Vasilis Mantzouranis: Who was the musician who was killed in a car accident in Thessaloniki – The “Western Quarters” and Vassilis Karras

Sadness caused the artistic world and not only, his tragic death, composer and songwriter Vassilis Mantzourani from . The car the 53-year-old drove collided side-frontally with another car in Thessaloniki, under unclear conditions. The unfortunate musician was returning home his two children and three other minors. Vassilis Manjoranis was 53 years old. He was the father of two 16-year-old children, Valentin and Apostolis. He was co-founder of the Greek rock band “Western Quarters” along with his friend Costas Mylisis. The band was created in Menemeni, Thessaloniki in April 1996 by the two children’s friends. With a Facebook post Vassilis Mantzouranis reveals how the successful band was created: “So as a primary lie Costas Milosis and I created a rock band that was so loved by you. True, it took us a long time to find the right name by walking the streets of Menemeni, Eusmos and Cordeli. Stopped by car in a lantern I told Costas “Western Quarters” we will name the band. This is how the journey began and it was wonderful.” The band became widely known with the song “Summer Dating”, with music of itself. For this piece Vassilis Mantzouranis, with a Facebook post will say: “This song that was so much loved was not made in a moment. Returning from my vacation I wrote the chorus and presented it to Kostas Mylisis. Excited by listening to it with his guitar, he writes “Like a hallucination, you show my eyes. West and East of the horizon wings.. Second coup for about nine months did not exist. I finally get inspired by nectar divine drink… You all know the sequel!”. Some of the band’s successes bear the “signation” of Vassilis Mantzouranis, in lyrics and composition. Summer date Music: Mantzouranis Vasilis Lyhs: Kostas Milosis Tell me why Music and lyrics: Vassilis Mantzouranis Lost love Music and lyrics: Vassilis Mantzouranis Don Quichotis Music and lyrics: Vassilis Mantzouranis That’s why Vassilis Manjoranis said it’s his favorite as he talks about him. After 13 years of course and 4 albums the band stopped its activities in 2009 with a last official concert that it gave at Menemeni Square from where the band started. In 2015 he wrote a song entitled “Gods and demons” and performer Thodoris Sarisakis. As this song had said, it talks about what the Greek went through during the years of the economic crisis. The lyrics say features “Yes, politics is the point, I know, I don’t hide it. You want me to run away, pack up, leave. But this is my place, I was born here, here I will die.” The 53-year-old among others had written one of Vassilis Carras’ biggest hits, “all a lie”. Friends and associates talk about a kind, smiling and calm man, passionate about music and great love for his own people. Reportage: Peace Peivan