George Katsaros

Not to be confused with Giorgos Katsaros.

George T. Katsaros
Birth name	Giorgio Theologitis
Born	20 December 1888 Amorgos, Greece
Died	22 June 1997 (aged 108) Tarpon Springs, Florida, United States
Genres	Rebetiko
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, musician
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1895-1995

Giorgio Theologitis (20 December 1888 - 22 June 1997) professionally George T. Katsaros was a Greek-American rebetiko singer, songwriter and guitarist, who was known for compositions of romantic ballads in the old style. During a career spanning close to 100 years starting from when he was a young child in Greece, he performed in venues ranging from Greek restaurants, to ballrooms, hotels, clubs, and on ships traveling internationally.

Biography

Born in Amorgos, he took the stage name of Katsaros', meaning Curly, because of his curly beard. His mother worked in the royal kitchen of King Constantine I. His father died when he was five, so he started performing at a young age to help support his family. He emigrated to United States in 1913, where one of his first engagements was performing at a New York cabaret, and signed a contract with RCA Records in 1918. He was later contracted to Decca and Columbia Records, although his recording career was said to be less successful than his touring and live performances.

He temporarily retired from large-scale touring in 1958, and primarily performed locally in the Tarpon Springs area in Florida afterwards until he was more widely rediscovered by fans of rebetiko in 1987. In 1988, he toured in his native Greece and made at least one return visit in 1995. He performed until he was at least 107.

For his contributions to music, he was awarded by the Secretary of State. the Florida Folk Heritage Award at the 38th Florida Folk Festival in 1990.

Katsaros died on 22 June 1997 in Tarpon Springs, Florida, where he had resided since 1958, at the age of 108.