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Αττίκ

Attik was a Greek easy listening composer, lyricist, pianist, and actor of the early 20th century. Born 19 March 1885 in Athens, Greece (or in Zagazig, Khedivate of Egypt, Ottoman Empire)- Died 29 August 1944 in Athens, Greece (committing suicide). On 15 August 1930, Attik, in collaboration with [a=Δημήτρης Ευαγγελίδης], [a=Αντώνης Βώττης] & [a=Παντελής Χορν], inaugurated the famous Μάντρα (Paddock), a pioneering project for his time, an artistic troupe of singers and other improvisers and mimes with various and many public appearances and events in Athens. Μάντρα operated until the declaration of the Greco-Italian war in 1940. Attik used to accompany himself on the piano by whistling. But what made him special is that he managed to chirp by whistling two different notes at the same time, creating unique discords. The story behind one of his most famous songs (as remembered by [a=Αλέκος Σακελλάριος]) goes like this: Attik has broken up with Marika Filippidou (his second wife), whom he still deeply loves. One night Marika with her second husband (Spyros Merkouris, the father of [a=Melina Mercouri]) visits Μάντρα and they sit in the first seats. The rest of the spectators recognize her and begin teasing Attik. They even get to the point of rhythmically shouting "Είδα Μάτια", the song that the great artist had written for her. With watery eyes and a knot in his stomach, Attik gets up from his piano and leaves for the dressing room. Confusion sets in with the audience not knowing what to expect. However, they all remain in place and after ten minutes are compensated in the most unlikely way. Attik returns to the stage having composed a song musically and lyrically. Its title? "Ζητάτε Να Σας Πω".