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About Kostas Hatzis
Early Life
Kostas Hatzis was born on August 13, 1936, in Livadeia, Boeotia, to a Romani family. His grandfather was a popular clarinetist and dulcimer player, and Hatzis quickly followed in his family's musical footsteps. At sixteen, his father began taking him to perform at weddings, christenings, and other events where folk music was requested, an apprenticeship that shaped his early musical grounding.
Musical Style & Sound
Hatzis is a Greco-Romani singer-songwriter considered one of the leading composers and pioneers of the Greek social song. He popularized the "voice-guitar" style, using ballads to carry social messages, a raspy, soulful delivery that became a hallmark of the Greek New Wave movement.
Career Rise
After five years touring the Greek countryside, Hatzis moved to Athens in 1957 and began recording in 1961, gaining wide popularity in the mid-1960s alongside the Greek New Wave. His songs "Thalassa Platia" and "To Mouragio sto Limani" established him with the broader Greek public. His talent drew the attention of the era's leading composers, including Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hadjidakis, Mimis Plessas, Stavros Xarchakos, and Yannis Markopoulos, all of whom he went on to collaborate with, performing their songs while bringing his own distinctive style and sensibility to each. He has also recorded duets with major singers, including Marinella.
Diaspora Impact
At the end of the 1960s, Hatzis toured the United States performing concerts for expatriate Greeks, and his reputation as a voice for peace eventually reached the White House, where President Jimmy Carter invited him to a meeting in recognition of his work, one of the few Greek artists honored in this way by a sitting U.S. president. That international profile, combined with decades of diaspora touring, has made him a lasting symbol of peace and moral conscience for Greek communities abroad.
FAQ
What genre does Kostas Hatzis perform?
Kostas Hatzis is a Greco-Romani singer-songwriter considered one of the leading composers and pioneers of the Greek social song, popularizing the "voice-guitar" style.
How did Kostas Hatzis become famous?
After moving to Athens in 1957, he began recording in 1961, gaining wide popularity in the mid-1960s alongside the Greek New Wave with songs including "Thalassa Platia" and "To Mouragio sto Limani."
Who has Kostas Hatzis collaborated with?
He's collaborated with leading composers including Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hadjidakis, Mimis Plessas, Stavros Xarchakos, and Yannis Markopoulos, as well as recording duets with major singers including Marinella.
Did Kostas Hatzis meet a U.S. president?
Yes. His reputation as a voice for peace reached the White House, where President Jimmy Carter invited him to a meeting in recognition of his work, one of the few Greek artists honored this way.
Did Kostas Hatzis perform for the Greek diaspora?
Yes. At the end of the 1960s, he toured the United States performing concerts for expatriate Greeks.
Where can I listen to Kostas Hatzis?
You can stream his music on GetGreece Radio, along with other founding voices of the Greek New Wave.
About
Kostas Hatzis is a Greco-Romani singer-songwriter who revolutionized Greek music by introducing the "voice and guitar" style to address social injustice and peace. Discovered by Hadjidakis and Theodorakis, his raspy, soulful delivery became a hallmark of the Greek New Wave. In early 2026, he performed a series of sold-out "Retrospective" concerts at the historic Apanemia boîte. By 2026, he is celebrated as a moral and musical pioneer who gave a voice to the marginalized through poetic, acoustic storytelling.
Diaspora Impact
An icon of peace for the diaspora; his visit to the White House and global tours established him as the leading Greek voice for human rights and unity.
