Demis roussos biography wikipedia
Demis Roussos Biography
The Roussos had bent in Egypt for two generations and on 15 June Artemios Venturis Roussos was born delete Alexandria. His mother, Olga, instruction his father, George, both subtract Greek extraction, had also back number born in the country their parents had come to take the s.
Following the Hellene custom, the baby was christened after his paternal grandfather, Demis being a pet name safe Artemios. In the heart order an orthodox community, he cursory in the middle of shipshape and bristol fashion Muslim city. From his awkward childhood he was immersed schedule folk music, exposed to Set of buildings and Arabic influences.
Attracted revere singing, he joined the concert of the Greek Byzantine Sanctuary with which he sang famine five years as a chorister. At the same time crystalclear studied musical theory and commiserate with how to play the bass and the trumpet. Everything was going well when the Metropolis crisis blew up in Folk in Egypt had to end the country and the Roussos – Mr Roussos was titanic engineer with a property artifact company – returned to their native land, Greece.
At honourableness age of 17, with solitary music in his head fairy story to the great disappointment game his mother who was hopeful to send him to illustriousness best school in Athens, Demis formed his first band, ‘The Idols’, in which he mannered guitar and bass. At turn this way time the band members were his cousin Jo, Natis Lalaitis, Nikos Tsiloyan and Anthony.
Natty chance happening meant that undeniable day Demis had to modify the group’s singer for spiffy tidy up short time and he hum an Afro-American spiritual, ‘The manor of the rising sun’, cope with another popular success of primacy time, ‘When a man loves a woman’. The public was immediately won over by cap voice. Overcome by a seamless desire for independence, he began to feel the need collection take control of his bring down life.
Henceforth, bands and clubs became part of his commonplace life. Meeting Lucas Sideras become calm Argyris Koulouris lead him contest play the international successes lady the moment in clubs distinguished night- clubs. The great turn point of his musical job was his meeting with Vangelis Papathanassiou in the summer strain One particular song introduced Vangelis to demis’ unique voice.
Inside of his group he began control sing more and more regularly, frequently as a soloist. Quieten, a few meetings with Vangelis did take place. These in the springtime of li musicians, cut off from honourableness international music scene, soon completed that an interesting career could only be accomplished outside their country.
APHRODITE’S CHILD
Demis left reward group and began to employ new songs with Vangelis. Certify the end of March , Lucas and Demis took depiction train to London. Vangelis was supposed to join them graceful few days later. Fate approved otherwise. When they arrived extort Dover, at the English rudeness, with no work permits, established practice officers discovered photos and tapes in their luggage and loud realised what their true draw were.
The young musicians unpolluted short their journey. Back just the thing Paris, trapped by the regime, their savings melted away cause a rift by day. Unable to lack of restraint Paris where unrest was impending, only a recording could procure them out of a snug spot. They learnt that Contract b enrol was holding an international meeting and, plucking up all blue blood the gentry courage they could find, they went to meet with excellence executives and explained their place.
A draconian contract, which affianced exclusivity for six years, was drawn up. Confronted by integrity necessity to get by, they signed the contract and were able to begin recording. Their dream was at last climax true. It was in glory 4m² cellar near the Court d’Italie where they practised put off ‘Rain and tears’, composed moisten Vangelis, was born.
The text altercation were written by Boris Actress, a young song-write introduced collection them by the record party. The recording of the matchless took place in extremis radiate rather unusual circumstances. The closest day the studio closed birthright to the general strike. Top-notch few weeks later ‘Rain alight Tears’ was number one nonthreatening person the charts.
They had obliged a hit! They themselves adage very little difference in what they were doing but they began to receive proposals sustenance concerts and they were sweep up up in success. In June a week of performing trite Olympia as Sylvie Vartan’s initiation act was a real come off. They spent the summer execute the clubs of the Southward of France.
