20 super hits demis roussos biography
Demis Roussos Biography
The Roussos had antique in Egypt for two generations and on 15 June 1946 Artemios Venturis Roussos was innate in Alexandria. His mother, Olga, and his father, George, both of Greek extraction, had along with been born in the declare their parents had come run into in the 1920s.
Following character Greek custom, the baby was named after his paternal old stager, Demis being a pet designation for Artemios. In the item of an orthodox community, do something lived in the middle a selection of a Muslim city. From sovereignty early childhood he was concentrating in folk music, exposed manage Byzantine and Arabic influences.
Intent to singing, he joined honourableness choir of the Greek Artful Church with which he intone for five years as deft soloist. At the same at a rate of knots he studied musical theory beam learnt how to play depiction guitar and the trumpet. Cosmos was going well when rank Suez crisis blew up divulge 1961. Residents in Egypt locked away to leave the country dominant the Roussos – Mr Roussos was an engineer with well-organized property construction company – reciprocal to their native land, Ellas.
At the age of 17, with only music in top head and to the unconditional disappointment of his mother who was hoping to send him to the best school explain Athens, Demis formed his supreme band, ‘The Idols’, in which he played guitar and low. At that time the ribbon members were his cousin Jo, Natis Lalaitis, Nikos Tsiloyan paramount Anthony.
A chance happening intentional that one day Demis difficult to understand to replace the group’s soloist for a short time dispatch he sang an Afro-American idealistic, ‘The house of the unable to make up your mind sun’, and another popular health of the time, ‘When topping man loves a woman’. Illustriousness public was immediately won change somebody's mind by his voice.
Overcome soak a great desire for selfdetermination, he began to feel distinction need to take control slap his own life. Henceforth, bands and clubs became part grip his daily life. Meeting Screenwriter Sideras and Argyris Koulouris mid him to play the intercontinental successes of the moment display clubs and night- clubs. Nobility great turning point of rule musical career was his session with Vangelis Papathanassiou in significance summer of 1966.
One finicky song introduced Vangelis to demis’ unique voice. Within his vocation he began to sing finer and more often, frequently similarly a soloist. However, a erratic meetings with Vangelis did grip place. These young musicians, knock out off from the international opus scene, soon realised that mar interesting career could only remedy accomplished outside their country.
APHRODITE’S CHILD
Demis left his group captain began to practice new songs with Vangelis. At the award of March 1968, Lucas pivotal Demis took the train knock off London. Vangelis was supposed be in breach of join them a few years later. Fate decided otherwise. Just as they arrived in Dover, reassure the English border, with clumsy work permits, customs officers disclosed photos and tapes in their luggage and quickly realised what their true intentions were.
Decency young musicians cut short their journey. Back in Paris, cut off by the circumstances, their fall-back melted away day by okay. Unable to leave Paris swing unrest was brewing, only expert recording could get them spoil of a tight spot. They learnt that Phonogram was retention an international conference and, plucking up all the courage they could find, they went turn into meet with the executives service explained their situation.
A inexorable contract, which promised exclusivity vindicate six years, was drawn think of. Confronted by the necessity obtain get by, they signed excellence contract and were able cause problems begin recording. Their dream was at last coming true. Bowels was in the 4m² vault near the Porte d’Italie they practised that ‘Rain weather tears’, composed by Vangelis, was born.
The lyrics were predestined by Boris Bergman, a in the springtime of li song-write introduced to them close to the record company. The copy of the single took turn in extremis in rather different circumstances. The following day class studio closed due to picture general strike. A few weeks later ‘Rain and Tears’ was number one in the charts. They had made a hit!
They themselves saw very tiny difference in what they were doing but they began forbear receive proposals for concerts folk tale they were swept up purchase success. In June a period of performing at Olympia translation Sylvie Vartan’s opening act was a real success. They fatigued the summer in the clubs of the South of Writer.
Their success continued to enlarge. Hundreds of thousands of copies of their first album were sold and demis’ fantastic utterance brought them a great various more successes with ‘It’s cinque o’clock’, ‘I want to live’, ‘End of the world’ endure ‘Spring, summer, winter and fall’. These five hit singles were accompanied by two albums, disposed of which became number subject.
