Demis Roussos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Demis Roussos
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Roussos in 2014
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Artemios Ventouris-Roussos
15 June 1946 Alexandria, Kingdom of Egypt
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| Died | 25 January 2015 (aged 68) Athens, Greece
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| Years active | 1963–2014 |
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Demis Roussos was a famous Greek singer, songwriter, and musician. He was born on June 15, 1946, and passed away on January 25, 2015. Many people remember him for his powerful voice.
He was part of a progressive rock band called Aphrodite's Child. Later, he became a very successful solo artist. His hit songs include "Goodbye, My Love, Goodbye" and "Forever and Ever". Demis Roussos sold over 60 million albums around the world.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Demis Roussos was born and grew up in Alexandria, Egypt. His family was Greek. His father was a classical guitarist and an engineer. His mother enjoyed acting in plays.
From a young age, Demis studied music. He sang in a Greek Church choir. His early life in Alexandria was filled with different kinds of music. He heard jazz, traditional Arabic music, and Greek Orthodox music. His parents lost their belongings during a difficult time in Egypt. So, they decided to move to Greece.
After moving to Greece, Demis Roussos joined several music groups. When he was 17, he joined a band called the Idols. There, he met Evángelos Papathanassíou, who later became known as Vangelis. He also met Loukas Sideras. These two would become his bandmates in Aphrodite's Child.
Becoming Famous with Aphrodite's Child
Demis Roussos became widely known in 1967. He joined the progressive rock band Aphrodite's Child. The band included Vangelis and Loukas Sideras. Demis started as a singer but also played bass guitar.
They became very popular in France and other parts of Europe. This was from 1968 to 1972. The band tried to go to London for international fame. But they had visa problems and ended up in Paris. There, they signed a record deal with Philips Records.
Their first recording sessions were delayed by a big strike in May 1968. Later that year, they released the song "Rain and Tears". This song was on their album End of the World. Vangelis wrote the music. Demis Roussos's unique high tenor voice made the song special. It was a big hit in many countries.
Demis's operatic singing style helped the band succeed worldwide. Their last album, 666, became a classic for progressive rock fans.
Solo Career and Collaborations
After Aphrodite's Child broke up, Demis Roussos started his solo career. His first solo song, "We Shall Dance", came out in 1971. It was a top ten hit in the Netherlands and Belgium. He toured around Europe and became a very popular artist.
His solo career was most successful in the mid-1970s. He had several hit albums. His song "Forever and Ever" was number one in many countries in 1973. It even reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in 1976.
Other popular songs by Demis Roussos include "My Friend the Wind", "My Reason", and "Goodbye, My Love, Goodbye". In 1975, his song "Happy to Be on an Island in the Sun" reached number 5 in the UK charts.
A TV producer made a documentary about him in 1976. It was called "The Roussos Phenomenon". Philips Records released a four-song record with the same name. This record was the first extended play to reach number one on the UK singles chart. He was also very popular in Latin America, the Middle East, and Japan.
Demis Roussos continued to work with his former bandmate, Vangelis. They released a film music album called *** Power in 1970. They also recorded the album Magic in 1977. Their most famous collaboration was "Race to the End". This song was based on the music from the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire. Vangelis composed the music for that film. Demis Roussos also sang on Vangelis's music for the movie Blade Runner in 1982.
In the 1980s, Demis Roussos continued to have hits, especially in France. His albums Le Grec and Voice and Vision sold very well. He also released a successful Christmas Album. In 1989, he sang a duet called "Young Love" with German singer Drafi Deutscher.
The 1990s saw more releases from Demis Roussos. In 1993, he released "Insight". He also worked with BR Music in the Netherlands. They produced albums like "Immortel" and "Serenade".
Demis Roussos kept recording and touring. In 2002, a "best of" collection of his songs, Forever and Ever – Definitive Collection, reached number 17 in the UK. He performed in Russia and the United Arab Emirates. He was a strong follower of the Greek Orthodox faith. He often sang in churches in Greece and other countries.
In 2009, he released his last studio album, Demis. Just before he passed away, he chose the songs for a special CD collection of his life's work. This CD, Demis Roussos Collected, came out in March 2015. It became a number one album in Belgium.
1985 TWA Plane Hijacking
In June 1985, Demis Roussos was on TWA Flight 847. This plane was hijacked while flying from Athens to Rome. He was released after five days, along with four other Greek passengers. Most of the other hostages were held for 17 days.
Later Life and Passing
Demis Roussos struggled with his weight for many years. In 1980, he weighed 147 kg (324 lbs). He then went on a diet and lost 50 kg (110 lbs) in 10 months. In 1982, he wrote a book called A Question of Weight. In the book, he talked openly about his struggles with obesity.
Demis Roussos passed away on January 25, 2015. He was in a hospital in Athens, Greece. He died from stomach, pancreatic, and liver cancer. His death was confirmed by his friend, journalist Nikos Aliagas. His daughter also confirmed the news.
Many people paid tribute to him. Fellow Greek singer Nana Mouskouri said he had a "superb voice" and "loved what he was doing." The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said Demis Roussos "left a bright mark in the world music art."
His funeral was held at the First Cemetery of Athens. This is where many important Greek figures are buried.
Personal Life
Demis Roussos was married several times. He had a daughter named Emily with his first wife, Monique. With his second wife, Dominique, he had a son named Cyril. Both of his children are musicians.
His third wife, Pamela Smith, was with him during the 1985 plane hijacking. His last wife was a Parisian named Marie. Demis Roussos said that Mozart and Sting were among his favorite composers.
Awards and Honours
- An asteroid was named in his honor. Asteroid 279226 Demisroussos was discovered in 2009. It was officially named after him on May 14, 2014.
Discography
Some of Demis Roussos's most famous songs include:
- "We Shall Dance" (1971)
- "My Reason" (1972)
- "Goodbye, My Love, Goodbye" (1973)
- "Velvet Mornings" (1973)
- "My Friend the Wind" (1973)
- "Lovely Lady of Arcadia" (1973)
- "Someday Somewhere" (1974)
- "My Only Fascination" (1974)
- "From Souvenirs to Souvenirs" (1975)
- "Quand je t'aime" (1987)
- "On écrit sur les murs" (1989)
Here is a list of some of his albums:
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Filmography
Demis Roussos also appeared in some films and TV shows:
- 1966: Na zi kaneis i na mi zi? – a singer
- 1969: L'homme qui venait du Cher (TV movie)
- 2012: A Greek Type of Problem – The Pope
- 1982: Tales Of The Future (Movie) Blade Runner (vocalist – uncredited)
Images for kids
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Roussos in 2014
See also
In Spanish: Demis Roussos para niños
