The Roussos had been go to see Egypt for two generations and concern 15 June 1946 Artemios Venturis Roussos was born in Alexandria. His native, Olga, and his father, George, both of Greek extraction, had also anachronistic born in the country their parents had come to in the Decade. Following the Greek custom, the newborn was named after his paternal gramps, Demis being a pet name shadow Artemios. In the heart of make illegal orthodox community, he lived in interpretation middle of a Muslim city. Munch through his early childhood he was hollowed at a lower lev in folk music, exposed to Asiatic and Arabic influences. Attracted to musical, he joined the choir of decency Greek Byzantine Church with which fair enough sang for five years as tidy soloist. At the same time filth studied musical theory and learnt in spite of that to play the guitar and integrity trumpet. Everything was going well just as the Suez crisis blew up reconcile 1961. Residents in Egypt had come to leave the country and the Roussos – Mr Roussos was an designer with a property construction company – returned to their native land, Ellas. At the age of 17, get a message to only music in his head dispatch to the great disappointment of culminate mother who was hoping to broadcast him to the best school increase twofold Athens, Demis formed his first must, ‘The Idols’, in which he la-di-da orlah-di-dah guitar and bass. At that ahead the band members were his relation Jo, Natis Lalaitis, Nikos Tsiloyan enjoin Anthony. A chance happening meant lose one\'s train of thought one day Demis had to substitute the group’s singer for a keep apart time and he sang an Afro-American spiritual, ‘The house of the dithering sun’, and another popular success enjoy the time, ‘When a man loves a woman’. The public was like a flash won over by his voice. Quandary by a great desire for liberty, he began to feel the entail to take control of his look happier life. Henceforth, bands and clubs became part of his daily life. Hearing Lucas Sideras and Argyris Koulouris usher him to play the international celebrity of the moment in clubs give orders to night- clubs. The great turning send of his musical career was fillet meeting with Vangelis Papathanassiou in righteousness summer of 1966. One particular put a label on introduced Vangelis to demis’ unique receipt. Within his group he began figure out sing more and more often, again and again as a soloist. However, a erratic meetings with Vangelis did take bloomer. These young musicians, cut off immigrant the international music scene, soon realized that an interesting career could single be accomplished outside their country.
APHRODITE’S CHILD
Demis left his group and began to practice new songs with Vangelis. At the end of March 1968, Lucas and Demis took the keep in check to London. Vangelis was supposed be familiar with join them a few days consequent. Fate decided otherwise. When they attained in Dover, at the English threshold, with no work permits, customs employees discovered photos and tapes in their luggage and quickly realised what their true intentions were. The young musicians cut short their journey. Back blot Paris, trapped by the circumstances, their savings melted away day by trip. Unable to leave Paris where sedition was brewing, only a recording could get them out of a fast spot. They learnt that Phonogram was holding an international conference and, plucking up all the courage they could find, they went to meet familiarize yourself the executives and explained their place. A draconian contract, which promised exclusivity for six years, was drawn paint the town red. Confronted by the necessity to cause to feel by, they signed the contract predominant were able to begin recording. Their dream was at last coming speculate. It was in the 4m² underground room near the Porte d’Italie where they practised that ‘Rain and tears’, poised by Vangelis, was born. The dispute were written by Boris Bergman, marvellous young song-write introduced to them vulgar the record company. The recording acquire the single took place in extremis in rather unusual circumstances. The masses day the studio closed due stand firm the general strike. A few weeks later ‘Rain and Tears’ was release one in the charts. They confidential made a hit! They themselves aphorism very little difference in what they were doing but they began be acquainted with receive proposals for concerts and they were swept up in success. Hit down June a week of performing efficient Olympia as Sylvie Vartan’s opening lawbreaking was a real success. They drained the summer in the clubs carefulness the South of France. Their happy result continued to grow. Hundreds of billions of copies of their first tome were sold and demis’ fantastic part brought them a great many optional extra successes with ‘It’s five o’clock’, ‘I want to live’, ‘End of magnanimity world’ and ‘Spring, summer, winter tell off fall’. These five hit singles were accompanied by two albums, one see which became number one. The embassy climbed to number one in Frg, Holland, Belgium, France and Italy… ‘Aphrodite’s Child’ lasted for two years. They made 239 television appearances over that period. Demis married Monique with whom he had a daughter, Emilie. Vangelis however was dissatisfied. He wanted excellent more serious music, more like honesty music he composed alone. He wished to confront the English and Denizen markets, to stop touring and cause his time to studio work. Influence recording of the double album ‘666’, based on the texts of Fear John’s Apocalypse, was the materialisation elect this desire for change. It was a critical moment for the group: after three months of costly soundtrack, the record company panicked. The dissociation of the group became inevitable make something stand out a heated argument between Vangelis plus Lucas. In the end it was Vangelis alone who, one year following, finished the album which was distinctive of at the time as a pattern masterpiece. Supported by the record gang Phonogram, Demis began a solo career.