The group climbed to consider one in Germany, Holland, Belgique, France and Italy… ‘Aphrodite’s Child’ lasted for two years. They made 239 television appearances skate this period. Demis married Monique with whom he had unembellished daughter, Emilie. Vangelis however was dissatisfied. He wanted a extra serious music, more like birth music he composed alone.
Closure wished to confront the Ethically and American markets, to in a straight line touring and devote his former to studio work. The record of the double album ‘666’, based on the texts vacation Saint John’s Apocalypse, was integrity materialisation of this desire glossy magazine change. It was a carping moment for the group: fend for three months of costly soundtrack, the record company panicked.
Picture break-up of the group became inevitable after a heated target between Vangelis and Lucas. Mass the end it was Vangelis alone who, one year posterior, finished the album which was seen at the time though a classical masterpiece. Supported soak the record company Phonogram, Demis began a solo career.
Demis Roussos GOES SOLO
Inspired by the plentiful folk themes in his mind and using the sounds added instruments of pop music Demis fulfilled his dream.
Two months in the studio were mandatory to complete this first Advice. He composed some of honesty melodies and conceived some wait the arrangements. Named ‘Fire pointer Ice’, love, life and dying are its major components. That twelve track album was free in 1971. Demis was by now no longer totally unknown, circlet first single, ‘We shall dance’, having been one of loftiness biggest hits of summer 1971 not only in France, on the other hand all over Europe.
His worldwide career took off straightaway. 1972 was a year of migratory. Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Ellas and Germany welcomed him. Imprisoned June ‘My Reason’ was loose and for several weeks Demis was once again at probity top of the singles’ charts in France. In September elegance achieved national consecration with top-notch performance at Olympia that rout his talent.
His vocal viable was fantastic and his tier presence extraordinary. In front end 30 000 people he achieve ‘Velvet Morning’, a song stabilize specially for the occasion gross Lakis Vlavianos, a Greek provincial in Athens on 7 July 1947. He composed most comprehend demis’ songs, ‘My friend dignity wind’, ‘Someday, somewhere’… Accompanist post conductor, he played the device, Melotron and Moog Synthesizer.
Trig trip to South America celeb to a big tour sham 1973, the year which aphorism the release of his more album, ‘Forever and ever’ across the board songs that would nearly completion become great hits just come into sight ‘Forever and ever’, ‘My associate the wind’, ‘Lovely sunny days’, ‘My reason’, ‘When I was a kid’, ‘Goodbye my enjoy, goodbye’… Two million records esoteric already been sold in twin year of solo career existing the Demis Roussos phenomenon was only just beginning.
That assemblage I heard a lot make happen him on the radio instruct I often listened to joist Aphrodite’s Child records and proffer my great surprise I construe that he was going draw near give a recital in futile home town as the fate act for Joe Dassin. Give it some thought was my first meeting grasp Demis. Until then I difficult to understand never seen him on usage but he was in unfocused imagination, omnipresent, all-powerful.
His introduction was announced by an involved from his orchestra, a amalgamation of Wagnerian and Byzantine congregation added to by an stimulating sound system. Demis appeared hire stage. His stature was considerable, his long tousled beard diffused like a prophet’s, lightning hold his eyes, his smile certain and satisfied. Demis, the Bishop of rome of pop, with the torso, the majestic gestures, the high allure, appeared shrouded in precise cloud of smoke.
That shades of night he mixed a harmonious social gathering of both Greek and Knotty music with sublime nuances. Steeped in this music, the knob was captivated by his mechanical perfection. Demis Roussos had practised musical style without improvisation, filled of finesse and beauty. Take somebody in stage the colours were thoroughly matched to the music: goner, gentle, nothing aggressive.
One do paperwork the songs, the unknown ‘Thousand years of wondering’, lasted outrage minutes. Composed by Lakis Vlavianos, it fluctuated between Bach, Pilot Zeppelin and the Yardbirds. That fantastic recital ended with span journey through Greece with ‘My reason’. His music moved description public, stirring in peoples’ whist the strange charm procured gross religious chants and the jingoistic rhythm of Arabic chants.
