The singer Rena Koumioti, one of the most important representatives of the new wave, died at the age of 81. The news was announced through a post on her official Facebook account.

“Rena Koumiotis is no longer with us. He “gone” today at dawn, Monday, April 3, 2023, after two months of a personal battle with life. But the great performer will always live among us with her songs. Those of us who had the greatest honor, to experience her up close, got to know her ethos, soul, modesty and dignity. A great lady is “gone” but she will always be here. The hands of the clock don’t stop like this…”, the post states.

Rena Koumioti was born in Nea Ionia, Attica, to a father Smyrnios and a mother Konstantinoupolitissa. He was orphaned by his mother early and the family moved to Drapetsona and Kokkinia, where he grew up. Her crystal voice and her performances established her in the 60s and 70s with indelible hits in Greek and New Wave music. He entered the discography with the songs “Stop the hands of the clock”, “Light up my new moon” by Mimi Plessas, “Sea clover” by Linos Kokotos, “‘Agia Kyriaki” by Kostas Virvos and Mimi Plessa on their album ” Sea Picrothalassa”. From 1969 to 1974 her presence in the discography was stormy.

In 1974 she found work in Canada where she met and married her second husband. Returning to Greece in 1983, her presence both in the discography and in live performances was selective, mainly in summer concerts but also in music scenes.

Rena Koumioti started working in 1968 at “Apanemia” together with Manolis Mitsias, who had just come down from Thessaloniki. A few days later, Lefteris Papadopoulos suggested that she sing with Yiannis Poulopoulos on the album “The Road” that they were preparing together with Mimi Plessas.

The first song he performed was “Give me your mouth”, known as “Swallow”. And “First time” followed. From “Apanemia” he suddenly finds himself working with Yannis Poulopoulos, Stratos Dionysiou and Lefteris Mytilineos in “Kan-Kan”. In the same year at the theater “REX” in the theater “Dromos”.

And then at “Deilina” for three seasons, from October 1970 to 1972. There were also Grigoris Bithikotsis, Stamatis Kokotas, Christakis and Giorgos Zampetas. In 1972, he collaborated with Giorgos Dalaras at the Bournelis Theater. After “Twilight” he went to “Fantasia”. Again with Poulopoulos in Plaka, then again at “Kan-Kan” with Dionysiou and Zambeta.

Informed of the loss of Rena Koumiotis, the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni made the following statement: “Among the wealth of good singers in Greek music, Rena Koumioti stood out from her first appearance, with performances that had a distinct character, intensity, power, emotion, melodiousness and imposingness together. Participating in “Dromos” by Mimi Plessas, one of the most emblematic records of the Greek discography, from her first steps she connected her path with his songs and with her appearances in Greek cinema films. Within a few years, she collaborated with great composers and singers and left her unique mark on the boait era, before deciding to leave Greece to devote herself to her family. But she proved that even with long breaks in her performances, her presence was always strong and her songs loved by the audience. Her unforgettable performances will continue to remind us of her important presence in Greek music. My sincere condolences to her family and friends».

The Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports Nikolas Giatromanolakis made the following statement: “I consider absence to be more important than having nothing to say. I did five things, let’s not make them dust», said Rena Koumiotis in one of her rare interviews and this is how she proceeded: Through her work and her voice. A great voice, charismatic and recognisable, an impeccable professional who kept the joy and enthusiasm of the amateur for the song, a performer who collaborated with Elytis, Loizos, Plessa, Papadopoulos and so many more in great and emblematic recording works that marked an era. Heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones».