"ELSEWHERE": The Forminx

-- Vangelis' 60s high school band that provided his first experiences with national fame --

By Sufian Irhimeh

The Forminx

 
  
 
Late in his teens, Vangelis joined a school band performing pop and rock hits from abroad, in addition to playing their own music. By the mid 1960's the band adapted the name "The Forminx" and became a local sensation in Thessaloniki (Northern Greece.) Their hit record "Jeronimo Yanka" when released in 1965 sold tens of thousands of copies and soon The Forminx were known throughout Greece. Formed in Athens, the Forminx comprised of five members, lead by Vangelis on organ and keyboards, Vassilis Bakopoulos on guitar, Sotiris Arnis on bass, Costas Skokos on drums, and occasionally Tassos Papastamatis on lead vocals.

The Forminx were a phenomenal success in Greek's popular music scene, an achievement typically reserved for traditional and folk music. Somehow, with their Western sound and modern beat, they've captivated Greece's young generation who were eager and hungry to have their own supergroup. Just like any country around the block.

Though popular as they were, The Forminx were considered primarily an amateur and entertainment band with a strong teenager following. They performed at parties and events purely for fun and they didn't get much paid for their gigs. It was the band's enthusiasm that kept them going.

The songs were mostly credited as Vangelis compositions with a few numbers written by the collective band or by outside contributors. The lyrics were in English, which certainly helped setting them apart from the rest of the Greek artists. The released music adopted one of two styles: the semi instrumental songs with simple but catchy melodies, or the slow ballads with crooner Tassos Papastamatis. Sadly though, his English was often tainted with a heavy Mediterranean accent.

After the hit "Jeronimo Yanka" more singles were released and in total there were nine 7" vinyl singles and an EP. The full list is as follows:

Late in 1965, a documentary film in the life of the Forminx began shooting in Thessaloniki. The film's first producer was then Theo Angelopoulos making the debut of his film career. After shooting had started, Theo abandoned the film due to disagreements with the production team and he was replaced with Costas Lychnaras. The film however was not finished and thus never released. It was said one of the aims of the film was to promote The Forminx' success outside of Greece and to help them eventually go on an international tour. However, The Forminx didn't last long enough to see them traveling around the globe or getting famous outside of Greece. The Forminx disbanded in 1966 at the peak of their success.

Scenes from a film shooting where The Forminx is featured. The film was titled Troubles (1966) and has never been released.

After The Forminx, Vangelis continued composing and performing in Greece, although he chose to be more of a studio person helping other Greek artists. In 1967 Vangelis wrote and produced for half a dozen Greek artists such as female singer Zoe (Zoe Kouroukli) and singer George Romanos. In 1968 Vangelis, along with musician friends Lucas Sideras and Demis Roussos formed in Paris the short-lived but successful progressive rock group Aphrodite's Child.

The Forminx' brief success has ignited the enthusiasm in the Greek underground music scene and inspired a dozen of young groups to sprout blending their unique style with influences from Western rock n' roll, or rhythm & blues.

The Forminx music today

During their active years, there was no Forminx album released. Only a decade later (1976) did a collection of songs appear on a Greek vinyl LP titled "The Forminx". More recently a CD (1998) featuring 14 Forminx songs was released in Greece with the following songs: 

  
    1  Jeronimo Yanka         3:12
    2  Our Last September     3:21
    3  Mandjourano's Shake    2:37
    4  And Maybe More         3:09
    5  Somebody Sent Me Love  2:16
    6  Greek Holidays         2:15
    7  Ah! Say Yeah           2:16
    8  Jenka Beat             3:15
    9  Say You Love Me        3:13
    10 A Precious White Rose  2:57
    11 Il Peperone            2:10
    12 A Hard Night's Day     2:33
    13 Dream In My Heart      2:18
    14 School Is Over         3:08
Pan Vox CD 16171 - 1998 Music Box International S.A. - Greece.

Another Forminx compilation CD exists containing the aforementioned 14 songs plus 4 more. The CD is part of an olides and expensive 5 CD set called "The Ultimate Greek Pop" with the other four CD's being non Forminx related. The extra Forminx songs are: 

 
       Hello My Love Salonica 2:32
       Until The End          2:21
       Love Without Love      2:56
       Elephant Twist         2:09
10765 Radio Gold 1999 Music Box International S.A. - Greece.

The concerts staged by The Forminx at stadiums and cinema theaters drew screaming and hysterical crowds, they were appropriately dubbed the "Beatles of Athens." Concerts held at cinema theaters on Saturday night would start at 10 PM and lasting until early hours of the morning.

Greece at the time was catching up with Europe's societal changes, and parents were not accustomed to see their teenagers consumed with a craze and staying late hours at concerts, when supposedly they should be at home studying. Daughters had a more difficult time convincing their parents to get permission to attend such concert parties, and usually were accompanied by an older relative.

A dance at a ballroom where The Forminx are performing.

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Latest Update: September 1, 2001
WEB site made by: Dennis Lodewijks (d.lodewijks@chello.nl)
This page written and contributed by Sufian Irhimeh.