“In an instant music says to the heart / now I want to hide in the stars, / in the sky in the passing sun / flower children laugh / in the sky in golden clouds / flower children fly … “1968 George Romanos (words and music) in his song “Children of Flowers” the final historical record “In Concert & In The Studio” (Zodiac), capturing the psychedelic aura of that time, in perfect harmony with the general international climate that favored the logic of common and common property and became the central slogan of the hippies. The power of flowers.

A year earlier, in the “summer of love” of 1967, romantic, idealistic young people had gathered in San Francisco and handed out flowers to emphasize the demand for peace, which was politically linked to the colors of the beatniks and Allen Ginsberg in his 1965 book.

“Flower children”, synonymous with hippies, became the titles of various songs in Greece. The Black Lovers in their album (1972), Ilias Asvestopoulos from GR 2002 in their first album “Pola” (1974), Giorgos Mouzakis with lyrics by Alekos Sakellarios from the Kotopoulis Theater Musical “Babis and Babinos” (1969) performed by Teris Krisos and others. They were also subtitled in “Yami Yami” (1969) by Gerasimos Lavranou – Dimitris Limberopoulos with Jenny Vanu. Songs in which carelessness, joy of life, love without a sharp political orientation were given.

In the 1973-74 season. released the cult film by Omir Efstratiadis produced by GD Films (13th place at the box office out of 44 screened) with Christos Nomikos, Andreas Barkoulis, Maria Vassiliou (beautiful Maya), the famous protagonist of “Eudokia”. Alexis Damianos (1971), who appeared as “Chrysotheme” in 1975 in Angelopoulos’ “Thiasos”. Don’t imagine any claims to the film. A bad film, shot in Rhodes, under-directed, with a strong romantic element, enough violence and suspense without a well-crafted foundation, and of course with a total lack of political messages as the dictatorship expired. If there was anything interesting, it was the name of the cinematographer Ari Stavrou at the beginning of his career and, of course, the inspiring music of Mike Rozaki, whose artistic value was disproportionate to the film.

Charm and Playboys

One of the most beautiful compositions written for Greek cinema, disordered and idiosyncratic, with a psychedelic core, it occupies a prominent place in its genre internationally.

Mike Rozakis (1946–2009), born in Fayum, Alexandria, worked in Switzerland and in the band Potflair, legendary singer-bassist for the Charms, guitarist-vocalist for the Juniors and the second Playboys period, with whom he released the wonderful “Mike Rozakis & the Playboys” ( RCA, 1971), playing classical guitar, singing and arranging, at the age of 27 he wrote the masterpiece soundtrack for “The Flower Children” to accompany the bohemian life of youth with vivid fantasies. clothes in nightclubs, carelessness and freedom of love.

One of the most beautiful and varied pieces of music written for him. Greek cinema and rightfully occupy a prominent place in the cream of the crop internationally. Disorganized and idiosyncratic, with a core of the psychedelic character of the music of the time, which nevertheless opens up a wide range of influences and styles: classical music, jazz, avant-garde, funk, psycho-rock with operatic origins, with flirting with Greek music are included in the overall composer’s perspective. Gorgeous melodies, inventive development of twenty-one themes and unique rhythms that inspire a sense of suspense are the best fit for the tense cinematic atmosphere. Amazing orchestrations with volume including saxophone, organ, piano, guitar, violins offering magical moments, introverts and extroverts.

Compositions full of ideas and imagination, open to the fusion of improvisations and experimental endeavors of musicians in an original, innovative sound, emphasizing scenes of passion, persecution and hallucinations, but maintaining the autonomy and self-sufficiency of a completely modern work.

30 years later

Recorded in September 1973 at Columbia Studios, it was made available to the public for the first time thanks to two extremely stylish and stunning sounds from the original master tapes, released in limited editions by record companies in the Greek market and in international distribution on the Fine label. Potfleur, Thirty Years Later (2002) with the titles “Children of the Flowers” and “She Knew No Other Way” and two different covers.

Rozakis’ later career as a composer, pianist, arranger left many examples both through his collaborations in various works, operas and musicals with Aliki Vougiuklakis, Anna Vissi and others at Eurovision, and as director of musical programs and director of the Poikilis Orchestra. Music on Greek Radio during the period 1975-79 conducted by Manos Hadjidakis.