Greek fashion designer Lakis Gavalas has spoken about his close friendship with the late singer Giorgos Mazonakis, describing how the artist visited him while he was serving time in prison and recalling his deep grief upon hearing of the musician's death.
Speaking on the morning television show Protos kafes me ti Zina on Tuesday, September 29, Gavalas offered an intimate account of their relationship. He described how the singer paid him visits between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., performing songs for him in the quiet early hours away from public scrutiny.
Gavalas is a prominent figure in the Greek fashion industry, widely recognized for his high-end retail ventures, distinctive personal style, and regular appearances on Greek television. He was imprisoned in the early 2010s following major financial and tax disputes connected to his business empire, a period that drew extensive public attention across Greece.
Mazonakis was one of Greece's most popular contemporary vocalists, celebrated for his distinctive voice, dynamic stage presence, and contributions to modern laiko and pop music over a career spanning several decades. His recordings and nightclub performances earned him a devoted audience throughout the Greek-speaking world.
Early morning visits behind bars
During his television appearance, Gavalas explained that the visiting hours provided a rare glimpse into Mazonakis's character, far removed from his glamorous public image. He noted that their meetings regularly took place between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., a time when the singer felt free to be entirely himself.
Gavalas recalled that during those pre-dawn hours, Mazonakis spent time with people he truly wanted to understand his genuine personality. The singer would perform tracks by legendary past artists as well as songs by contemporary musicians who were enjoying success at the time.
The designer added that Mazonakis frequently chose to sing lesser known tracks that had not achieved commercial success. He explained that Mazonakis sang those particular pieces because he felt it was a shame that they had never become major hits.
Connection through family songs
Gavalas placed particular emphasis on the specific selection of songs Mazonakis performed during their prison meetings, noting how deeply they connected to his own family background. He explained that many of the tracks were songs that his own parents used to listen to, which made the experience intensely personal.
The designer stated that the singer touched his soul during those quiet moments, creating a channel of communication that brought him closer to his late parents, whom he loved deeply and who loved him in return.
Greek laiko music, a genre deeply rooted in urban folk culture and emotional expression, often relies on shared memories, nostalgia, and familial bonds. Performers in the genre frequently pay homage to older classics during intimate gatherings, reinforcing traditional connections between music and family identity.
Initial surprise at the prison gate
Gavalas recounted the moment he was first informed that Mazonakis intended to visit him in prison, admitting that the announcement took him completely by surprise. He recalled feeling astonished when the prison director approached him to say that the famous singer had requested a visit.
The designer confessed that he hesitated at first because he did not want to excite or agitate the other inmates. However, he was thoroughly charmed by the gesture, viewing it as a continuation of the sensitivity and emotional depth he had always known Mazonakis to possess.
Addressing the public, Gavalas appealed to fans and admirers of the late singer to remember him for his artistic contribution and inner character rather than focusing on peripheral controversies. He asked those who genuinely love Mazonakis to seek out his depth rather than speculating on who was to blame or what occurred.
Gavalas emphasized that what the public will truly miss is the profound depth of Mazonakis as a person, alongside his historic legacy and lifelong service to music.
Receiving news of the singer's death
The designer went on to describe the moment he learned that Mazonakis had passed away, revealing that he was confined to his home at the time due to a medical procedure. He had recently undergone surgery for bunions on his feet and was under strict instruction to rest without moving.
While recovering at home, Gavalas received a phone call from a friend who told him that Mazonakis had left. Gavalas explained that he initially misunderstood the wording, believing his friend meant that the singer had traveled abroad to Australia or another distant location.
When his friend clarified that Mazonakis had passed away, Gavalas struggled to process the reality of the situation. Known for his friend's sense of humor, Gavalas briefly wondered if Mazonakis was pulling a comic stunt to promote a new song, as he refused to believe the singer was gone.
Five days of grief at home
Once Gavalas realized that the report was true, he remained at home overwhelmed by intense grief. He reflected that, fortunately for him, his enforced immobility meant he had no choice but to stay home, suffer through the physical pain in his feet, and grieve the tragic loss.
The designer revealed that he cried continuously for four to five days after learning of the death. He admitted that he felt lost during that period, unsure of how to properly praise his friend or say his final goodbyes.
The show Protos kafes me ti Zina, hosted by prominent television journalist Zina Koutselini, is a long-running morning broadcast on Greek television that regularly features emotional interviews, lifestyle reporting, and discussions with well-known cultural figures.
Tribute to surviving family members
Closing his discussion on the program, Gavalas expressed deep sorrow for the family members left behind, with particular praise for Mazonakis's mother, Vaso. Gavalas noted that he had spent time with Vaso in the past and had seen firsthand the exceptionally close bond she shared with her son.
Describing Mazonakis as a truly unique individual, Gavalas spoke of the painful aftermath left behind when someone who was so deeply loved by his family is taken away, questioning why such a cherished life had to be cut short.
