Έλλη Κοκκίνου grew up in a family with a love of music. From a young age, Elli showed interest in music and was also part of the dance group at her school. Her father encouraged her to listen to music, mostly jazz, while her mother encouraged her to listen to more mainstream music, such as disco. At age five she started ballet, while at home she sang and danced for her parents at night. She soon began classic guitar courses at the Attiko Conservatory, and after that, acoustic and electric guitar lessons for another three years. Κοκκίνου was also very interested in sports and for six years before she finished school, she was on a water ski team. On the team she won third place in a pan-Hellenic championship as well as many gold medals. Upon graduation she wrote her first band called “Ανώνυμοι” (Anonymous). At the same time she completed examinations and was accepted to the school Vakalo where she studied graphic, free and architectural drawing and art history. Elli Kokkinou first professionally dealt with music in 1990 with the request of the famous Κώστας Τουρνάς. Soon after, Kokkinou collaborated with many big names at the clubs such as Αντώνης Βαρδής, Τόλης Βοσκόπουλος, Άννα Βίσση, Πασχάλης Τερζής, Γλυκερία, Ελένη Δήμου and many more. At the same time she also provided backing vocals for a number of artists’ albums. In 1992, Elli Kokkinou moved to Los Angeles, CA where she studied voice and piano at the Musicians Institute of Technology for two years. Her relocation to the United States offered her the chance to be taught by strong names in the music industry such as Carl Schroeder, pianist for Sarah Voaghn, and Scott Henderson. In 1994 she graduated and returned to Greece. In 1996 Elli Kokkinou signed a contract with Sony Music Greece and in 1998 she released her first CD single titled Κάποια μέρα (Kapia Mera - Someday). Music was by Αντώνης Βαρδής, with lyrics by Μάνος Τσιλιμίδης and Γιούλα Γεωργίου. In 1999, Elli Kokkinou released her debut album titled Επικίνδυνα παιχνίδια (Epikindyna Pehnidia - Dangerous games). The song “Πάω πάω” became a hit single off the album. In 2000 she released her second album titled Ανδρική κολώνια (Andriki Kolonia - Male cologne). In 2002 she signed with Heaven Music and the following year started collaborating with popular song writer Φοίβος. In May 2003 she released the album Στο κόκκινο (Sto Kokkino - In red) which was one of the most successful releases in Greece of the year, reaching double platinum status. The album’s first platinum certification was attained within two months and was also a great success in neighboring Turkey. Kokkinou performed with Γιώργος Μαζωνάκης in the song “Το Gucci των Μασάι” which made it into the Greek top ten. Following the success of Στο κόκκινο, her former label Sony Music released a greatest hits album titled Παραδίνομαι (I’m surrendering). Following the platinum status, Στο κόκκινο was repackaged as Στο κόκκινο Platinum Edition in 2004 with four bonus songs including a duet with Γιώργος Τσαλίκης and a DVD. The four new songs became instant hits, while the re-release help push the certification up to 2x platinum. On April 14, 2005, Elli Kokkinou won the international award for “Best New International Artist” by the “Union of Journalists of Turkey” (MGD), as her songs from Στο κόκκινο were big hits in Turkey. Following a series of concerts in the United States and Australia with Χρήστος Δάντης, Elli Kokkinou returned in the summer of 2005 and began recording songs for her next studio album with Φοίβος. On November 10, 2005 Kokkinou released her fourth studio album titled SEX which was certified gold on the day of its release. The album shortly reached platinum status and was repackaged on November 13, 2006 as Κι άλλο Platinum Edition (More). Κι άλλο featured 4 new songs and a bonus DVD, including a duet with Θάνος Πετρέλης and the French language version of the single “SEX” first performed at the “MAD Music Video Awards” in 2006. For the winter season of 2006-2007, Κοκκίνου performed with Πετρέλης at club “Apollon”. On April 1, 2007, Elli announced on her official website that she had left Heaven Music and Φοίβος stating she would like more creative input as one of her reasons. She also stated that Heaven Music had offered her to resign, which she decided not to do. Following a couple months without a label, Elli announced in July 2007, that she has signed with her original label Sony BMG Greece. In September 2007, she started appearances with Νίκος Κουρκούλης and Νατάσσα Θεοδωρίδου at club “Votanikos”. In November 2007, she released her fifth studio album titled Ειλικρινά (Honestly). The album peaked at number 2 on the Greek IFPI charts, while her lead single “Λυπάμαι ειλικρινά” peaked at number 2 on the Nielsen’s Greece Radio Airplay Chart. The album quickly certified gold. Due to her pregnancy, she stopped singing at Votanikos club on January 5, 2008 and Σαρμπέλ replaced her. In September 2008, Kokkinou went back to the studio to record her next album which is planned for release in Spring 2009. The album will most likely be composed by Γιώργος Θεοφάνους. In November 2008, Kokkinou released a song titled “Μη τα παρατάς” with music by Δημήτρης Κοντόπουλος, which is the title track to the Greek film “Ο Ηλίας του 16ου”. During an interview in late November, Kokkinou stated that she is currently in the studios searching for a new sound to come back with. She stated that her new album will be out in the first three months on 2009. Elli has also recorded a track titled “Δεμένες” for the Barbie movie “Η Barbie και το διαμαντένιο κάστρο”, she released the video through her official myspace page. In the 1990s, Elli Kokkinou had a relationship with Διονύσης Σχοινάς. Later in 2000 she began dating her business manager, Παναγιώτης Βασιλειάδης, and in September 2007 the two married. She became a stepmother to his three children from a previous marriage. In December 2007 she revealed that she was pregnant with her first child after much media scrutiny. In June 2008 Kokkinou gave birth to a boy. |
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