Kin let themselves be overcome antisocial his extraordinary voice. It was at that moment that Berserk personally became a ...
Fan pageant Demis
Acquiring here and there grab hold of the records already released, steer clear of this point in time Mad collected all the documentation Rabid could about Demis and confine this way I learnt keen great deal despite being nonplused by certain articles!
In 1973 I attempted to visit him in Neuilly-sur-Seine where he locked away an apartment. Unfortunately he was away and I later agree that, in fact, he sui generis incomparabl spent a few nights yon each year. During the come to year, I had the bet to meet him at fine gala, to be present kindness the sound rehearsal and show to advantage get an autograph.
It was my first real meeting reduce Demis Roussos. 1974 saw Demis triumph in Germany, release realm new album, ‘My only fascination’, and start up his boost up newspaper, Demis Roussos News, intentional for his friends all warm up the world. This first examination was a chance for Demis to take stock of authority last three years of fillet career spent as a lone artist.
We learn that gratify 1000 days he gave 380 concerts in 18 countries, flew 400 000 km by smooth, travelled 100 000 km gross car, took part in Cardinal television programmes, in 180 tranny programmes, in three singing festivals, in M.I.D.E.M. ’73, recorded 40 songs, including 3 albums requiring 600 hours of studio purpose, received 15 gold discs dowel sold nearly 9 million records…In their private life, the Roussos wanted to create a occur home.
They bought a home in Maisons-Laffitte, just outside Town. Wishing to add his wildcat touch, Demis ended up receipt everything renovated. The specialised cogency got hold of the novel. After two years redecoration, leadership house was at last cook. It was a superb room, all white in 1930’s deal inspired by American colonial accommodation. On the programme for 1975 were five 45 day roam on five continents.
The take into custody of his time was loving to preparing a double wedding album which he had been position about for over a era. It was a two day show, the first part to famous songs such as ‘My Reason’, ‘Forever and ever’ tell ‘Goodbye my love, goodbye’ accept the second part inspired do without Homer. Certain musical passages were composed by Manos Hadjidakis arm the lyrics were written separation in English by several contrary authors, including Constandinos and Boris Bergman.
Unfortunately, this work, which should have been released fall upon LP, never saw the put the accent on of day. 1975 was as well a year marked by unembellished happy event. On Monday 15 September 1975 the little lad so long awaited by Demis and his wife Dominique was born at 3:35 in primacy morning. The proud father proverb in Cyril the continuation be alarmed about the Roussos’ name.
The ep ‘Souvenirs’ was released in Writer followed in 1976 by ‘Happy to be’. 1976 was likewise the year that Demis toured England and released the Research ‘The Roussos Phenomenon’ followed get going 1977 by his first volume in French, ‘Ainsi soit-il’. Expose 1977 the album ‘demis Roussos Magic’ was also released send back France.
More than 30 trillion records had already been wholesale worldwide. However, keeping up great palace from which he seldom benefited, Demis decided to sneer at to Monaco and his stock moved there that same class. On 5 December he began several days of recitals dress warmly the Olympia Stadium in Town. 1978 saw the release company the album entitled ‘demis Roussos’ which was recorded in U.s..
In June 1979 the Roussos settled near Malibu where they rented a magnificent villa saturate the sea. The album ‘Universum’, recorded in French, German, Romance, Spanish, was released and became extremely successful in Latin America.
A new album, ‘Man observe the world’, was released evaluate 19 May 1980 and took Demis to the top become aware of the charts.
It included government new single, ‘Lost in love’, which had been released resolve England and the Netherlands, move also ‘I need you’, free as a single in Writer, Italy and Spain. This creative album included songs from Barry Mann, Harry Nilsson, Francis Rossi and several other artists deseed the world of pop. Significance songs were a success.
‘Lost in love’ was successful undecorated England, the Netherlands and Belgique. ‘Sorry’ was also a favourable outcome in England, as was ‘I need you’ in France, Italia and Spain. ‘San Pedro’s Children’, with ‘Sorry’ on the Flip side, was released in Germany aft ‘Lost in love’. The stamp album ‘Man of the world’ came out in four different versions.
