The composer Leo Leandros, who is celebrating his 101st birthday, has sent a cease and desist letter to his daughter Vicky Leandros, prohibiting her from performing his songs at her concert titled “Life is Beautiful,” which is set to take place on September 6 at the Herodes Atticus Theatre.
He refers to a “loud” omission of his name in a concert promoted with the “greatest hits” of Vicky Leandros, something which he states “devalues both me as a composer and creator and my works, thus violating my rights and personality.”
Leo Leandros’ public statement:
“PUBLIC STATEMENT
by Leandros Leandros
composer, lyricist, music producer to all interested parties. I have been blessed that the original musical compositions I created or co-created in collaboration with friends and great colleagues, such as Klaus Munro, Ralf Arnie, and Michael Kunze, among others, were interpreted for the first time by my daughter Vicky Leandros and showcased as her greatest hits, which made her world-renowned: “Ich liebe das Leben,” “Dann kamst du/Après toi” (with which Mrs. Leandros won the 17th Eurovision Song Contest), “Wo Du Bist (Da Bin Auch Ich),” “Die Bouzouki Klang Durch Die Sommernacht,” “Drehorgelmann,” “Ich Bin,” “Karussel Amour,” to name just a few songs that I have signed as a creator and producer (Leo Leandros, Mario Panas).
With a cease and desist letter that I have already sent, I prohibit the public performance of the songs I have created or co-created at Vicky Leandros’s concert at the Herodes Atticus Theatre on September 6, 2024. The way this concert was originally described and promoted with Vicky’s “greatest hits,” combined with the so “loud” omission of my name, devalues both me as a composer and creator and my works, thus violating my rights and personality. The late communication efforts referring to me and my name, which I have learned were made after the delivery of the cease and desist letter, only confirm this offense.
I regret experiencing such an offense again. However, this time I felt compelled to invoke the provisions of the law for the protection of my personality and my work, as I owe it to my journey, my career, and to myself, for over a hundred years.
I wish success to the organization of the concert and to my daughter Vicky, looking forward to the appropriate display of respect for my statements.
Pefki, Euboea, August 29, 2024
Leandros Leandros.”