“Music is culture all the genres of music. I believe that music must include in all the schools as a basical lesson of cultural life. I don't like all the talent shows, that providing less good music. All the children from school must learn what is Rock n’ Roll music, Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Rock etc.“

Dimitris Kelenis: Back to Rock n’ Roll era

Athens Greece-based Rock n Roll and Rockabilly band The D.K. & The Band started in 2012. The band are: Dimitris Kelenis on vocals, Nikos Taliadouros on guitar, Zoi Zioga on bass, George Biniaris on drums, and George Micros on piano. Bandleader Dimitris Kelenis says: “We are friends and musicians and our common favorite music is 50’s Rock ‘n’ Roll – Rockabilly. So we made a band to play our music.” Recently, they released the single “Shake It, Taste It” (2024) with Theo Alexiou on guitar.

“To be yourself and don't afraid anyone! If your band is very good, you will kick asses. Just concentrate in your music and show what you got to make people who came for you, to see you in gigs, having fun and dancing.“ (Photo: Dimitris Kelenis of The D.K. & The Band, Athens Greece 2024)

Kelenis says: “We are musicians with completely different backgrounds (Blues, Jazz, Country & Western, Classical, Rock) and common component rockabilly/rock n’ roll. We move to the fringes of this species, but our sound does not belong exclusively to this species. We try, as much as possible, to present a modern version of what has been preserved in musical memory as "50s" and to creatively add some musical elements that make us more "modern".”

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the Rock n’ Roll music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?

When I was a child at 12 years old, I saw a movie with Elvis Presley “The Jailhouse Rock” and that was it!!! Rock n Roll went inside my bones!!!

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? What is the driving force behind your continuous support for your music?

My music and the lyrics, I’m writing in each song has to do with simple way of life and love. My music has the sound of the 50's Rock n Roll because the Rock n Roll era was the magic years between 1954 -1959.

Why do you think that the Rock n’ Roll music continues to generate such a devoted following in Greece?

Unfortunately in Greece this kind of music doesn't have a lot of followers, because our music roots started from balkans and East culture. However many many many people like the Western culture and of course, the rock n roll way.

“My music and the lyrics, I’m writing in each song has to do with simple way of life and love. My music has the sound of the 50's Rock n Roll because the Rock n Roll era was the magic years between 1954 -1959.“ (Photo: Dimitris Kelenis with his band  and Theo Alexiou on guitar in studio, Athens Greece)

What´s been the highlights in your career so far? Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

It was in an Elvis Presley Tribute Concert in Athens, Greece in front of 4000 people back in 2012. Except from Rock n Roll and Rockabilly as a band, we are the 1st Elvis Presley Tribute Band in Greece.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

In nowadays music has to do with a vey noisy electric sound loops and nothing else. Musicians and lyricists have no inspiration, no talent at all, and of course, they don't produce music with guitars drums etc. and this is very sad.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications?How do you want the music to affect people?

Music is culture all the genres of music. I believe that music must include in all the schools as a basical lesson of cultural life. I don't like all the talent shows, that providing less good music. All the children from school must learn what is Rock n’ Roll music, Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Rock etc.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

To be yourself and don't afraid anyone! If your band is very good, you will kick asses. Just concentrate in your music and show what you got to make people who came for you, to see you in gigs, having fun and dancing.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

Every song has its story, even if i play my own songs or covers. When I saw young people at my gigs, I tell them about the rock n Roll roots and how it is important to my music… “Come on kids! You got to listen all the stars of Rock n Roll, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Bill Haley, Little Richard, Chuck Berry!!!”

(Photo: Dimitris Kelenis)