Greek folk singer Lakis Chalkias dies at 82

Lakis Chalkias, born Mihalis Chalkiopoulos on 30 August 1943 in Ioannina, died on 2 August 2026 at the age of 82. A fourth‑generation member of the renowned Chalkias musical dynasty and son of celebrated clarinetist Tasos Chalkias, he began singing at seven and became a professional musician by sixteen, mastering guitar, bouzouki, laouto, tsoura and oud.

Over a six‑decade career he recorded with Columbia, worked with leading Greek artists such as Sotiria Bellou, Stelios Kazantzidis, Grigoris Bithikotsis, Giorgos Zampetas, and rebetiko legends like Markos Vamvakaris and Vasilis Tsitsanis. His collaborations with composer Giannis Markopoulos produced iconic works including “Stratis Thalassinos”, “Thiteia”, “Metanastes” and “Thessalikos Kyklos”. He also performed abroad, notably in the United States and Canada, and appeared on American TV with actor Anthony Quinn.

Chalkias was a vocal advocate for the Greek working class, running as a Communist Party candidate in 2007. His family announced his death with sorrow, noting that funeral details will be released soon.