GREECE'S BIGGEST MUSIC LEGENDS AT AN IMPROMPTU CONCERT - MIMIS PLESSAS AND MARY LINDA

At the Official Residence of the Canadian Ambassador to Greece. Pictured with Ambassador Robert Peck, Businessman Andreas Souvaliotis and Greek Music Legend, Mimi Plessas.

“Over the next 4 hours, I experienced something that will live with me forever… a private, impromptu performance by Mimis Plessas on the piano and Mary Linda belting out classics that even I knew (and many other songs I did not know).”

— GEORGE STROUMBOULIS

November 2014. It was a wet, rainy, chilly night in a posh northern suburb in Athens. I was at Canadian Ambassador, Robert Peck’s official residence for a dinner to honor a Greek-Canadian businessman.

In the small gathering were a few familiar faces and friends I knew over the years that helped me launch my television show in Greece. Most of the faces I did not know. When introductions were being made, I was introduced to an old (90+ years old) man named Mimis Plessas… immediately I thought to myself… “I know of this man”. Then when we went to sit for dinner, I was seated across the table from a woman who was introduced to me as Mary Linda. Again… I thought… “I have heard of this name” but didn’t want to ask and seem rude.

Soon after, I was told (and realized) that they were huge icons in the Greek music world and have had a tremendous career dating back decades to when my parents were in their teens.

CANADIAN AMBASSADOR TO GREECE ROBERT PECK

Robert Peck, Canada’s Ambassador to Greece and Cyprus, is a catalyst for bringing people together. In this small gathering at his residence, there were about 20 people from all walks of life. He had personally called Mimis and Mary to attend this event… and they did.

Impromptu Concert in his Living Room

After a traditional Canadian dinner, the Ambassador took us all to his living room… where a large piano took up the corner real estate of the room. Over the next 4 hours, I experienced something that will live with me forever… a private, impromptu performance by Mimis Plessas on the piano and Mary Linda belting out classics that even I knew (and many other songs I did not know). Everyone gathered around them sipping on cognac by the fireplace, enjoying these musical legends going back and forth, reminiscing between songs, storytelling and even inviting up the guests to sing, perform and just experience this greatness with photos and smiles.

The next day, I was with my family in Athens (15+ people at a relative’s house) and I was telling them what had happened the night before. The first reaction was… “are you making this up?” The second reaction was… “do you have proof?” And the final reaction was… “no way!”

An experience that will last a lifetime, indeed!

A little background on these two iconic Greek music performers:

Mimis Plessas: Born on October 12, 1924, Mimis is a Greek composer born in Athens, Greece. He began his career in 1952 and has since written music for over 100 films, television and radio programs, and theatrical events. He has worked with notable Greek singers and even famous US moguls like Quincy Jones. A piece of his work can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQvMwek9GJc

Mary Linda: Born Maria Dimitrakopoulou on November 9, 1935 in Pyrgos (Elis prefecture). She is best known as the wife of singer, composer and Greek music innovator Manolis Chiotis, whom she also partnered in song, as one of the great musical duets of the 1960s. A piece of her work can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0W7Aqtilh0