. The four new songs became instant hits, while the re-released pushed the certification up to 2x platinum. On April 14, 2005, Elli won the international award for "Best New International Artist" by the "Union of Journalists of Turkey" (MGD), as her songs from "Sto Kokkino" were big hits in Turkey. cite web | title = Biography by Official Fan Club | url = http://clubs.pathfinder.gr/kokkinou/168521 Pathfinder.gr. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon]

2005-2006: "SEX" and "Ki' Allo Platinum Edition"

Following a string of concerts in the United States and Australia with Christos Dantis, Elli returned in the summer of 2005 and began recording songs for her next studio album with Phivos. On November 10, 2005, Elli released her fourth studio album titled "SEX" which was certified Gold the same day of its release. The album shortly reached platinum status, and was repackaged and released on November 13, 2006 as "Ki' Allo Platinum Edition" (More). "Ki' Allo" featured 4 new songs and a bonus DVD, including a duet with Thanos Petrelis and the French version of "SEX" as performed at the "MAD Music Video Awards" in 2006. For the winter season of 2006-2007, Elli performed with Thanos Petrelis at club "Apollon". cite web | title = Biography by Official Site | url = http://www.ellikokkinou.eu ElliKokkinou.eu. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon]

2007-Present: "Eilikrina"

On April 1, 2007, Elli announced on her official website that she had left Heaven Music and Phivos stating she would like more creative input as one of her reasons. [ cite web | title = Τέλος από Heaven η Έλλη | url = http://www.mad.tv/news/?id=24744 MAD.tv. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon] She also stated that Heaven Music had offered her to resign, which she decided not to do. Following a couple months without a label, Elli announced in July 2007, that she has signed with her original label Sony BMG Greece. [ cite web | title = Η Έλλη Κοκκίνου στη SONY-BMG | url = http://www.mad.tv/news/?id=26042 MAD.tv. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon]

In September 2007, she started appearances with Nikos Kourkoulis and Natassa Theodoridou at club "Votanikos". [ cite web | title = Στις 27 Σεπτέμβρη έναρξη στον Βοτανικό | url = http://www.loveradio.gr/showbiz/index.php?year=2007&month=9&id=899#ndt "Love Radio Broadcasting". Retrieved on April 1, 2008 Gr icon] cite web | title = Biography by Official Site | url = http://www.ellikokkinou.eu ElliKokkinou.eu. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon] In November 2007, she released her fifth studio album titled "Eilikrina" (Honestly). [ cite web | title = Ειλικρινά -- Ανανεωμένη, μελωδική, κεφάτη, εκφραστική... αυτή είναι η νέα Έλλη Κοκκίνου!! | url = http://www.sonybmg.gr/page/news/news_artists.asp?id=29 Sony BMG Greece. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon] The album peaked at number 2 on the Greek IFPI charts, while her lead single "Lypamai Eilikrina" peaked at number 2 on the Nielsen's Greece Radio Airplay Chart. The album quickly certified gold. [ cite web | title = Χρυσή απονομή στην Έλλη Κοκκίνου | url = http://www.sonybmg.gr/page/news/news_artists.asp?id=80 Sony BMG Greece. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon] Due to her pregnancy, she stopped singing at "Votanikos" club on January 5, 2008 and Sarbel replaced her. [ cite web | title = O Sarbel με Νατάσα, Κουρκούλη | url = http://www.mad.tv/news/?id=27964 MAD.tv. Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon] [ cite web | title = Who's performing where? | url = http://www.lgr.co.uk/music/news/12146/whos-performing-where/ London Greek Radio. Retrieved on March 23, 2008]

In September 2008, Kokkinou will head back to the studio to record her next album which is planned for release in Winter 2008. [cite web|url=http://music.net.cy/mousika_nea/august2008/22-8/elli_kokkinou.htm|title=Διακοπές για την Έλλη Κοκκίνου...|date=2008-08-22|publisher="Music.net.cy"|accessdate=2008-08-22]

Personal life

In the 1990s, Elli had a relationship with Dionisis Schinas. Later, in 2000 she began dating her business manager, Panagiotis Vasiliadi, and in September 2007 the two were married. She became a step-mother to his three children from a previous marriage. In December 2007, she revealed (after media pressure) that she was pregnant with her first child and in June 2008, Kokkinou gave birth to her baby boy. [ cite web | title = Η μαμά Έλλη Κοκκίνου | url = http://www.mad.tv/news/?id=28367 "MAD TV". Retrieved on February 20, 2008 Gr icon] [ cite web | title = Γέννησε πρόσφατα η Έλλη Κοκκίνου...| url = http://www.music.net.cy/mousika_nea/june2008/6-6/elli_kokkinou.htm "Music.net.cy", June 6 2008. Retrieved on June 6, 2008 Gr icon]

Discography

Albums

*1999: "Epikindyna Paihnidia"
*2000: "Andriki Kolonia"
*2003: "Sto Kokkino"
*2003: "Paradinomai" (Best of)
*2004: "Sto Kokkino Platinum Edition"
*2005: "SEX"
*2006: "Ki Allo Platinum Edition"
*2007: "Eilikrina"
*2008: "Upcoming Studio album"

CD singles

*1998: "Kapoia Mera"

DVDs

*2004: "Sto Kokkino - Karaoke"

External links

* [http://www.ellikokkinou.eu Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/ellikokkinou Official Myspace]
* [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elli-Kokkinou/17136006770?ref=ts Official Facebook]
* [http://www.ellikokkinou.dom.gr Elli Kokkinou Fans]
* [http://www.musiccorner.gr/biografies/kokkinoy.html Biography (in Greek)]
* [http://www.ellikokkinou.imeem.com Imeem Profile]
* [http://www.sonybmg.gr/page/artist/artists_greek.asp?art_id=27 Sony BMG Profile]

References