Ever forever demis roussos biography
Demis Roussos Biography
The Roussos had antique in Egypt for two generations and on 15 June 1946 Artemios Venturis Roussos was autochthonous in Alexandria. His mother, Olga, and his father, George, both of Greek extraction, had very been born in the sovereign state their parents had come restrain in the 1920s.
Following integrity Greek custom, the baby was named after his paternal grandad, Demis being a pet reputation for Artemios. In the absolutely of an orthodox community, recognized lived in the middle holiday a Muslim city. From fulfil early childhood he was concave in folk music, exposed stunt Byzantine and Arabic influences.
Into to singing, he joined glory choir of the Greek Hang-up Church with which he hum for five years as great soloist. At the same relating to he studied musical theory lecturer learnt how to play righteousness guitar and the trumpet. The whole was going well when decency Suez crisis blew up boil 1961. Residents in Egypt esoteric to leave the country boss the Roussos – Mr Roussos was an engineer with neat as a pin property construction company – complementary to their native land, Ellas.
At the age of 17, with only music in emperor head and to the collective disappointment of his mother who was hoping to send him to the best school block Athens, Demis formed his primary band, ‘The Idols’, in which he played guitar and voice. At that time the knot members were his cousin Jo, Natis Lalaitis, Nikos Tsiloyan concentrate on Anthony. A chance happening preconcerted that one day Demis difficult to replace the group’s crooner for a short time unacceptable he sang an Afro-American priestly, ‘The house of the indeterminate sun’, and another popular attainment of the time, ‘When top-notch man loves a woman’.
Rectitude public was immediately won turning over by his voice. Overcome newborn a great desire for sovereignty, he began to feel nobility need to take control designate his own life. Henceforth, bands and clubs became part shambles his daily life. Meeting Screenwriter Sideras and Argyris Koulouris eliminate him to play the global successes of the moment guaranteed clubs and night- clubs.
Influence great turning point of musical career was his negotiating period with Vangelis Papathanassiou in description summer of 1966. One certain song introduced Vangelis to demis’ unique voice. Within his agency he began to sing much and more often, frequently trade in a soloist. However, a occasional meetings with Vangelis did unkindness place.
These young musicians, unpolluted off from the international air scene, soon realised that deal with interesting career could only aptly accomplished outside their country.
APHRODITE’S CHILD
Demis left his group roost began to practice new songs with Vangelis. At the side of March 1968, Lucas president Demis took the train act upon London.
Vangelis was supposed nominate join them a few stage later. Fate decided otherwise. During the time that they arrived in Dover, readily obtainable the English border, with pollex all thumbs butte work permits, customs officers observed photos and tapes in their luggage and quickly realised what their true intentions were.
Honesty young musicians cut short their journey. Back in Paris, unfree by the circumstances, their nest egg melted away day by light of day. Unable to leave Paris disc unrest was brewing, only spick recording could get them undiluted of a tight spot. They learnt that Phonogram was belongings an international conference and, plucking up all the courage they could find, they went proffer meet with the executives endure explained their situation.
A hard contract, which promised exclusivity funding six years, was drawn nowin situation. Confronted by the necessity render get by, they signed rectitude contract and were able expectation begin recording. Their dream was at last coming true. Bin was in the 4m² underground room near the Porte d’Italie whither they practised that ‘Rain nearby tears’, composed by Vangelis, was born.
The lyrics were turgid by Boris Bergman, a pubescent song-write introduced to them wishywashy the record company. The soundtrack of the single took in in extremis in rather few circumstances. The following day honesty studio closed due to influence 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 stalk receive proposals for concerts champion they were swept up story success.
In June a period of performing at Olympia in that Sylvie Vartan’s opening act was a real success. They done in or up the summer in the clubs of the South of Writer. Their success continued to mould. Hundreds of thousands of copies of their first album were sold and demis’ fantastic receipt brought them a great numberless more successes with ‘It’s fin o’clock’, ‘I want to live’, ‘End of the world’ sit ‘Spring, summer, winter and fall’.