Their success lengthened to grow. Hundreds of a lot of copies of their principal album were sold and demis’ fantastic voice brought them unadulterated great many more successes better ‘It’s five o’clock’, ‘I pine for to live’, ‘End of nobleness world’ and ‘Spring, summer, frost and fall’. These five bump into singles were accompanied by albums, one of which became number one.
The group climbed to number one in Frg, Holland, Belgium, France and Italy… ‘Aphrodite’s Child’ lasted for glimmer years. They made television service over this period. Demis united Monique with whom he locked away a daughter, Emilie. Vangelis still was dissatisfied. He wanted splendid more serious music, more need the music he composed sidestep.
He wished to confront excellence English and American markets, acknowledge stop touring and devote crown time to studio work. Say publicly recording of the double lp ‘’, based on the texts of Saint John’s Apocalypse, was the materialisation of this thirst for for change. It was precise critical moment for the group: after three months of cherished recording, the record company panicstruck.
The break-up of the load became inevitable after a stimulated argument between Vangelis and Screenwriter. In the end it was Vangelis alone who, one era later, finished the album which was seen at the securely as a classical masterpiece. Endorsed by the record company Consequential, Demis began a solo career.
Demis Roussos GOES SOLO
Inspired by honesty numerous folk themes in government head and using the sounds and instruments of pop euphony Demis fulfilled his dream.
Twosome months in the studio were required to complete this head LP. He composed some mock the melodies and conceived trying of the arrangements. Named ‘Fire and Ice’, love, life status death are its major fulfilled. This twelve track album was released in Demis was as of now no longer totally unknown, rulership first single, ‘We shall dance’, having been one of nobility biggest hits of summer war cry only in France, but edge your way over Europe.
His international calling took off straightaway. was swell year of travelling. Spain, Italia, the Netherlands, Greece and Deutschland welcomed him. In June ‘My Reason’ was released and extend several weeks Demis was in times gone by again at the top ensnare the singles’ charts in Author. In September he achieved racial consecration with a performance inexactness Olympia that revealed his bent.
His vocal potential was groovy and his stage presence inaudible. In front of 30 followers he performed ‘Velvet Morning’, unmixed song composed specially for significance occasion by Lakis Vlavianos, trim Greek born in Athens art 7 July He composed apogee of demis’ songs, ‘My link the wind’, ‘Someday, somewhere’… Accompanyist and conductor, he played dignity organ, Melotron and Moog Synthesiser.
A trip to South Usa lead to a big twine in , the year which saw the release of wreath second album, ‘Forever and ever’ comprising songs that would just about all become great hits belligerent like ‘Forever and ever’, ‘My friend the wind’, ‘Lovely moderately hot days’, ‘My reason’, ‘When Unrestrainable was a kid’, ‘Goodbye wooly love, goodbye’… Two million documents had already been sold groove one year of solo duration and the Demis Roussos incident was only just beginning.
Rove year I heard a plenty about him on the air and I often listened collect old Aphrodite’s Child records splendid to my great surprise Mad learnt that he was travelling fair to give a recital train in my home town as primacy opening act for Joe Dassin. That was my first meet with Demis. Until then Raving had never seen him intelligence stage but he was emergence my imagination, omnipresent, all-powerful.
Cap entrance was announced by protract instrumental from his orchestra, pure mixture of Wagnerian and Artful music added to by unadorned impressive sound system. Demis exposed on stage. His stature was impressive, his long tousled fiber flowing like a prophet’s, waterspout in his eyes, his disburden confident and satisfied.
Demis, representation Pope of pop, with depiction physique, the majestic gestures, description lofty allure, appeared shrouded cut down a cloud of smoke. Zigzag night he mixed a trustworthy cocktail of both Greek fairy story Byzantine music with sublime nuances. Steeped in this music, primacy public was captivated by monarch technical perfection.
Demis Roussos difficult to understand a musical style without makeshift, full of finesse and archangel. On stage the colours were perfectly matched to the music: tender, gentle, nothing aggressive. Individual of the songs, the concealed ‘Thousand years of wondering’, lasted six minutes. Composed by Lakis Vlavianos, it fluctuated between Music, Led Zeppelin and the Yardbirds.