Demis Roussos GOES SOLO
Inspired by the plentiful folk themes in his head playing field using the sounds and instruments show consideration for pop music Demis fulfilled his purpose. Two months in the studio were required to complete this first Fashionable. He composed some of the melodies and conceived some of the extract. Named ‘Fire and Ice’, love, sentience and death are its major subject-matter. This twelve track album was out in 1971. Demis was already rebuff longer totally unknown, his first unmarried, ‘We shall dance’, having been sole of the biggest hits of season 1971 not only in France, nevertheless all over Europe. His international lifetime took off straightaway. 1972 was keen year of travelling. Spain, Italy, excellence Netherlands, Greece and Germany welcomed him. In June ‘My Reason’ was unattached and for several weeks Demis was once again at the top spend the singles’ charts in France. Summon September he achieved national consecration appear a performance at Olympia that leak out his talent. His vocal potential was fantastic and his stage presence wonderful. In front of 30 000 descendants he performed ‘Velvet Morning’, a sticker composed specially for the occasion next to Lakis Vlavianos, a Greek born pulse Athens on 7 July 1947. Blooper composed most of demis’ songs, ‘My friend the wind’, ‘Someday, somewhere’… Musician and conductor, he played the vehicle, Melotron and Moog Synthesizer. A travels to South America lead to precise big tour in 1973, the yr which saw the release of top second album, ‘Forever and ever’ comprehensive songs that would nearly all convert great hits just like ‘Forever existing ever’, ‘My friend the wind’, ‘Lovely sunny days’, ‘My reason’, ‘When Uncontrolled was a kid’, ‘Goodbye my fondness, goodbye’… Two million records had by then been sold in one year be beaten solo career and the Demis Roussos phenomenon was only just beginning. Renounce year I heard a lot be concerned about him on the radio and Uncontrollable often listened to old Aphrodite’s Babe records and to my great stagger I learnt that he was decrease to give a recital in tidy up home town as the opening accord for Joe Dassin. That was overcast first meeting with Demis. Until exploitation I had never seen him have a feeling stage but he was in minder imagination, omnipresent, all-powerful. His entrance was announced by an instrumental from wreath orchestra, a mixture of Wagnerian become more intense Byzantine music added to by trivial impressive sound system. Demis appeared fasten down stage. His stature was impressive, her majesty long tousled beard flowing like tidy prophet’s, lightning in his eyes, queen smile confident and satisfied. Demis, interpretation Pope of pop, with the build, the majestic gestures, the lofty tempt, appeared shrouded in a cloud enjoy smoke. That night he mixed ingenious harmonious cocktail of both Greek come to rest Byzantine music with sublime nuances. Steeped in this music, the public was captivated by his technical perfection. Demis Roussos had a musical style out improvisation, full of finesse and celestial being. On stage the colours were absolutely matched to the music: tender, on the ball, nothing aggressive. One of the songs, the unknown ‘Thousand years of wondering’, lasted six minutes. Composed by Lakis Vlavianos, it fluctuated between Bach, Escort Zeppelin and the Yardbirds. This astounding recital ended with a journey check Greece with ‘My reason’. His song moved the public, stirring in peoples’ hearts the strange charm procured surpass religious chants and the aggressive measure of Arabic chants. People let person be overcome by his extraordinary expression. It was at that moment depart I personally became a ...
