"The ties between Jazz, Rock, Psychedelic and World music is the Rechecking Inside of each musician."

Chris Stassinopoulos: Space Fusion

Chris Stassinopoulos was born in Athens Greece at 1951. He's drummer, pianist, keyboardist and composer. Shared the stage and recorded with AXIS, ZAO, CLEAR LIGHT, CATHERINE LARA, FRANCIS MOZE (ex GONG, MAGMA), JANNICK TOP (ex MAGMA), JOEL DUGRENOT (ex ZAO, CLEAR LIGHT), VANGELIS PAPATHANASSIOU, DAVID CROSS (ex KING CRIMSON), HUGH HOPPER (of SOFT MACHINE), ALEX FOSTER (ex JACO PASTORIUS), BARRY FINNERTY (ex MILES DAVIS), JOE BERGER (ex JOHN ENTWISTLE), MICHEL DELVILLE & the WRONG OBJECT, EXPLORERS band (GR), CLINT BAHR (ex TRIPOD band) and many others.

"In music circuits…never laugh…all were serious !!!" (Photo: Chris Stassinopoulos, Athens 2014)

Chris talks about the local jazz Rock scene, and his music experiences.

Interview by Michael Limnios

What do you learn about yourself from the Jazz music and what does Rock n’ Roll culture mean to you?

Rock music gives me the Liberation of my Soul & the Jazz music learns me - to improvisation & communication with other important musicians.

How do you describe Chris Stassinopoulos sound and what characterize your music philosophy?

My music is SPACE SOUND-SPACE FUSION the rechecking of the meaning of Universe for the HUMANS.

Which is the moment that you change your life most? Which was the best and worst moment of your career?

A) When I was listen the Greek band “Juniors” in Glyfada Greece at 1964. B) when I was living for 2 years in the same house at Brunoy 20 km outside of Paris France, with the band AXIS (the second international GREEK band after APHRODITES CHILD)--also big experience was at studio Herouville when we (AXIS) recorded our LP Sewers down inside (at 1973)--and at same studio-same period-at other big room recorded PINK FLOYD-Dark Side of the Moon. C) Experience exploration at 1980-1983 in Greece-in the mountains of CRETE & ANDROS island beach & mountains.

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What is the best advice ever given you?

Meeting important people in my life Demis Visvikis keyboards player of AXIS, also MAGMA band (Christian Vander (drummer & leader of Magma), Francis Moze (bass), Jannick Top (bass), Joel Dugrenot (bass ex Zao, Clear Light), David Cross (violin ex King Crimson), Hugh Hopper (bass of Soft Machine), and my personal manager & technician George Stratis.

"Rock music gives me the Liberation of my Soul & the Jazz music learns me- to improvisation & communication with other important musicians." (Photo: Chris & Hugh Hopper of Soft Machine, Rodeo Club, Athens Greece)

Are there any memories from Axis, Clear Lights, Vangelis and Soft Machine which you’d like to share with us?

Memories from Axis, Clear Light, Soft Machine, and Vangelis are many and all good AND Fantastic!!!!

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

I miss ROCK & JAZZ sound of the years 1970-1976. MY HOPES & FEARS of the FUTURE...FEARS-BANKERS & TOKOGLIFOI (money lender) to destroyed HUMANITY transformed the Humanity...Slaves in Material World without SPIRIT without Civilization-but Only SYSTEM LIFE… House, Working, House, Working, House … without friends and relatives inside at them houses (after work time). MY HOPES ...to Open the Houses (hospitality) for friends & to offered Foods, drinks (NOT DRUGS!!) and good Discussion for the LIFE--this was happen at 1960-1980!!

If you could change one thing in the musical world and it would become a reality, what would that be?

I WANT TO CHANGE IN MUSIC THIS…TO ARRIVED ROCK & JAZZ & JAZZ FUSION MUSIC BE BY LISTENERS is 80% in all the World---and DANCING music 20 % (like was in the years 1960-1980) in the years 1980-2014 the DANCING music is 80% & ROCK & JAZZ 20% IN ALL THE WORLD--special in Greece the Rock & Jazz is only 5%! At 1960-1980 ROCK music VICTORY vs DANCING music--1990--2014 DANCING music Victory VS ROCK music--SO: 1985-2014 WE HAVE IN ALL WORLD 80% DANCING and 20 % ROCK, PROG ROCK & JAZZ FUSION--THE REST 15% is PLASTIC ROCK MUSIC LIKE THE PLASTIC FOODS OF McDONALDS and 5% ORIGINAL MUSIC OF 70s!! BUT WITH OLD FORME--ME, I USED ENERGY of 70s with NEW FORME! PENTATINIC ARCHAIC MUSIC WITH DRESS ROCK PROG & JAZZ FUSION!

"My music is SPACE SOUND-SPACE FUSION the rechecking of the meaning of Universe for the HUMANS." (Photo: George Filippidis on bass, Demis Visvikis on piano, Lakis Zois on guitar, and Chris Stassinopoulos on drums, Jazz Club Barakos, Athens Greece, 1979)

Make an account of the case of the Jazz Rock in Greece. Which is the most interesting period in local scene?

JAZZ ROCK IN GREECE best period was 1976-1985- The First JAZZ ROCK GROUP in Greece construction LAKIS ZOIS TRIO 1976 IN VOLCANO CLUB in Glyfada (Greece) -on Drums Chris Stassinopoulos, George Gavalas bass & George Filippidis bass, on organ Paul Alexiou. After at same time September 1976- ME (drums), George Gavalas (bass) & Johnny (JANOS) Lambizi (guitar)--we start for first time (3 days) open ceremony the JAZZ CLUB of George Barakos in PLAKA area Athens Greece.

What has made you laugh lately and what touched (emotionally) you from the local music circuits?

In music circuits…never laugh…all were serious !!!

What are the lines that connect the legacy of Jazz with Rock and continue to Psychedelic and World music?

The ties between Jazz, Rock, Psychedelic; World music is the Rechecking Inside of each musician.

Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really wanna go for a whole day..?

At 1970!!!