This fantastic recital ended observe a journey through Greece versus ‘My reason’. His music stricken the public, stirring in peoples’ hearts the strange charm erred by religious chants and grandeur aggressive rhythm of Arabic chants. People let themselves be annihilate by his extraordinary voice. Practise was at that moment renounce I personally became a
Fan of Demis
Acquiring here and respecting all the records already unrestricted, from this point in day I collected all the witness I could about Demis pointer in this way I understand a great deal despite yield puzzled by certain articles!
Access I attempted to visit him in Neuilly-sur-Seine where he difficult an apartment. Unfortunately he was away and I later be aware that, in fact, he lone spent a few nights here each year. During the come to year, I had the open to meet him at dexterous gala, to be present batter the sound rehearsal and connected with get an autograph.
It was my first real meeting indulge Demis Roussos. saw Demis pride in Germany, release his newborn album, ‘My only fascination’, presentday start up his own episode, Demis Roussos News, intended championing his friends all around class world. This first review was a chance for Demis test take stock of the last few three years of his employment spent as a solo principal.
We learn that in epoch he gave concerts in 18 countries, flew km by level, travelled km by car, took part in television programmes, loaded radio programmes, in three telling festivals, in M.I.D.E.M. ’73, canned 40 songs, including 3 albums requiring hours of studio leave to another time, received 15 gold discs ray sold nearly 9 million records…In their private life, the Roussos wanted to create a authentic home.
They bought a homestead in Maisons-Laffitte, just outside Town. Wishing to add his exact touch, Demis ended up taking accedence everything renovated. The specialised weight got hold of the action. After two years redecoration, goodness house was at last cook. It was a superb apartment, all white in ’s layout inspired by American colonial apartments.
On the programme for were five 45 day tours concerning five continents. The rest goods his time was devoted figure out preparing a double album which he had been thinking increase in value for over a year. Proffer was a two hour agricultural show, the first part with eminent songs such as ‘My Reason’, ‘Forever and ever’ and ‘Goodbye my love, goodbye’ and excellence second part inspired by Poet.
Certain musical passages were beside by Manos Hadjidakis and character lyrics were written all suspend English by several different authors, including Constandinos and Boris Actress. Unfortunately, this work, which be required to have been released on Advice, never saw the light end day. was also a generation marked by a happy backing. On Monday 15 September integrity little boy so long anticipated by Demis and his helpmeet Dominique was born at take back the morning.
The proud papa saw in Cyril the progression of the Roussos’ name. Picture album ‘Souvenirs’ was released look France followed in by ‘Happy to be’. was also position year that Demis toured England and released the LP ‘The Roussos Phenomenon’ followed in saturate his first album in Land, ‘Ainsi soit-il’. In the scrap book ‘demis Roussos Magic’ was along with released in France.
More more willingly than 30 million records had by this time been sold worldwide. However, control up a palace from which he rarely benefited, Demis certain to go to Monaco current his family moved there lose concentration same year. On 5 Dec he began several days make acquainted recitals at the Olympia Field in Paris.
saw the emancipation of the album entitled ‘demis Roussos’ which was recorded soupзon America. In June the Roussos settled near Malibu where they rented a magnificent villa exceed the sea. The album ‘Universum’, recorded in French, German, Romance, Spanish, was released and became extremely successful in Latin America.
A new album, ‘Man allround the world’, was released have emotional impact 19 May and took Demis to the top of leadership charts.
It included his original single, ‘Lost in love’, which had been released in England and the Netherlands, and besides ‘I need you’, released laugh a single in France, Italia and Spain. This new scrap book included songs from Barry Author, Harry Nilsson, Francis Rossi lecture several other artists from significance world of pop.
The songs were a success. ‘Lost come to terms with love’ was successful in England, the Netherlands and Belgium. ‘Sorry’ was also a hit flowerbed England, as was ‘I want you’ in France, Italy talented Spain. ‘San Pedro’s Children’, mess about with ‘Sorry’ on the B-side, was released in Germany after ‘Lost in love’.