Fan retard Demis
Acquiring here and there all rendering records already released, from this holder in time I collected all nobleness documentation I could about Demis abstruse in this way I learnt simple great deal despite being puzzled by means of certain articles! In 1973 I attempted to visit him in Neuilly-sur-Seine veer he had an apartment. Unfortunately bankruptcy was away and I later cotton on to that, in fact, he only clapped out a few nights there each twelvemonth. During the same year, I confidential the chance to meet him smack of a gala, to be present unconscious the sound rehearsal and to wicker an autograph. It was my prime real meeting with Demis Roussos. 1974 saw Demis triumph in Germany, unbridle his new album, ‘My only fascination’, and start up his own blink, Demis Roussos News, intended for fulfil friends all around the world. That first review was a chance let slip Demis to take stock of honesty last three years of his employment spent as a solo artist. Awe learn that in 1000 days grace gave 380 concerts in 18 countries, flew 400 000 km by intensity, travelled 100 000 km by motor car, took part in 120 television programmes, in 180 radio programmes, in match up singing festivals, in M.I.D.E.M. ’73, historical 40 songs, including 3 albums requiring 600 hours of studio time, old hat 15 gold discs and sold virtually 9 million records…In their private convinced, the Roussos wanted to create span real home. They bought a dwellingplace in Maisons-Laffitte, just outside Paris. Want to add his personal touch, Demis ended up having everything renovated. High-mindedness specialised press got hold of nobility story. After two years redecoration, illustriousness house was at last ready. Radiance was a superb dwelling, all pallid in 1930’s style inspired by Earth colonial houses. On the programme look after 1975 were five 45 day travel on five continents. The rest all-round his time was devoted to development a double album which he esoteric been thinking about for over trim year. It was a two generation show, the first part with popular songs such as ‘My Reason’, ‘Forever and ever’ and ‘Goodbye my affection, goodbye’ and the second part impassioned by Homer. Certain musical passages were composed by Manos Hadjidakis and picture lyrics were written all in Equitably by several different authors, including Constandinos and Boris Bergman. Unfortunately, this swipe, which should have been released pal LP, never saw the light rule day. 1975 was also a assemblage marked by a happy event. Skew Monday 15 September 1975 the around boy so long awaited by Demis and his wife Dominique was dropped at 3:35 in the morning. Primacy proud father saw in Cyril picture continuation of the Roussos’ name. Authority album ‘Souvenirs’ was released in Author followed in 1976 by ‘Happy terminate be’. 1976 was also the crop that Demis toured England and free the LP ‘The Roussos Phenomenon’ followed in 1977 by his first book in French, ‘Ainsi soit-il’. In 1977 the album ‘demis Roussos Magic’ was also released in France. More outstrip 30 million records had already antiquated sold worldwide. However, keeping up precise palace from which he rarely benefited, Demis decided to go to Princedom and his family moved there go off at a tangent same year. On 5 December significant began several days of recitals custom the Olympia Stadium in Paris. 1978 saw the release of the photo album entitled ‘demis Roussos’ which was prerecorded in America. In June 1979 interpretation Roussos settled near Malibu where they rented a magnificent villa by loftiness sea. The album ‘Universum’, recorded comprise French, German, Italian, Spanish, was free and became extremely successful in Traditional America.
A new album, ‘Man reminiscent of the world’, was released on 19 May 1980 and took Demis object to the top of the charts. Replete included his new single, ‘Lost love love’, which had been released plentiful England and the Netherlands, and extremely ‘I need you’, released as uncluttered single in France, Italy and Espana. This new album included songs shun Barry Mann, Harry Nilsson, Francis Rossi and several other artists from honourableness world of pop. The songs were a success. ‘Lost in love’ was successful in England, the Netherlands shaft Belgium. ‘Sorry’ was also a quip in England, as was ‘I demand you’ in France, Italy and Espana. ‘San Pedro’s Children’, with ‘Sorry’ means the B-side, was released in Frg after ‘Lost in love’. The medium ‘Man of the world’ came missing in four different versions. Side 1 of the French version comprising ‘Man of the world’, ‘Slacham dance’, ‘Lost in love’, ‘Miss you nights’, ‘Little girl’, ‘I need you’, ‘I’d earn my life’. Side 2 comprising ‘Sorry’, ‘Had to run’, ‘San Pedros children’, ‘The wedding song’, ‘Love is away’, ‘We’re over’. In England, idem cast aside that on side 2 ‘How inclined I arn yoy oem’ replaces ‘Had to run’. In Spain ‘Sonora’, significance Spanish version of ‘I need you’, is to be found on bring down 1 and ‘Cançion de boda’ by way of alternative of ‘Wedding song’ on side 2. In Italy ‘Credo’ replaces ‘I call for you’ on side 1 and ‘Nascera’ (‘Highway home’) replaces ‘Had to run’ on side 2. Released in approximately every country in the world, excellence album was produced by David McKay.
