Kostas Roukounas was born in Neo Karlovasi on the island of Samos (hence his nickname “Samiotaki”) in 1903. His father Apostoli left for the USA when Kostas was 2 years old, and subsequently divorced his mother Eftihia (she remarried and went on to have three further children).
As the family was very poor, Kostas started work at the age of 8 for a cigarette manufacturer, and worked there for 7 years. Around 1920 Kostas began working as a carpenter or joiner and became known throughout Samos as an expert craftsman. Around 1927 Kostas started singing (primarily Smyrnaic songs) at the best taverna in Nea Karlovasi - Pansamiakon. Within a few months of starting his singing career, his stunning vocals had enchanted most of the islanders. In 1928 he left Samos seeking to further his career by moving to mainland Greece and singing in and around Athens at weddings, baptisms and fetes.
By 1929/1930 news of his exceptional talent reached Panayiotis Tountas who sought Kostas out and arranged for him to make 78 rpm recordings. Kostas swiftly recorded many songs excelling at each style - including Rembetika, Dimotika, Kleftika, Amanedes, songs from Smyrna and Constantinople, and Nisiotika (island songs). He worked with many of the founding artists of Rembetika and Smyrnaic schools of music. Roukounas could tackle the most technically difficult songs (particularly Amanedhes) with ease. Additionally, he composed many classic songs himself.
Kostas married Anna Politissa (also a talented singer) in 1934. He also started working at Mitsou tou Mourosis, and stayed there until the Nazis entered Athens in 1941. Tragically, his wife Anna died of a heart attack in March 1943. Kostas continued working after the War and through the 1950s/1960s including stints at Tsitsifies and Fat Jimmy’s. In 1948 he married the lyricist Alexandra Kiriasi.
In 1958 he toured USA for a year to great success. With the Rebetiko revival in the 1970s, Kostas returned to concerts and appearances at tavernas and recorded a number of LPs of traditional, Smyrniac and Rembetic songs. Kostas lived with his wife Alexandra at their home in Pallini until his death in March 1984 aged 80.