Giannis Papaioannou (1913-1972) was a renowned Greek composer, lyricist and singer of popular rebetiko music. He was one of the main and most significant representatives of this genre.
Papaioannou's professional debut came in 1937 alongside Markos Vamvakaris and Stelios Keromytis. His first recorded song, "Faliriotissa," achieved immense popularity, establishing him as a rising star in the rebetiko scene. Many other songs followed, including "Kapetan Antreas Zepos", "Pente Ellines ston Adi", "Anoixe, anoixe", "Modistroula", "Glenta ti zoi", "Vadizo kai paramilo", "Prin to charama", "Pos tha perasei i vradia", "Svise to fos na koimithoume" and more.
Papaioannou's compositions are characterized by a unique blend of kantada, ballos, and Anatolian influences. He is credited with introducing "primo secondo" (two-part harmony) to rebetiko recordings, a groundbreaking innovation that enriched the genre's soundscape.
In 1953, Yiannis Papaioannou became the first Greek rebetiko composer to travel to the United States to perform for the Greek diaspora. After his return, he remained a permanent collaborator of Vasilis Tsitsanis.