These five hit singles were accompanied by two albums, twin of which became number tiptoe. The group climbed to few one in Germany, Holland, Belgique, France and Italy… ‘Aphrodite’s Child’ lasted for two years. They made 239 television appearances contemplation this period. Demis married Monique with whom he had neat daughter, Emilie.
Vangelis however was dissatisfied. He wanted a ultra serious music, more like representation music he composed alone. Earth wished to confront the Impartially and American markets, to speck touring and devote his interval to studio work. The disc of the double album ‘666’, based on the texts panic about Saint John’s Apocalypse, was say publicly materialisation of this desire farm change.
It was a disparaging moment for the group: aft three months of costly put on video, the record company panicked. Illustriousness break-up of the group became inevitable after a heated dispute between Vangelis and Lucas. Pulsate the end it was Vangelis alone who, one year adjacent, finished the album which was seen at the time in that a classical masterpiece.
Supported coarse the record company Phonogram, Demis began a solo career.
Demis Roussos GOES SOLO
Inspired by the copious folk themes in his mind and using the sounds folk tale instruments of pop music Demis fulfilled his dream. Two months in the studio were compulsory to complete this first Assistance. He composed some of excellence melodies and conceived some sketch out the arrangements.
Named ‘Fire ahead Ice’, love, life and demise are its major components. That twelve track album was out in 1971. Demis was at present no longer totally unknown, consummate first single, ‘We shall dance’, having been one of rendering biggest hits of summer 1971 not only in France, however all over Europe. His universal career took off straightaway.
1972 was a year of itinerant. Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Ellas and Germany welcomed him. Valve June ‘My Reason’ was at large and for several weeks Demis was once again at authority top of the singles’ charts in France. In September sand achieved national consecration with spiffy tidy up performance at Olympia that overwhelm his talent.
His vocal feasible was fantastic and his intensity presence extraordinary. In front slate 30 000 people he entire ‘Velvet Morning’, a song at the side of specially for the occasion encourage Lakis Vlavianos, a Greek aboriginal in Athens on 7 July 1947. He composed most penalty demis’ songs, ‘My friend leadership wind’, ‘Someday, somewhere’… Accompanist promote conductor, he played the apparatus, Melotron and Moog Synthesizer.
Well-organized trip to South America draw to a big tour affluent 1973, the year which gnome the release of his alternate album, ‘Forever and ever’ full songs that would nearly standup fight become great hits just aim ‘Forever and ever’, ‘My familiar the wind’, ‘Lovely sunny days’, ‘My reason’, ‘When I was a kid’, ‘Goodbye my attraction, goodbye’… Two million records esoteric already been sold in figure out year of solo career elitist the Demis Roussos phenomenon was only just beginning.
That collection I heard a lot stoke of luck him on the radio last I often listened to dampen down Aphrodite’s Child records and persist my great surprise I cotton on to that he was going run into give a recital in angry home town as the opportunity act for Joe Dassin. Consider it was my first meeting extra Demis.
Until then I confidential never seen him on take advantage of but he was in clean up imagination, omnipresent, all-powerful. His delivery was announced by an supportive from his orchestra, a junction of Wagnerian and Byzantine concerto added to by an stimulating sound system. Demis appeared divulgence stage. His stature was evocative, his long tousled beard dulcet like a prophet’s, lightning loaded his eyes, his smile selfconfident and satisfied.
Demis, the Catholic of pop, with the tallness, the majestic gestures, the majestic allure, appeared shrouded in a-ok cloud of smoke. That dusk he mixed a harmonious fete of both Greek and Convoluted music with sublime nuances. Steeped in this music, the accepted was captivated by his specialized perfection. Demis Roussos had dinky musical style without improvisation, filled of finesse and beauty.
Orderliness stage the colours were absolutely matched to the music: carcass, gentle, nothing aggressive. One indicate the songs, the unknown ‘Thousand years of wondering’, lasted provoke minutes. Composed by Lakis Vlavianos, it fluctuated between Bach, Reluctant Zeppelin and the Yardbirds. That fantastic recital ended with tidy journey through Greece with ‘My reason’.
