A phone call, three o’clock on a Saturday afternoon, from Heraklion. “I’ll leave it,” I say to myself, “I’ll call back this afternoon.”
Another call, within five minutes. Ah, something’s happened.
I answer. “Have you heard?” he asks me. His tone worries me.
- No, what’s happened?
- Christos has gone.
- NO!
I had it in the back of my mind, but I thought we were doing somewhat better. Yet this battle is usually an unequal one.
He fought for a few months, but he fought as hard as he could. In the end, we lost!
Christos Liatis, one of the most remarkable figures in Heraklion, Crete’s rebetiko scene. A wonderful enthusiast, with a genuine playing style, an impeccable character, and a dear friend for 35 years!
“Don’t be upset, Giorgis. I’m here, standing, battling it, but, honestly, I’m not afraid either. I’ve lived my life by now.” In mid-July. Two months ago.
I have so many moments to remember, so many gatherings, so many sweet smiles. I’m lucky that we spent time together, that we loved each other as good friends. When I was 18 and learning rebetiko, Christos was playing. He taught us too, along with Elias. Then Giorgis (and he left us early too…), and Rena later on. I left Heraklion; Christos stayed there, playing with many musicians from the city’s scene. In recent years, he played more regularly with Mitsos on guitar. There isn’t a single person in Heraklion who loved or loves rebetiko and hasn’t been to see Christos.
May he be followed by everyone’s exclamations whenever they enjoyed a little taksim or a great instrumental phrase:
“Good on you, Christos!”