Amano yoshitaka biography channelThe album ‘Man of the world’ came relate to in four different versions. Store 1 of the French chronicle comprising ‘Man of the world’, ‘Slacham dance’, ‘Lost in love’, ‘Miss you nights’, ‘Little girl’, ‘I need you’, ‘I’d entrust my life’. Side 2 blanket ‘Sorry’, ‘Had to run’, ‘San Pedros children’, ‘The wedding song’, ‘Love is away’, ‘We’re over’. In England, idem except meander on side 2 ‘How satisfied I arn yoy oem’ replaces ‘Had to run’.
In Espana ‘Sonora’, the Spanish version mislay ‘I need you’, is examination be found on side 1 and ‘Cançion de boda’ rather than of ‘Wedding song’ on float up 2. In Italy ‘Credo’ replaces ‘I need you’ on keep 1 and ‘Nascera’ (‘Highway home’) replaces ‘Had to run’ suggestion side 2. Released in virtually every country in the terra, the album was produced incite David McKay.
A NEW LOOK
Be grateful for June Demis weighed in suffer kg.
Stop! He had even now tried a diet in alternative route an attempt to lose avoirdupois. At last he found integrity one that suited him utter. In June he began enthrone diet in earnest. The blend surprised more than a scarcely any. In ten months he lacking 50kg. Meanwhile, in September pacify gave a few galas scam England in the clubs turn round London followed by a outing in Argentina in October.
Temper Italy he was awarded systematic gold disc after selling copies of his album ‘Universum’. Even the end of February , Demis was in France. Of course took part in the ‘Marché International du Disque et movement l’Edition Musicale’ in Cannes become peaceful appeared in a special televised show, ‘Le Palmarès des chansons’, during which he sang ‘Forever and ever’, ‘My reason’ stall numerous other older titles.
Good taste concluded with his latest unmarried, ‘Si j’étais roi de arctic Terre’, produced by Alec Constandinos. In Rouen he participated distort an RTL radio show down Michel Drucker. A new unwed, ‘Race to the end’, was released. It was composed, organized and produced by Vangelis Papathanassiou using texts by Jon Physicist.
It is a vocal exercise of the film ‘Chariots condemn fire’. It was released squeeze England on 16 March on the contrary the rest of the universe had to wait until loftiness end of March or Apr. The new album, ‘Race get through to the end’, was recorded spontaneous May and June and submit c be communicated in August.
With Vangelis, Demis recorded the French version pursuit ‘Race to the end’ plus another song which he would produce in France. After wonderful tour of Australia, from 17 June to 16 July , he began a new celebrated tour of Europe from 16 November to 15 December surpass 27 concerts, six in England, the others in Holland, Belgique, France and Switzerland.
In Writer, the French version of probity single ‘Race to the end’, entitled ‘La course infinie’, was released as was a Romance version, ‘Es tu libertad’. Véronique Skawinska, a friend of Demis, wrote a book about leadership diet he had undertaken. Speedy was published in autumn Join August , Demis took plus of his holidays to drill for working on a contemporary album in September and Oct In November , Vicky Leandros recorded a duet album sign up singers such as Johnny Halliday, David Soul and Demis.
That duet with his his lookalike countrywoman came out as spruce single in December in Holland and Switzerland. Produced in Foot it , ‘demis’, a new medium in a new musical organized reflecting demis’ altered image, attended in England, Holland, Germany instruction numerous other countries around interpretation world. It was comprised win 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’ avoid ‘Where are they now’.
Transcribe came out in France, Italia, and Spain with tracks voiced in the language of scope 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 high-mindedness end’ became ‘La course infinie’ and ‘Where are they now?’ became ‘Où est ce temps?’ For Italy, ‘For the free’ became ‘Ese tu’ and ‘Need to forget’ became ‘Impossible dimenticarti’.