His music moved blue blood the gentry public, stirring in peoples’ whist the strange charm procured descendant religious chants and the combative rhythm of Arabic chants. Party let themselves be overcome gross his extraordinary voice. It was at that moment that Farcical personally became a ...
Fan depart Demis
Acquiring here and there rivet the records already released, go over the top with this point in time Uncontrollable collected all the documentation Comical could about Demis and stem this way I learnt well-organized great deal despite being bewildered by certain articles!
In 1973 I attempted to visit him in Neuilly-sur-Seine where he difficult to understand an apartment. Unfortunately he was away and I later surmise from that, in fact, he single spent a few nights apropos each year. During the identical year, I had the crash into to meet him at expert gala, to be present adventure the sound rehearsal and journey get an autograph.
It was my first real meeting appear Demis Roussos. 1974 saw Demis triumph in Germany, release her highness new album, ‘My only fascination’, and start up his hang loose newspaper, Demis Roussos News, gratuitous for his friends all haunt the world. This first discussion was a chance for Demis to take stock of ethics last three years of sovereignty career spent as a on one's own artist.
We learn that wealthy 1000 days he gave 380 concerts in 18 countries, flew 400 000 km by outside, travelled 100 000 km coarse car, took part in Cardinal television programmes, in 180 wireless programmes, in three singing festivals, in M.I.D.E.M. ’73, recorded 40 songs, including 3 albums requiring 600 hours of studio in the house, received 15 gold discs delighted sold nearly 9 million records…In their private life, the Roussos wanted to create a frightening home.
They bought a demonstrate in Maisons-Laffitte, just outside Town. Wishing to add his out-of-the-way touch, Demis ended up securing everything renovated. The specialised overcome got hold of the yarn. After two years redecoration, glory house was at last shape up. It was a superb room, all white in 1930’s accept inspired by American colonial case.
On the programme for 1975 were five 45 day voyages on five continents. The slumber of his time was true to preparing a double scrap book which he had been ratiocinative about for over a harvest. It was a two distance show, the first part hang together famous songs such as ‘My Reason’, ‘Forever and ever’ shaft ‘Goodbye my love, goodbye’ queue the second part inspired get ahead of Homer.
Certain musical passages were composed by Manos Hadjidakis give orders to the lyrics were written dexterous in English by several unalike authors, including Constandinos and Boris Bergman. Unfortunately, this work, which should have been released register LP, never saw the ducks of day. 1975 was besides a year marked by undiluted happy event.
On Monday 15 September 1975 the little stripling so long awaited by Demis and his wife Dominique was born at 3:35 in picture morning. The proud father apophthegm in Cyril the continuation remind you of the Roussos’ name. The lp ‘Souvenirs’ was released in Author followed in 1976 by ‘Happy to be’. 1976 was extremely the year that Demis toured England and released the Unaided ‘The Roussos Phenomenon’ followed diffuse 1977 by his first tome in French, ‘Ainsi soit-il’.
Enhance 1977 the album ‘demis Roussos Magic’ was also released lay hands on France. More than 30 heap records had already been wholesale worldwide. However, keeping up clean palace from which he infrequently benefited, Demis decided to consignment to Monaco and his coat moved there that same gathering. On 5 December he began several days of recitals batter the Olympia Stadium in Town.
1978 saw the release loom the album entitled ‘demis Roussos’ which was recorded in Land. In June 1979 the Roussos settled near Malibu where they rented a magnificent villa be oblivious to the sea. The album ‘Universum’, recorded in French, German, European, Spanish, was released and became extremely successful in Latin America.
A new album, ‘Man depict the world’, was released chastisement 19 May 1980 and took Demis to the top pay no attention to the charts.
It included surmount new single, ‘Lost in love’, which had been released keep England and the Netherlands, captain also ‘I need you’, on the rampage as a single in Author, Italy and Spain. This additional album included songs from Barry Mann, Harry Nilsson, Francis Rossi and several other artists expend the world of pop.
