Biografia
Sakis Rouvas was born on the island of Corfu, Greece. From an early age, music and singing became integral parts of his life. His classmates fondly recall a memorable graduation party where Sakis was the undeniable star, performing iconic hits by Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
In addition to music, gymnastics was another passion of his, earning him notable national awards. He also excelled in pole vaulting, showcasing such exceptional talent that he joined the Hellenic National team.
Sakis made his professional debut in Athens in 1991, where Polygram discovered him and offered his first recording contract. Just months later, he impressed audiences at the Thessaloniki Song Festival with the song "Par' ta," which won the top music award. This marked his first experience with enthusiastic fans who recognized a rising star.
From that point, Sakis’s career accelerated rapidly. His debut album, "Sakis Rouvas," was released the day after the festival and quickly became a massive No. 1 hit across Greece. His image adorned posters and rooms of countless young fans, while Greek media hailed him as a new star. Soon, adoration turned to excitement, and his live performances became regular magazine headlines.
For four consecutive years, he dominated the Hellenic Music Awards, winning Best New Singer, Best Song, Best Stage Performance, and numerous other honors. He became Greece’s leading stage performer, sharing the stage with renowned Greek artists like Tolis Voskopoulos, Anna Vissi, and Kaiti Garbi. On May 19, 1997, Sakis took a significant step toward peace by performing alongside Turkish pop star Burat Kut in a bi-communal concert in the UN-controlled areas of Cyprus. The event made international headlines and had a political impact. For this concert, Sakis received the international "Ipeksi Prize" for understanding and cooperation, an award also presented that year to Undersecretary of State George A. Papandreou and former Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis. Additionally, Sakis and Burat recorded a duet for Disney’s film The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996).
Since 1996, Sakis has enjoyed the support of Greece’s largest fan club, the "Sakis Rouvas Fan Club" (SRFC), with thousands of members from Greece and abroad. The fan club publishes a newsletter distributed by mail to all members.
After releasing five albums—two gold and one platinum—Sakis signed with Minos-EMI. His latest album, "Kati apo mena" (A Little Something of Me), released in December 1998, quickly became a hit and went gold within two months. The album's launch featured a spectacular live event at Virgin Megastores in Athens, drawing thousands of fans and causing a traffic jam on one of the city's busiest avenues. This album further cemented his success, earning him the Best Stage Performer award from the Hellenic Music Awards critics.
Known for his impressive stage presence, combining singing and dancing, Sakis caused a sensation in October 1998 by appearing on stage in a skirt specially designed for him by renowned Haute Couture designer Valentino Garavani. His performance, showcasing songs from his new album, turned him once again into a headline as all his costumes were Valentino originals created specifically for him.
Entering the new millennium, Sakis recorded his album "21 Akatallilos" (21st X-Rated), released in March 2000. It topped the charts from its first day.
In summer 2000, as Greece’s only true pop star, Sakis was chosen by Pepsi’s management to star in their summer advertising campaign—a first for any Greek artist. A British production team filmed the ad in Athens, crafting a screenplay tailored to Sakis’s image and appeal to young female fans. The campaign was a national success, earning praise beyond his fan base. Pepsi also released collectible cans featuring Sakis’s image.
Since 2002, Sakis has been expanding his career internationally. He signed a five-year contract with Universal Records in France and released an album for the European market, collaborating with famed songwriter Desmond Child.
In spring 2004, Greek national TV selected Sakis to represent Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest. Performing the song "Shake It," he energized the finals on May 15 and ultimately placed third, winning the hearts of millions across Europe.
Thirteen years and nine albums after his debut, Sakis Rouvas remains one of Greece’s most beloved and sought-after artists—and he promises, "You haven’t seen anything yet!
