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Panagiotis "Notis" Sfakianakis (Greek: Νότης Σφακιανάκης; born 2 November 1959) is a Greek singer of laïko music, who is one of the most commercially successful artists of all time in Greece and Cyprus. Sfakianakis began his career in 1985, opening at nightclubs for other artists. He was discovered by Sony Greece and released his debut album ''Proti Fora'' (1991). For his second album ''Eisai Ena Pistoli'' (1992), he moved to Minos EMI.〔 While his first three releases were commercially successful, beginning in the mid-1990s, Sfakianakis released a series of multi-platinum albums that are among the best selling albums of all time in Greece — including ''Notioanatolitika Tou Kosmou'' (1994) with 120–150 thousand copies sold,〔 ''5o Vima'' (1996) which has been recognized as the best selling album of all time in Greece with 200 thousand copies sold,〔 ''I Notes Einai 7psyhes'' with 132.5 thousand copies (265 thousand units) sold,〔 the EPs ''Pro-Dia-Fimin'' (1997) with 100 thousand copies sold,〔 and ''Around the World'' with 15 thousand copies shipped,〔 ''XXX Enthimion'' (1999), which is the best selling live album of all time in Greece in terms of unit sales with 180 thousand copies (360 thousand units) sold,〔 ''Polihroma Kai Entona'' (2000) that shipped 100 thousand copies and ''As Milisoun Ta Tragoudia'' (2002) which fared similarly.〔 His signature song "O Aetos" is one of the most popular songs in Greek music history.〔 Sfakianakis was the best selling artist of the 1990s and stands as the best selling Greek artist of his generation.〔 However, in the 2000s he faced a significant commercial decline.〔 ''Me Agapi O,ti Kaneis'' (2004) and ''Ana...Genisis'' (2005) shipped 40 thousand copies each.〔 ''Nihtes... Magikes'' (2007) and ''Mnimes'' (2008) sold 30 thousand copies each,〔 while the EP ''Kinonia Ora 07:00'' sold 15 thousand copies.〔 He then embarked on the ''Matomeno Dakry'' album trilogy (2009–2011). He has sold over 5 million records in Greece alone and in addition to these he has sold over 900 thousand copies of his albums as newspaper covermounts.〔 Sfakianakis is also known for his controversial image and outspoken manner and opinions. ==Early life and career== Notis Sfakianakis and his family moved to the island of Kos when he was seven. Notis became a disc jockey in his early 20s. He supported himself by working as an electrician, plumber, waiter, and labourer. In 1985 he formed a band and played in clubs in Kos. Due to the lack of success, the band broke apart after less than year of being formed. In 1986 Notis moved back to Crete to start his solo singing career. Notis began opening for national acts like Poly Panou. He was discovered by Bourmas, the general manager of Sony in Greece. Bourmas signed Sfakianakis to the label, and Notis recorded his debut album ''Proti Fora'' (First Time) which made it into the Greek top ten. He is one of the most successful singers of his era in Greece. Of his early works, his most notable release was "Opa Opa" which was written by Giorgos Alkaios and later covered by Despina Vandi and Antique in a more pop oriented manner. In 1994 he released the album ''Notioanatolika Tou Kosmou'' (Southeast of the World), which included "O Aetos" (The Eagle). This acclaimed single was the catalyst that propelled him to domestic superstardom and remains his signature song until today. He followed this with high profile tracks such as "Den Se Hreiazome" (I Don't Need You), "Soma Mou" (My Body), "Gyftissa Mera" (Gypsy Day), "Na Hareis" (Cherish) and "Oi Skies" (Shadows). One of the more popular of his 21st century tracks is "Genethlia" (or "Gennethleia" as it was spelled when it featured on later albums and compilations). This song (the title of which translates as 'Birthday') was originally performed by Cretan lyra player and singer Stelios Mpikakis. In November 2007, Sfakianakis released a new album, ''Mnimes'' (Memories). The songs which have become hits are "Ta Klemmena" (The Stolen), a grim reflection on the hardships faced by Greeks in Asia Minor, and "Par' Ta" (Take Them). In late 2009 and early 2010, after more than two years break, Sfakianakis released ''Kinonikon'', the first part in a proposed trilogy of seven song discs called ''Matomeno Dakry''. The most popular songs from ''Kinonikon'' are "Den Ypohoro", "Akou file" and "Mpogias". The second part, ''Erotikon'' was released in early 2010 and includes several successful songs, in particular "Kleinw tis kourtines", "Esti Ine O Erotas" and "Akouse Me Kala". The third part, ''Horeutikon'', focusing on upbeat dance songs which released in December 2010. The most popular songs are "Ellinas" and "Den Yparxeis". 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Notis Sfakianakis」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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