19 Facts About Sotiria Bellou

Sotiria Bellou was a Greek singer and performer of the rebetiko style of music.

Sotiria Bellou was one of the most famous rebetisa of all, mentioned in many music guides, and a contributor to the 1984 British Documentary entitled Music of the Outsiders.

Sotiria Bellou was born in Halia on the island of Euboia.

Sotiria Bellou was the oldest of five siblings of a wealthy family.

Sotiria Bellou's grandfather Sotiris Papasotiriou, after whom she was named and who was particularly fond of her, was an Orthodox priest at Shimatari.

Sotiria Bellou began singing at the age of three, and was making her own guitars out of wire and wood and playing them.

Sotiria Bellou introduced her to Tsitsanis, who instantly became fond of her powerful and melodic voice, and with whom she recorded the first of her many 78 rpm gramophone records.

Sotiria Bellou sang in the best music clubs of Athens such as the Rosiniol, Tzimis o Hontros, Hydra, Triana, Falirikon and many more.

Sotiria Bellou was heard on many recordings, and helped usher in a new era for rebetiko.

Sotiria Bellou was a political activist who joined the Greek Resistance against the Axis occupation of Greece during World War II.

Sotiria Bellou was caught by the Nazis, tortured and then put into prison.

Sotiria Bellou's father arranged her marriage despite her objections because he thought that her husband could tame her.

Sotiria Bellou was sentenced to three years and three months imprisonment.

Sotiria Bellou spent three months in prison at Chalkida before the trial and one month at the Averof prison in Athens.

Sotiria Bellou appealed and her sentence was reduced to six months.

Sotiria Bellou was treated in a psychiatric clinic on at least one occasion.

Sotiria Bellou's grandfather was a priest, and she herself was a devout Christian.

Sotiria Bellou died in Athens on August 27,1997, and she was buried according to her request in the First Cemetery of Athens next to Vassilis Tsitsanis.

Sotiria Bellou's talent has attracted many celebrities and she had many famous fans.