Greek lyricist Evi Droutsa has paid tribute to singer Giorgos Mazonakis following his death, describing him as a kind and approachable artist who remained grounded throughout his career.
Speaking to Greek news website Newsbeast, Droutsa said the news of the singer's passing was entirely unexpected and had left everyone stunned. She recalled her personal bond with Mazonakis, which developed through shared musical work and private moments over many years.
Droutsa stated that Mazonakis had been going through difficult times and had been deeply upset in recent months. She explained that he loved his family very much and was greatly distressed by recent events. While noting that she had no specific inside knowledge, she expressed her belief that prolonged emotional hardship eventually causes a person to break down.
The sudden news of his death caught her completely off guard, Droutsa said, adding that he would be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
Memories of a grounded artist
Reflecting on his character, Droutsa emphasized that Mazonakis was a genuinely good person who never harmed anyone and was always accessible to people. She noted that he never acted with arrogance or held his head high above others despite his professional success.
She remembered how Mazonakis would approach her whenever he saw her in public, often joining her table to eat and warmly asking how she was doing. Droutsa described his behavior as polite, friendly, and consistently respectful toward everyone around him.
Their connection extended back to an earlier period in Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece and a major cultural center in the north of the country. Droutsa recalled visiting backstage dressing rooms with mutual friends, where they shared joyful and energetic moments together during performance runs.
She noted that during that era in the Greek music industry, professional work frequently intersected with personal friendships and informal backstage gatherings.
A major voice in Greek music
Mazonakis enjoyed a major career in Greek popular music, establishing himself as one of the country's prominent performers in contemporary laiko, a popular music genre rooted in traditional urban Greek songs. Over a career spanning several decades, he released numerous hit records and headlined major nightlife venues in Athens and Thessaloniki.
Droutsa is herself one of the most prolific lyricists in contemporary Greek music, having penned lyrics for scores of hit songs performed by leading Greek artists since the 1990s. Newsbeast, the Athens-based online portal that conducted the interview, is a widely read digital news service covering national news, politics, and culture in Greece.
For Droutsa, the singer's humble nature and respectful demeanor remain his defining qualities. She concluded that his warmth and kindness toward the people close to him are what she will remember most.
