Greek Radio Hour
Greek Radio Hour
Spiro with Greek Radio Hour tapes & document files by John Nicon, 2011
Spiro Savvides is an extrovert. He would go to night clubs, dance at church festivals and get involved in as many activities as possible not only to promote his businesses but to seek variety in his life. Thus, after Pete Farmasonis and Terry Karis began the Greek Radio Hour in 1972 and the station needed someone with a radio engineer’s license, Spiro took over.
The program aired every Saturday on KXI until 1982 and then on Sundays on KQIN and KRAB, all Seattle radio stations. It was discontinued in 1984 due to lack of sponsors. Spiro said, “Its purpose was to provide the recorded sound of Greece.” It was indeed a dedication, a hobby, from Spiro’s heart, through music, speakers and his personal, often humorous, comments.
An Extensive Library Of Greek Recordings
As the program developed, Spiro researched the recorded sound of Greece and purchased an extensive library of recordings. The collection has over 2000 recordings in 25 categories such as Laika (popular or urban folk), Dimotika (country folk), historical, religious, humor, operatic, dancing, patriotic and children. Spiro believes the collection is the most complete of its kind on the west coast. On particular holidays or at festive events, Spiro would choose music to match the occasion. The collection is very well organized by type of music, areas of Greece, and by artists within the various categories.
Saving The Collection
In 1998 Spiro donated the collection along with the related equipment to his Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Seattle with the idea the records might benefit the Church in some fashion. A few records were used or sold but the future of the remainder of the collection was in doubt. George Maroutsos learned the records might be destroyed and quickly loaded 28 boxes of records in his van. George, an active member of AHEPA (American Hellenic Progressive Association), consulted with Chris Economou, a fellow AHEPAN.
They decided to store the collection in the basement of the Ballard Smoke Shop, a restaurant and lounge operated by Chris’ father and uncle. In the spring of 2011 the entire collection was acquired by the Greek-American Historical Museum of Washington State. Included in the acquisition are two large binders, one of correspondence regarding the development and operations of the program, and another with letters from listeners. Both provide some interesting historical anecdotes.
The Greek Radio Hour is only one of Spiro’s many endeavors. Over time, he has been involved in over 14 corporations, many of which he established himself. Initially, his expectations of life in the United States were much less than what he found. He was able to expand his interests and make changes when he wanted to and fulfill his dreams. “I was free.”
By John and Joann Nicon, August 2011.
Sources
Originally published in the text of “Spiro’s Finest Hour”.
Video interview with Spiro Savvides, July 2011; correspondence between Spiro and Church of the Assumption, February, 1998; statement from George Maroutsos, March 29, 2010; Matt Barrett’s Travel Guides - Archival link. Photos from the Savvides family collection unless otherwise noted.