The House that Epi Built: In the 140-Year History of Epiphone, Epaminondas Stathopoulo Looms Large
They called him the Duke, a nod to his princely bearing and stylish manner of dress. Gallivanting around New York City in the early decades of the 20th century, Epaminondas Stathopoulo was a sporty young man-about-town who played mandolin in a band and kept up on the latest trends and high fashions. His small moustache was, in the mode of the day, neatly trimmed and perfectly waxed. An impeccable sense of style and deep appreciation for quality craftsmanship are but two of the virtues that Epaminondas would impart to the company that bears his name, Epiphone, and which celebrates its 140th anniversary this year.
In 1915, Epi—as he was known to his friends—had begun performing with local groups in Manhattan. Mandolin bands were in vogue at the time, a trend that was especially good for the family business. Epi's father, Anastasios, was a maker of stringed instruments who had emigrated from Turkey to the U.S. in 1903. Starting out with a workshop on Manhattan's 28th Street, Anastasios flourished and eventually moved his business uptown to 252 West 42nd Street.
But in the midst of this good life, tragedy struck when Anastasios died suddenly, at age 52, in 1915. It was up to 22-year-old Epi, the eldest child, to keep the family business alive. Counting on him were his brothers, Orpheus and Phrixus (nicknamed Orphie and Frixo), sisters, Alkmini and Helle (Minnie and Elly), and mother, Marianthe. They'd worked hard together to make the business a success in its new American home. With Anastasios gone, they faced a new challenge.
They would rise to the occasion admirably. Today, Epiphone is one of the great heritage brands, known for consummately cool Sixties axes like the Casino, Riviera, and Sheraton, retro-funky slabs such as the Crestwood, Wilshire, and Cornet, and gorgeous pre-WWII electrics that include the Emperor, Zephyr, and Broadway. Many men and women of talent and vision have contributed to the Epiphone tradition, but the company's legacy rests firmly on the foundation created by the Stathopoulo family and its eldest son, the man who gave not only his name but also his life to the company.
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