The original members of the Trio Bel Canto
consisted of Evangelos Metaxas and Bobby Tsobanakis, friends and classmates
since high school. They later found John Papamakariou to play guitar and, with
many rehearsals of the songs of that time, they formed their trio group and
began their musical journey. Originally called the Trio Coumbatsero from
their start in 1948, they were "baptized" the Filoi tou Bel-canto --
"Friends of the Belcanto" -- in 1950 by maestro and pianist Vangelis
Lykiardopoulos. As the Filoi tou Bel-canto, they recorded numerous 78
r.p.m. records with musicians Mimi Plessas and Giorgos Mouzakis. In 1952,
however, in order to conform to the "trend" of many trio groups which were
popular at the time, they began calling themselves the "Trio Bel Canto", which
is the name that has been in use for the past 50 years. It was at that time
that George Economidis, an entertainment promoter, brought them to the very
popular Alsos Club and billed them as an up-and-coming amateur group destined
to become famous. Economidis subsequently booked them at the Palia Athena,
another club which was host to many famous musical talents of the era. There,
along with the orchestra of Lykourgos Markeas, they played in the winters from
October until April, gaining in popularity throughout the remainder of the '50s
. With the help and backing of Giorgos Economidis, the journey of their musical
progress became easier. In 1956, the Trio, along with the orchestra of Giorgos
Mouzakis, made their first excursion to the United States aboard the ocean
liner "Queen Frederica" on April 21, by invitation of the Greek-American
organization Order of A.H.E.P.A. (American Hellenic Educational Progressive
Association). Shortly after their return to Greece, Bobby Tsobanakis left the
group (June 1956), and was replaced by Michael Matheos. The Trio Bel Canto
continued to entertain at the Palia Athena, as well as at other well-known
clubs such as the Spylia Paraskeva and Treis Gefyres of Karystinos. In August
of 1959, the Trio traveled to Cyprus where they played in several clubs there,
and the following month they performed at the Exhibition in Thessaloniki at the
club Luxemburg on September 20 of 1959. They completed this decade by
participating in the 1st Festival of Music on October 3rd of that year, an
event sponsored by the National Institute of Radiophony. All in all from 1950
until 1962, the group recorded records, appeared in numerous shows and events
with all of the popular musicians and maestros of the time, and performed for
many philanthropic causes. They were featured in Greek films, singing in their
unique and perfect style and adding a touch of class to the musical
soundtracks. Incidently, bel canto is an Italian phrase meaning
"beautiful song". The pictures in this Gallery, taken with prominent Greek and
American actors and musicians of that time, attest to the group's popularity.
(Click on a thumbnail to view the enlarged photo, then
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gallery.)
