Born in Athens, the son of a doctor, Kokotas moved to Paris to study medicine, where he became friend of Stavros Xarchakos, who introduced him to music and contributed to launching his career.

[1] He had his breakout in 1966 with the hit "Στου Όθωνα τα χρόνια" ("In the days of King Otto").

[2] Other major hits include the songs "Όνειρο απατηλό" ("Illusory dream") and "Γιέ μου" ("My son").

[3][4] His collaborations include Dimos Moutsis, Antonios Katinaris, Giorgos Hatzinasios, Apostolos Kaldaras [el], Giorgos Zampetas and Giannis Spanos.

[1][2][4] Kokotas died after a four year battle with cancer on 1 October 2022, at the age of 85.