Greek Girls Rock! Yes, we knew that already, but one Aussie Greek gal actually rocks it for real.  We are talking about Orianthi smoldering guitarista, glam girl to stars like ZZ Top, Carlos Santana, Carrie Underwood, Michael Jackson, Prince, Carrie Underwood, and love interest of Richie Sambora.  www.greekamericangirl.com caught up with Orianthi while on tour in the US.

“Growing up with my Greek grandparents next door and participating in all Greek traditions as a child definitely shaped me into the person I am today,” she states.

Orianthi Panagaris grew up in a Greek family in the southern Australian town of Adelaide.  Here father had played in a Greek band and always kept plenty of guitars around the house. She was already familiar with the piano, which she began to play at age 3.  But the day she was introduced to an acoustic guitar was the day she knew what her life’s passion would be.   That day was at a “baftisi” that her Dad had been contracted to play for when she was about 10 years old.  Since then, guitar became her passion; like a modern-day female Orpheus she took to the stage, expanding her repertoire.

According to her on line bio, “She began to scour her dad’s record collection which included many talented guitarists who were also quite accomplished songwriters, including Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Santana, BB King and many others.  His eclectic tastes exposed her to a wide variety and she developed an appreciation of many different genres.

At age 11, her father took her to see Carlos Santana and she was in awe of his playing. “That show really affected me,” she recounts. “I asked my dad for a Paul Reed Smith guitar so I could be like Carlos. And that was it, no more acoustic!”  She idolized Carlos and collected all of his videos spending hours learning his solos note for note until the tapes were worn out. At 15, she began home schooling so that she could pursue her passion full time and played in local cover bands in Adelaide. She opened for Steve Vai and he became a strong musical influence as a guitar idol and mentor.  She also opened for ZZ top at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. 

Carlos Santana toured through Oz again when she was 18. Four years previously, Carlos had been sent her first CD, Under the Influence recorded at home when she was only 14, and he invited her to his soundcheck where she jammed with him. He was so impressed that he invited her to join him on stage where she played for 35 minutes and took a solo in front of her hometown audience.  Carlos sent footage of her playing with him in Adelaide to Paul Reed Smith in the US, and in 2004 she was invited by Paul to travel to California for the first time to play at NAMM (a music convention).  By the age of 20, after honing her songwriting skills with encouragement from her idol and mentor, Steve Vai and some of Australia’s finest song-writers and including Phil Buckle (John Farnham), she was ready to branch out from the cover band and do her own music.  In 2005, Orianthi recorded her second independent CD,Violet Journey, playing not only lead guitar but also keyboards, bass guitar and drums on a number of tracks.  She was seen by a Universal Records A & R at a NAMM show in early 2006 she signed a major record deal with Geffen and moved to the US later that year.

An on-stage appearance with Carrie Underwood at the 2009 Grammy Awards proved to be another turning point in her career.  One day Michael Jackson’s musical director reached out to her  regarding some arena dates in London and the subsequently ill-fated This Is It concert series. She readily accepted and immediately joined the ranks of prestigious guitarists who worked with Michael, like Eddie Van Halen, Slash, Jennifer Batten and more.  Sadly, the world lost one of its most treasured musical icons and the tour never happened. However, Orianthi was present at all the rehearsals leading up to Michael’s death. “Working with Michael was a life changing experience,” she reflects, “one I will never forget. I learned so much from him.”

Orianthi released her major label debut Believe in the fall of 2009. The album produced the platinum single “According To You” which was a worldwide hit. Coming off the success of Believe and headlining shows around the world, Orianthi was asked to join Alice Cooper’s band in 2011. “I love working with Alice. I admire his longevity as an artist and he gives 110% every night,” Orianthi said. “I’ve learned something valuable from all the artists I have had the privilege to work with,” she says. That list is extensive and runs the gamut from Steve Vai, Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana, Michael Bolton, Prince, ZZ Top, Adam Lambert, Carrie Underwood, John Mayer, Dave Stewart and more.

All these experiences have now given her the freedom, credibility, and confidence as an artist to make the kinds of records she wants to make. Her eclectic style and versatility belie an exciting and varied career that continues to grow and expand and defies the tendencies of an industry quick to pigeon hole an artist into one linear direction. She found a kindred spirit in producer Dave Stewart (Eurythmics, SuperHeavy). Together they recorded Heaven In This Hell released March 12, 2013. The album is melodic, riff heavy rock, energetic blues, and a sprinkle of country and pop. “We were able to record with musicians I respect, creatively exchanging ideas and playing together live in the studio…the way I want all my records to be made. Dave is my producer but also a friend and collaborator. We had a lot of fun jamming and hashing out a variety of songs and sounds until we found the grooves that inspired us, “ said Orianthi.”

Orianthi has just received an induction into the South Australia Hall of Fame. She will return to celebrate Down Under this coming December and then rock her way to Vegas.  Rock the World you Greek Aussie girl!