The composer Leo Leandros, who is celebrating his 101st year of life, 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 scheduled to take place on September 6 at the Herodes Atticus Theater.
He refers to a “loud” omission of his name in a concert that was promoted with the “greatest hits” of Vicky Leandros, stating that this “devalues and diminishes both myself as a composer and creator, as well as my works, thus infringing upon 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 first performed by my daughter Vicky Leandros and highlighted as her greatest hits with which she became internationally recognized: ‘Ich liebe das Leben,’ ‘Dann kamst du/Après toi’ (with which Ms. Leandros was crowned the winner of the 17th Eurovision Contest), ‘Wo Du Bist (Da Bin Auch Ich),’ ‘Die Bouzouki Klang Durch Die Sommernacht,’ ‘Drehorgelmann,’ ‘Ich Bin,’ ‘Karussel Amour,’ to mention just a few songs that I am credited 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’ concert at the Herodes Atticus Theater on September 6, 2024. The way this concert has initially been described and promoted with Vicky’s “greatest hits,” combined with the so “loud” omission of my name, devalues and diminishes both myself as a composer and creator, as well as my works, thus infringing upon my rights and personality. Any late attempts at communication to reference me and my name, which I understand occurred after the delivery of the cease-and-desist letter, do nothing but confirm this infringement.
I regret experiencing such an offense again. However, this time I was forced 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 good luck to the concert’s organization and to my daughter Vicky, hoping for the display of the necessary respect for my statements.
Pefki, Evia, August 29, 2024
Leandros Leandros.”