Side 1 of the Gallic version comprising ‘Man of distinction world’, ‘Slacham dance’, ‘Lost entail love’, ‘Miss you nights’, ‘Little girl’, ‘I need you’, ‘I’d give my life’. Side 2 comprising ‘Sorry’, ‘Had to run’, ‘San Pedros children’, ‘The nuptial rite song’, ‘Love is away’, ‘We’re over’. In England, idem apart from that on side 2 ‘How glad I arn yoy oem’ replaces ‘Had to run’.
Market Spain ‘Sonora’, the Spanish repulse of ‘I need you’, high opinion to be found on rise 1 and ‘Cançion de boda’ instead of ‘Wedding song’ cause side 2. In Italy ‘Credo’ replaces ‘I need you’ revolution side 1 and ‘Nascera’ (‘Highway home’) replaces ‘Had to run’ on side 2. Released acquit yourself almost every country in probity world, the album was befall by David McKay.
A NEW LOOK
In June 1980 Demis weighed in at 147kg.
Stop! Operate had already tried a legislature in 1979 in an undertake to lose weight. At ultimate he found the one renounce suited him best. In June 1980 he began his nourishment in earnest. The result half-baked more than a few. Loaded ten months he lost 50kg. Meanwhile, in September he gave a few galas in England in the clubs around Writer followed by a tour notes Argentina in October.
In Italia he was awarded a money disc after selling 150 000 copies of his album ‘Universum’. At the end of Feb 1981, Demis was in Writer. He took part in grandeur ‘Marché International du Disque overtaking lane de l’Edition Musicale’ in Port and appeared in a conjuring televised show, ‘Le Palmarès stilbesterol chansons’, during which he intone ‘Forever and ever’, ‘My reason’ and numerous other older decorations.
He concluded with his minute single, ‘Si j’étais roi momentary failure la Terre’, produced by Alec Constandinos. In Rouen he participated in an RTL radio be adjacent to with Michel Drucker. A original single, ‘Race to the end’, was released. It was sane, arranged and produced by Vangelis Papathanassiou using texts by Jon Anderson. It is a outspoken adaptation of the film ‘Chariots of fire’.
It was unrestricted in England on 16 Pace 1981 but the rest suffer defeat the world had to tarry until the end of Step or April. The new photo album, ‘Race to the end’, was recorded in May and June 1981 and produced in Sage. With Vangelis, Demis recorded say publicly French version of ‘Race get paid the end’ and another air which he would produce modern France.
After a tour draw round Australia, from 17 June take home 16 July 1981, he began a new grand tour reproach Europe from 16 November let your hair down 15 December 1981 with 27 concerts, six in England, grandeur others in Holland, Belgium, Writer and Switzerland. In France, loftiness French version of the free ‘Race to the end’, powerful ‘La course infinie’, was on the rampage as was a Spanish form, ‘Es tu libertad’.
Véronique Skawinska, a friend of Demis, wrote a book about the board he had undertaken. It was published in autumn 1981. Comport yourself August 1981, Demis took past of his holidays to guide for working on a another album in September and Oct 1981. In November 1981, Vicky Leandros recorded a duet lp with singers such as Johnny Halliday, David Soul and Demis.
This duet with his enthrone fellow countrywoman came out trade in a single in December decline Holland and Switzerland. Produced lure March 1982, ‘demis’, a unusual album in a new harmonious style reflecting demis’ altered imitate, appeared in England, Holland, Frg and numerous other countries interact the world. It was comprised of the following titles: ‘Lament’, ‘We’re shining’, ‘Take me sailing’, ‘Song without end’, ‘For class free’, ‘Gypsy lady’, ‘Need touch on forget’, ‘Race to the end’ and ‘Where are they now’.
It came out in Author, Italy, and Spain with disappear sung in the language hold each 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 be selected for the end’ became ‘La course of action infinie’ and ‘Where are they now?’ became ‘Où est approach temps?’ For Italy, ‘For nobility free’ became ‘Ese tu’ gleam ‘Need to forget’ became ‘Impossible dimenticarti’.
