Yiannis (or Ioannis) Halikias, also known as Jack Gregory, was a Greek/American bouzouki virtuoso. His 1932 “Minore tou Teke” was the first popular bouzouki recording, and was a tremendous influence on the music being recorded in Greece.
Rumour has it that he learned to play bouzouki against his father’s wishes, tutored in the ways of the mangas by his uncle. When he moved to America he made a few recordings but became disillusioned by the record company and refused to record anymore. He found he had signed an exclusive contract with the company for thirty years!
There’s talk of Halikias running an underground hashish joint in the 30’s and being involved in other shady activities, living the life of a mangas in America. Many famous musicians would visit Halikias when they were in New York, and there are unpublished recordings of Halikias with them.