Veteran musician Kyriakos Tsolakis has mounted a fierce defence of renowned singer Giannis Parios following online criticism of a concert in Larnaca.
Tsolakis, who has performed alongside Parios for 33 years playing accordion and keyboards, posted a public statement urging social media commentators to show respect for a decades long career instead of judging a brief video snippet.
The controversy arose after short video clips from Parios's concert performance in Larnaca, Cyprus, began circulating online. Several internet users left negative comments about the performer's age and vocal abilities, claiming that he had grown old, could no longer perform effectively, and should retire from the stage.
Tsolakis strongly rejected the negative reactions, questioning the authority of anonymous commentators behind mobile phones and keyboards to dictate when a major artistic figure should stop performing. He asked what those critics had accomplished in their own lives to write off a career spanning decades so easily.
Defense of a legendary career
Addressing claims that Parios was relying on the audience to sing, Tsolakis explained that passing the microphone to the crowd is a common stage interaction rather than evidence of vocal failure. He stated that online users were examining performances with a microscope to find a single breath or moment to express malice rather than constructive criticism.
Tsolakis acknowledged that Parios has aged, noting that growing older is a universal human reality and that no one holds a contract with eternal youth. However, he emphasized that passing years do not invalidate artistic talent, erase historical contributions, or diminish Parios's standing as one of the most prominent voices in Greek music history.
Parios, born Ioannis Varthakouris on the Aegean island of Paros, is widely celebrated as one of Greece's premier vocalists, famous for romantic ballads and traditional island music. Over a career spanning more than five decades, his songs have soundtracked weddings, romances, and personal milestones for generations of listeners across Greece and Cyprus. Tsolakis has served as his key stage companion and instrumentalist throughout much of that era.
Call for humility and respect
In his statement, Tsolakis challenged critics to consider their own contributions before attempting to diminish established artists. He asked how many thousands of audience members the commentators had moved to tears, how many generations had sung their works, or how many venues they had filled in their own lives.
Tsolakis added that sitting on a sofa and dismissing others is easy, whereas building a cultural legacy that outlives its creator requires immense effort and endurance. He urged online critics to look in the mirror and evaluate their own achievements before calling for an artist to step down.
Concluding his response, Tsolakis expressed confidence that Parios's place in the history of Greek music remains secure regardless of online commentary. He stated that history will record Parios in prominent terms for his lifetime of artistic contribution, while the harsh comments of internet users serve only to highlight their own insignificance.
