Manos Xydous

Greek artist (producer, composer, guitarist, lyricist and singer), born in Aghii Anargyri, Athens, Greece on 15 May, 1953, originating from Milos and Crete. He died by heart attack, while rehearsing in Piraeus on April 13, 2010. Starting as a DJ and salesman / product director at Μίνως Μάτσας & Υιός Α.Ε., he continued as engineer (assistant at first), coordinating the production of the legendary album Φλού in 1978. Having the ability to detect talented artists and help them, he produced albums for distinguished artists such as Τζίμης Πανούσης, Χάρης & Πάνος Κατσιμίχας, Βασίλης Παπακωνσταντίνου, Λάκης Παπαδόπουλος, Δημήτρης Μητροπάνος, Γιώργος Νταλάρας, Ελένη Τσαλιγοπούλου, Γιάννης Χαρούλης and many more. He also collaborated with Ian Gillan and Violent Femmes. He was a founding member of Dreamer and the Full Moon (1984-1986). 1989 was a pivotal year; he met Φίλιππος Πλιάτσικας and together they formed Pyx-Lax, a band that went on to dominate Greek rock (1993-2004). Apart from production duties, Xydous also contributed to songwriting. He then embarked on a solo career, collaborating with many artists. Upon his death, Pyx-Lax went on a final tour in his honor, their last live performance at OAKA stadium in Athens selling out with more than 75000 attendees. That performance was recorded and released as Ήμουν Κι Εγώ Εκεί. Father of Κατερίνα Ξυδούς and Νέλλη Ξυδούς.