His death is a loss for Greek art Mimi Plessawho breathed his last shortly before turning 100.

Informed of the sad event, the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni made the following statement:

“Mimis Plessas, who left us today, just a few days before his 100th birthday, was a multidimensional musician: composer, conductor, pianist. His contribution to Greek music and song, which unfolded over many decades, was truly rare, if not unique, in scope and impact. The songs he signed are not only timeless, but are still among the most popular of audiences of all ages.

Mimis Plessas put music to the most beloved musicals of Greek cinema, as well as many theatrical performances. He collaborated with the most iconic lyricists and performers of his time. He conducted some of the largest orchestras and excelled as a soloist. He served music through radio and television. He highlighted and supported most young artists. He made a decisive contribution to the introduction of jazz in our country and the familiarization of the domestic audience with it. He succeeded, quite rightly, in winning both the official recognition of his contribution, with many honors and awards, as well as the undying love of the public.

All of these are individual and indicative mosaics of the impressive, in depth and extent, imprint left by Mimis Plessas in music. However, we owe him something more. It showed how heavy the light song is after all. “The Road”, the record he created in collaboration with Lefteris Papadopoulos, Yiannis Poulopoulos, Popi Asteriadis and Rena Koumiotis and was to become the most commercial of all time, is a prime example of how mass appeal can, if not must, to keep up with the quality. With his discography, he sealed the establishment of light song as an equal genre of our music.

To his wife Loukila, their daughter Eleanna, his composer son Antonis, his many friends and colleagues, I offer my sincere condolences.

“Mimis Plessas travels to the Pantheon of Greek Culture. A great composer, an inspiring musician, a melodious person is no longer with us. In the seven decades of his creation, Mimis Plessas offered Greek music, theater, cinema, and television as few as possible with his melodies, his compositions, and his aesthetics for art in general. The legacy he leaves in Greece is indelible and great. This great teacher will continue to accompany us from the Pantheon of Greek Culture” said K. MalamaMember of Parliament and Head of Culture of SYRIZA PS.

“Pioneer, multi-awarded, well-written. This was Mimis Plessas in three words, who is no longer with us. The pain for the loss of the great Greek composer is profound, but the gratitude for the immortal masterpieces he bequeathed to us is also profound” said the president of the Hellenic Solution Kyriakos Velopoulos.

The former prime minister expresses his heartfelt condolences for the death of Mimi Plessas in a written statement, Antonis Samaras. In particular, it states: “The loss of Mimi Plessas causes deep sadness. A unique composer, a profoundly spiritual person, shaped the cultural life of our country. His melodies were, are, and will be an integral part of our lives. Heartfelt condolences to his family.”