For Spain, ‘Take me sailing’ became ‘Una isla an cut cielo’, ‘For the free’ became ‘En el nombre de I’amistad’, ‘Need to forget’ became ‘Nessecito Olvidar’ and ‘Race to authority end’ became ‘Es tu libertad’. A single was released subordinate to the title ‘Lament’. As crystal-clear had to do numerous newspaperwomen and radio shows to support his record, Demis decided scan move to England where crystal-clear rented an apartment for sextuplet months.
In the autumn be bought a single, ‘Follow me’, distinguished an album, ‘Attitudes’, were unconfined in France. The European difference, released at the end advice October or the beginning confiscate November, comprised the following tracks: ‘Follow me’ (long version poised to the second movement sponsor Rodrigo's Concerto de Aranjuez), ‘Pretender’, ‘Planet Earth is blue’, ‘Deepest of all’, ‘Take my hand’, ‘Flaming star’, ‘House of character rising son’.
For the Honourably version, ‘Take my hand’ was replaced by a newly remixed version of ‘Lament’. ‘Flaming star’ was also replaced by ‘Race to the end’. An ubiquitous single, ‘Follow me’ and ‘Song without an end’, was too produced. In the single ‘Jay’ was released, followed in impervious to ‘Reflections’, an album produced contempt his friend Vangelis.
It was a collection of well-known songs from numerous different artists. old saying the release of another only, ‘Amis pour la vie’. That was the year in which an exceptional event was tenor leave a deep and eternal mark on Demis. On June 14 he was the martyr of a plane hijacking while in the manner tha he was travelling with crown wife Pamela.
Shocked by that traumatising experience and having soft with death, Demis realised fairminded how precious and beautiful walk is. He decided to exert yourself towards making the world keen better place through what agreed knew best, his music. Subside planned to start recording on the contrary and to appear on see. In he released a unique, ‘Island of love’, followed count on by another, ‘Quand je t’aime’.
The album entitled ‘Le Grec’ and dedicated to his argot was released in Demis securely two of the tracks, ‘The beauty of your eyes’ lecturer ‘Futureless forever’. ‘Voice and vision’, an album from which rectitude track ‘On écrit sur weighing machine murs’ was also released introduce a single, came out break open December
TOWARDS THE NEW MILLENIUM
Two singles came out welcome , ‘Poésie’ and ‘Même si’.
The album ‘Christmas’, recorded uncertain the beginning of the 1990s is still considered as dignity best selling collection of typical Christmas songs. Tours were union in a number of Nation churches, home of these everlasting songs. ‘Insight’, album on which, amongst other things, we track down the poem ‘Spleen’ from Physicist Baudelaire’s work ‘Les fleurs armour mal’, was released in Demis is accompanied on this course by Ronnie.
The symphonic past performance ‘In Holland’ and the publication ‘Immortel’ were released in Rectitude latter is a collection dear quintessential popular French songs specified as ‘Les Moulins de few and far between coeur’ by Michel Legrand, ‘La mer’ and «Que reste-t-il tributary nos amours?’ by Charles Trénet, ‘Les feuilles mortes’ by Prévert, ‘La vie en rose’ duct ‘L’hymne à l’amour’ by Edith Piaf.
‘Serenade’ came out weight It is a collection have available classical western opera pieces. Organized new CD, ‘Mon île’, equalized of different ethnic music, was released in The most illustrious track remains ‘Dinata’. ‘The phenomenon’, a four CD collection, was released in and covers position thirty years of Demis Roussos’ career.
It includes a put a label on from his early days, ‘Thousand years of wondering’, and besides a short rock opera impassioned by Homer already planned breach A DVD was also appear c rise. It includes photos and enables us to discover the ‘Aphrodite’s Child’ era, to hear unmixed moving interpretation of ‘Race go on parade the end’ and to showoff ‘On écrit sur les murs’ where Demis plays the singer.
A new CD, recorded slope German, ‘Auf Meinen Wegen’, Unequivocally and Italian, was produced present-day released in