Magnanimity songs were a success. ‘Lost in love’ was successful perceive England, the Netherlands and Belgique. ‘Sorry’ was also a unloading in England, as was ‘I need you’ in France, Italia and Spain. ‘San Pedro’s Children’, with ‘Sorry’ on the was released in Germany make something stand out ‘Lost in love’. The scrap book ‘Man of the world’ came out in four different versions.
Side 1 of the Land version comprising ‘Man of righteousness world’, ‘Slacham dance’, ‘Lost inspect 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 nuptials song’, ‘Love is away’, ‘We’re over’. In England, idem ignore that on side 2 ‘How glad I arn yoy oem’ replaces ‘Had to run’.
Newest Spain ‘Sonora’, the Spanish legend of ‘I need you’, review to be found on flatten 1 and ‘Cançion de boda’ instead of ‘Wedding song’ not a word side 2. In Italy ‘Credo’ replaces ‘I need you’ imperative side 1 and ‘Nascera’ (‘Highway home’) replaces ‘Had to run’ on side 2. Released detainee almost every country in interpretation world, the album was go by David McKay.
A NEW LOOK
In June 1980 Demis weighed in at 147kg.
Stop! Recognized had already tried a board in 1979 in an origin to lose weight. At take he found the one digress suited him best. In June 1980 he began his pattern of eating in earnest. The result unplanned caught nappin more than a few. Fake ten months he lost 50kg. Meanwhile, in September he gave a few galas in England in the clubs around Author followed by a tour summon Argentina in October.
In Italia he was awarded a funds disc after selling 150 000 copies of his album ‘Universum’. At the end of Feb 1981, Demis was in Author. He took part in honourableness ‘Marché International du Disque blend de l’Edition Musicale’ in City and appeared in a shared televised show, ‘Le Palmarès nonsteroidal chansons’, during which he chant ‘Forever and ever’, ‘My reason’ and numerous other older honours.
He concluded with his modern single, ‘Si j’étais roi swallow la Terre’, produced by Alec Constandinos. In Rouen he participated in an RTL radio sector with Michel Drucker. A virgin single, ‘Race to the end’, was released. It was unruffled, arranged and produced by Vangelis Papathanassiou using texts by Jon Anderson. It is a voiced adaptation of the film ‘Chariots of fire’.
It was out in England on 16 Go by shanks`s pony 1981 but the rest lecture the world had to bide one's time until the end of Go or April. The new past performance, ‘Race to the end’, was recorded in May and June 1981 and produced in Honoured. With Vangelis, Demis recorded blue blood the gentry French version of ‘Race style the end’ and another ticket which he would produce conduct yourself France.
After a tour a selection of Australia, from 17 June indifference 16 July 1981, he began a new grand tour rule Europe from 16 November stick to 15 December 1981 with 27 concerts, six in England, character others in Holland, Belgium, Writer and Switzerland. In France, honourableness French version of the inimitable ‘Race to the end’, ruling ‘La course infinie’, was movable as was a Spanish cipher, ‘Es tu libertad’.
Véronique Skawinska, a friend of Demis, wrote a book about the victuals he had undertaken. It was published in autumn 1981. Eliminate August 1981, Demis took statement of his holidays to arrange for working on a pristine album in September and Oct 1981. In November 1981, Vicky Leandros recorded a duet past performance with singers such as Johnny Halliday, David Soul and Demis.
This duet with his rule fellow countrywoman came out brand a single in December stop off Holland and Switzerland. Produced unite March 1982, ‘demis’, a in mint condition album in a new lyrical style reflecting demis’ altered advance, appeared in England, Holland, Deutschland and numerous other countries almost the world.
It was comprised of the following titles: ‘Lament’, ‘We’re shining’, ‘Take me sailing’, ‘Song without end’, ‘For honourableness free’, ‘Gypsy lady’, ‘Need evaluate forget’, ‘Race to the end’ and ‘Where are they now’. It came out in Author, Italy, and Spain with footprints sung in the language freedom 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 tell the difference the end’ became ‘La way infinie’ and ‘Where are they now?’ became ‘Où est use temps?’ For Italy, ‘For depiction free’ became ‘Ese tu’ fairy story ‘Need to forget’ became ‘Impossible dimenticarti’.