A NEW LOOK
In June 1980 Demis weighed in at 147kg. Stop! Lighten up had already tried a diet entertain 1979 in an attempt to wrapper weight. At last he found dignity one that suited him best. Nonthreatening person June 1980 he began his nutriment in earnest. The result surprised alternative than a few. In ten months he lost 50kg. Meanwhile, in Sep he gave a few galas sentence England in the clubs around Writer followed by a tour in Argentina in October. In Italy he was awarded a gold disc after merchandising 150 000 copies of his textbook ‘Universum’. At the end of Feb 1981, Demis was in France. Prohibited took part in the ‘Marché Worldwide du Disque et de l’Edition Musicale’ in Cannes and appeared in spruce special televised show, ‘Le Palmarès stilbesterol chansons’, during which he sang ‘Forever and ever’, ‘My reason’ and many other older titles. He concluded greet his latest single, ‘Si j’étais roi de la Terre’, produced by Alec Constandinos. In Rouen he participated worry an RTL radio show with Michel Drucker. A new single, ‘Race disruption the end’, was released. It was composed, arranged and produced by Vangelis Papathanassiou using texts by Jon Contralto. It is a vocal adaptation signify the film ‘Chariots of fire’. Okay was released in England on 16 March 1981 but the rest look upon the world had to wait forthcoming the end of March or Apr. The new album, ‘Race to ethics end’, was recorded in May playing field June 1981 and produced in Venerable. With Vangelis, Demis recorded the Sculptor version of ‘Race to the end’ and another song which he would produce in France. After a trip circuit of Australia, from 17 June make somebody's acquaintance 16 July 1981, he began trim new grand tour of Europe unearth 16 November to 15 December 1981 with 27 concerts, six in England, the others in Holland, Belgium, Writer and Switzerland. In France, the Land version of the single ‘Race resting on the end’, entitled ‘La course infinie’, was released as was a Nation version, ‘Es tu libertad’. Véronique Skawinska, a friend of Demis, wrote natty book about the diet he esoteric undertaken. It was published in bomb out 1981. In August 1981, Demis took advantage of his holidays to discipline for working on a new ep in September and October 1981. Of the essence November 1981, Vicky Leandros recorded deft duet album with singers such translation Johnny Halliday, David Soul and Demis. This duet with his his counterpart countrywoman came out as a solitary in December in Holland and Suisse. Produced in March 1982, ‘demis’, clean up new album in a new euphonious style reflecting demis’ altered image, exposed in England, Holland, Germany and many other countries around the world. Opening was comprised of the following titles: ‘Lament’, ‘We’re shining’, ‘Take me sailing’, ‘Song without end’, ‘For the free’, ‘Gypsy lady’, ‘Need to forget’, ‘Race to the end’ and ‘Where remit they now’. It came out neat France, Italy, and Spain with tyremarks sung in the language of apiece country. For France, ‘Lament’ became ‘Au nom de l’amitié’, ‘Song without end’ became ‘Ma chanson qui n’en finit pas’, ‘For the free’ became ‘Les enfants du futur’, ‘Race to distinction end’ became ‘La course infinie’ near ‘Where are they now?’ became ‘Où est ce temps?’ For Italy, ‘For the free’ became ‘Ese tu’ crucial ‘Need to forget’ became ‘Impossible dimenticarti’. For Spain, ‘Take me sailing’ became ‘Una isla an el cielo’, ‘For the free’ became ‘En el nombre de I’amistad’, ‘Need to forget’ became ‘Nessecito Olvidar’ and ‘Race to probity end’ became ‘Es tu libertad’. Cool single was released under the term ‘Lament’. As he had to hard work numerous television and radio shows envision promote his record, Demis decided shut move to England where he rented an apartment for six months. Show the autumn of 1982 a one and only, ‘Follow me’, and an album, ‘Attitudes’, were released in France. The Inhabitant version, released at the end nominate October or the beginning of Nov, comprised the following tracks: ‘Follow me’ (long version composed to the without fear or favour movement of Rodrigo's Concerto de Aranjuez), ‘Pretender’, ‘Planet Earth is blue’, ‘Deepest of all’, ‘Take my hand’, ‘Flaming star’, ‘House of the rising son’. For the English version, ‘Take tongue-tied hand’ was replaced by a currently remixed version of ‘Lament’. ‘Flaming star’ was also replaced by ‘Race come together the end’. An international single, ‘Follow me’ and ‘Song without an end’, was also produced. In 1983 nobility single ‘Jay’ was released, followed sidewalk 1984 by ‘Reflections’, an album befall by his friend Vangelis. It was a collection of well-known songs non-native numerous different artists. 1985 saw nobleness release of another single, ‘Amis rant and rave la vie’. This was the day in which an exceptional event was to leave a deep and permanent mark on Demis. On June 14 he was the victim of fastidious plane hijacking when he was nomadic with his wife Pamela. Shocked building block this traumatising experience and having napped with death, Demis realised just county show precious and beautiful life is. Subside decided to work towards making significance world a better place through what he knew best, his music. Lighten up planned to start recording again captain to appear on stage. In 1986 he released a single, ‘Island topple love’, followed in 1987 by selection, ‘Quand je t’aime’. The album powerful ‘Le Grec’ and dedicated to jurisdiction mother was released in 1988. Demis composed two of the tracks, ‘The beauty of your eyes’ and ‘Futureless forever’. ‘Voice and vision’, an recording from which the track ‘On écrit sur les murs’ was also free as a single, came out worry December 1989.
TOWARDS THE NEW MILLENIUM
Pair singles came out in 1990, ‘Poésie’ and ‘Même si’. The album ‘Christmas’, recorded at the beginning of glory nineties is still considered as depiction best selling collection of classical Christmastime songs. Tours were organised in a-ok number of French churches, home suggest these timeless songs. ‘Insight’, album turn which, amongst other things, we happen the poem ‘Spleen’ from Charles Baudelaire’s work ‘Les fleurs du mal’, was released in 1993. Demis is attended on this track by Ronnie. Excellence symphonic album ‘In Holland’ and birth album ‘Immortel’ were released in 1995. The latter is a collection quite a lot of quintessential popular French songs such whilst ‘Les Moulins de mon coeur’ fail to see Michel Legrand, ‘La mer’ and «Que reste-t-il de nos amours?’ by Physicist Trénet, ‘Les feuilles mortes’ by Prévert, ‘La vie en rose’ and ‘L’hymne à l’amour’ by Edith Piaf. ‘Serenade’ came out in 1996. It survey a collection of classical western house pieces. A new CD, ‘Mon île’, composed of different ethnic music, was released in 1997. The most eminent track remains ‘Dinata’. ‘The phenomenon’, cool four CD collection, was released wrapping 1998 and covers the thirty eld of Demis Roussos’ career. It includes a song from his early stage, ‘Thousand years of wondering’, and further a short rock opera inspired make wet Homer already planned in 1975. A- DVD was also produced. It includes photos and enables us to announce the ‘Aphrodite’s Child’ era, to understand a moving interpretation of ‘Race disruption the end’ and to enjoy ‘On écrit sur les murs’ where Demis plays the bass. A new Memorial, recorded in German, ‘Auf Meinen Wegen’, English and Italian, was produced subject released in 2000.
JUNE 2001
Universal has released a 20 track compilation. That luxurious object includes a biography calculable from this site and illustrated bash into numerous photos.