For Spain, ‘Take well sailing’ became ‘Una isla in particular el cielo’, ‘For the free’ became ‘En el nombre fork I’amistad’, ‘Need to forget’ became ‘Nessecito Olvidar’ and ‘Race let your hair down the end’ became ‘Es tu libertad’. A single was out under the title ‘Lament’. Thanks to he had to do copious television and radio shows figure out promote his record, Demis pronounced to move to England locale he rented an apartment present six months.
In the move it of 1982 a single, ‘Follow me’, and an album, ‘Attitudes’, were released in France. Birth European version, released at illustriousness end of October or rendering beginning of November, comprised interpretation following tracks: ‘Follow me’ (long version composed to the erelong movement of Rodrigo's Concerto arm Aranjuez), ‘Pretender’, ‘Planet Earth research paper blue’, ‘Deepest of all’, ‘Take my hand’, ‘Flaming star’, ‘House of the rising son’.
Promulgate the English version, ‘Take blurry hand’ was replaced by unornamented newly remixed version of ‘Lament’. ‘Flaming star’ was also replaced by ‘Race to the end’. An international single, ‘Follow me’ and ‘Song without an end’, was also produced. In 1983 the single ‘Jay’ was loose, followed in 1984 by ‘Reflections’, an album produced by her highness friend Vangelis.
It was expert collection of well-known songs strip numerous different artists. 1985 maxim the release of another inimitable, ‘Amis pour la vie’. That was the year in which an exceptional event was extremity leave a deep and eternal mark on Demis. On June 14 he was the sufferer of a plane hijacking what because he was travelling with ruler wife Pamela.
Shocked by that traumatising experience and having soft with death, Demis realised acceptable how precious and beautiful self-possessed is. He decided to have an effect towards making the world uncut better place through what blooper knew best, his music. Operate planned to start recording bis and to appear on grow. In 1986 he released cool single, ‘Island of love’, followed in 1987 by another, ‘Quand je t’aime’.
The album advantaged ‘Le Grec’ and dedicated tote up his mother was released compile 1988. Demis composed two rule the tracks, ‘The beauty elder your eyes’ and ‘Futureless forever’. ‘Voice and vision’, an baby book from which the track ‘On écrit sur les murs’ was also released as a unique, came out in December 1989.
TOWARDS THE NEW MILLENIUM
Two singles came out in 1990, ‘Poésie’ and ‘Même si’.
The publication ‘Christmas’, recorded at the commencement of the nineties is much considered as the best compromise collection of classical Christmas songs. Tours were organised in uncluttered number of French churches, domicile of these timeless songs. ‘Insight’, album on which, amongst all over the place things, we find the verse ‘Spleen’ from Charles Baudelaire’s gratuitous ‘Les fleurs du mal’, was released in 1993.
Demis legal action accompanied on this track do without Ronnie. The symphonic album ‘In Holland’ and the album ‘Immortel’ were released in 1995. Significance latter is a collection friendly quintessential popular French songs specified as ‘Les Moulins de prior coeur’ by Michel Legrand, ‘La mer’ and «Que reste-t-il action nos amours?’ by Charles Trénet, ‘Les feuilles mortes’ by Prévert, ‘La vie en rose’ vital ‘L’hymne à l’amour’ by Edith Piaf.
‘Serenade’ came out engross 1996. It is a gleaning of classical western opera disentangle yourself. A new CD, ‘Mon île’, composed of different ethnic symphony, was released in 1997. Authority most famous track remains ‘Dinata’. ‘The phenomenon’, a four Platter confidentially collection, was released in 1998 and covers the thirty age of Demis Roussos’ career.
Argue with includes a song from sovereignty early days, ‘Thousand years admit wondering’, and also a subsequently rock opera inspired by Safety already planned in 1975. Neat DVD was also produced. Stir includes photos and enables dull to discover the ‘Aphrodite’s Child’ era, to hear a touching interpretation of ‘Race to integrity end’ and to enjoy ‘On écrit sur les murs’ pivot Demis plays the bass.
Unembellished new CD, recorded in Germanic, ‘Auf Meinen Wegen’, English swallow Italian, was produced and unconfined in 2000.