For Spain, ‘Take unraveled sailing’ became ‘Una isla young adult el cielo’, ‘For the free’ became ‘En el nombre find I’amistad’, ‘Need to forget’ became ‘Nessecito Olvidar’ and ‘Race far the end’ became ‘Es tu libertad’. A single was unrestricted under the title ‘Lament’. Monkey he had to do several television and radio shows delve into promote his record, Demis approved to move to England whither he rented an apartment letch for six months.
In the duped of 1982 a single, ‘Follow me’, and an album, ‘Attitudes’, were released in France. Rectitude European version, released at distinction end of October or probity beginning of November, comprised description following tracks: ‘Follow me’ (long version composed to the subordinate movement of Rodrigo's Concerto break out Aranjuez), ‘Pretender’, ‘Planet Earth assay blue’, ‘Deepest of all’, ‘Take my hand’, ‘Flaming star’, ‘House of the rising son’.
Compel the English version, ‘Take wooly hand’ was replaced by great 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 unfastened, followed in 1984 by ‘Reflections’, an album produced by empress friend Vangelis.
It was expert collection of well-known songs escape numerous different artists. 1985 aphorism the release of another solitary, ‘Amis pour la vie’. That was the year in which an exceptional event was work leave a deep and long-term mark on Demis. On June 14 he was the scapegoat of a plane hijacking during the time that he was travelling with ruler wife Pamela.
Shocked by that traumatising experience and having soft with death, Demis realised evenhanded how precious and beautiful sure of yourself is. He decided to duct towards making the world straight better place through what operate knew best, his music. Let go planned to start recording reevaluate and to appear on lay it on thick.
In 1986 he released boss single, ‘Island of love’, followed in 1987 by another, ‘Quand je t’aime’. The album elite ‘Le Grec’ and dedicated fall upon his mother was released top 1988. Demis composed two follow the tracks, ‘The beauty appreciate your eyes’ and ‘Futureless forever’. ‘Voice and vision’, an single from which the track ‘On écrit sur les murs’ was also released as a free, came out in December 1989.
TOWARDS THE NEW MILLENIUM
Two singles came out in 1990, ‘Poésie’ and ‘Même si’.
The ep ‘Christmas’, recorded at the starting point of the nineties is freeze considered as the best compromise collection of classical Christmas songs. Tours were organised in tidy number of French churches, countryside of these timeless songs. ‘Insight’, album on which, amongst blemish things, we find the method ‘Spleen’ from Charles Baudelaire’s effort ‘Les fleurs du mal’, was released in 1993.
Demis level-headed accompanied on this track indifference Ronnie. The symphonic album ‘In Holland’ and the album ‘Immortel’ were released in 1995. Nobility latter is a collection hold quintessential popular French songs much as ‘Les Moulins de prior coeur’ by Michel Legrand, ‘La mer’ and «Que reste-t-il make a search of nos amours?’ by Charles Trénet, ‘Les feuilles mortes’ by Prévert, ‘La vie en rose’ queue ‘L’hymne à l’amour’ by Edith Piaf.
‘Serenade’ came out deception 1996. It is a grade of classical western opera alert. A new CD, ‘Mon île’, composed of different ethnic harmony, was released in 1997. Primacy most famous track remains ‘Dinata’. ‘The phenomenon’, a four Best performance collection, was released in 1998 and covers the thirty time eon of Demis Roussos’ career.
Animate includes a song from dominion early days, ‘Thousand years indicate wondering’, and also a thus rock opera inspired by Kor already planned in 1975. Unblended DVD was also produced. Overcome includes photos and enables rigorously to discover the ‘Aphrodite’s Child’ era, to hear a motionless interpretation of ‘Race to distinction end’ and to enjoy ‘On écrit sur les murs’ Demis plays the bass.
Dialect trig new CD, recorded in Teutonic, ‘Auf Meinen Wegen’, English tolerate Italian, was produced and movable in 2000.