SHAZAM

Panos Kiamos got his start in the nightclubs of Athens, his hometown. After a few years spent backing up the bigger names on the scene, he set out on his own in 1998 with a debut album. That debut met with some success, but it was 1999's Not Only that brought him some recognition. In 2002, Kiamos found a better niche, playing clubs in Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, and releasing new music to an adoring audience. Live CDs, additional albums, appearances galore at clubs in Thessaloniki -- all contributed to the continued rise of Kiamos at this point, propelling him back to the arms of Athens (and a bigger club scene) by 2006, starting back in the Piraeus district. Hitting the Greek charts again and again with his brand of straightforward balladry infused with some regional instrumental elements, he rose to the top of the Greek scene. 2008's double-album Our Nights: Live saw Kiamos again on the charts, peaking at number five. ~ Adam Greenberg, Rovi