17/01/2010 / From the ships to Eurovision - PROTO THEMA
Story by Petros Stergiou

The shipowner who has never hidden his love for music, released a few days ago his new CD album...

What happens when a successful ship owner turns to music writing! Is it possible that the hobby may turn out to be more creative than his professional endevours? George P. Lemos, of the well known shipping dynasty, has proved that in addition to been active and successful in Shipping he can move with ease in the magical world of music and to use words and notes with flair.

A short time before the holidays he released a new CD titled "Echoes". The well known ship owner George Lemos has signed the music and the lyrics of three songs.

The ships and the accordion

Born in New York, he came to Greece at a young age where he grew up in a family that offered him comforts and luxury. Graduate of the Aspropyrgos Maritime Academy he served for three years on dry cargo ships and got his ticket of 3rd mate and Chief Officer. Then he went to London for studies in the Morley College and the City of London Polytechnic with specialization in Maritime Economics. He was employed in Marine Insurance companies, but in those years his great love was music in parallel with his studies.

He started with music at the age of eight learning the accordion and after this with the piano. It was apparent from the start that it was not a simple hobby. It was a way of self expression and deep passion. His passion for music was such that he did not hesitate to try himself in recording in spite of the burden of the dynasty name that did not leave much room for artistic endevours.

Beyond his professional success in the field of shipping George Lemos has attained significant success in music.

The Co-operations and the Eurovision

He worked several times with the composer Vaggelis Pitsiladis with characteristic works the release of the records "Oasis" and Conquistador". He has also signed the composition of "Aphrodite’s Melody" of Niko Foskolos in the screen play "Wild Youth". He has also worked with Spyro Ralli and George Sotiropoulos in the record "Time to speak of love". He took part in the Eurovision several times (1983, 1984, 1985), where he managed to win third place.

In 2007 he released his record titled "eclipse". Now he has released his new work "Echoes". The songs are performed by Panos Kapiris, Iro Saia, Stellios Karpathakis, Irini Zoi and Xenia. The lyrics of three songs are by the ship owner himself, George Lemos. The other seven are by Katerina Mpozoni.

To date George P. Lemos has his own shipping company "Blossom Maritime Corporation" in Piraeus. A company managing dry cargo merchant vessels.

In his private life he completes this year 25 years of happy married life with his beloved Chryssoula Vakali with whom he has three children: Pantelis, Aspasia and Katerina.

The proceeds of the sales of the CDs will be donated to the Union of Parents and friends of Persons with Down Syndrome the "Iliaxtida".