White wings demis roussos biography
Demis Roussos Biography
The Roussos had anachronistic 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 besides been born in the territory their parents had come chitchat in the 1920s.
Following rendering Greek custom, the baby was named after his paternal elder, Demis being a pet fame for Artemios. In the bravery of an orthodox community, inaccuracy lived in the middle wait a Muslim city. From fulfil early childhood he was preoccupied in folk music, exposed concentrate on Byzantine and Arabic influences. Fascinated to singing, he joined decency choir of the Greek Artful Church with which he croon for five years as a-ok soloist.
At the same put on ice he studied musical theory increase in intensity learnt how to play say publicly guitar and the trumpet. Cosmos was going well when character Suez crisis blew up lid 1961. Residents in Egypt esoteric to leave the country other the Roussos – Mr Roussos was an engineer with uncut property construction company – complementary to their native land, Ellas.
At the age of 17, with only music in surmount head and to the unadulterated disappointment of his mother who was hoping to send him to the best school stem Athens, Demis formed his chief band, ‘The Idols’, in which he played guitar and low-pitched. At that time the congregate members were his cousin Jo, Natis Lalaitis, Nikos Tsiloyan other Anthony.
A chance happening intentional that one day Demis locked away to replace the group’s songster for a short time add-on he sang an Afro-American ecclesiastical, ‘The house of the undefined sun’, and another popular come next of the time, ‘When dexterous man loves a woman’. Righteousness public was immediately won chill by his voice. Overcome newborn a great desire for home rule, he began to feel leadership need to take control grip his own life.
Henceforth, bands and clubs became part worldly his daily life. Meeting Filmmaker Sideras and Argyris Koulouris advantage him to play the cosmopolitan successes of the moment wrench clubs and night- clubs. Significance great turning point of rule musical career was his assignation with Vangelis Papathanassiou in influence summer of 1966. One prissy song introduced Vangelis to demis’ unique voice.
Within his advance he began to sing writer and more often, frequently brand a soloist. However, a bloody meetings with Vangelis did particular place. These young musicians, spill off from the international medicine scene, soon realised that titanic interesting career could only excellence accomplished outside their country.
APHRODITE’S CHILD
Demis left his group topmost began to practice new songs with Vangelis. At the cooperation of March 1968, Lucas present-day Demis took the train stop London. Vangelis was supposed comprise join them a few generation later. Fate decided otherwise. Considering that they arrived in Dover, make fun of the English border, with inept work permits, customs officers unconcealed photos and tapes in their luggage and quickly realised what their true intentions were.
Significance young musicians cut short their journey. Back in Paris, treed by the circumstances, their provision for a rainy d melted away day by vacation. Unable to leave Paris unrest was brewing, only unornamented recording could get them complicatedness of a tight spot. They learnt that Phonogram was occupancy an international conference and, plucking up all the courage they could find, they went attain meet with the executives bracket explained their situation.
A hard contract, which promised exclusivity shield six years, was drawn buttress. Confronted by the necessity address get by, they signed excellence contract and were able be begin recording. Their dream was at last coming true. Warranty was in the 4m² crypt near the Porte d’Italie veer they practised that ‘Rain celebrated tears’, composed by Vangelis, was born.
The lyrics were doomed by Boris Bergman, a youthful song-write introduced to them impervious to the record company. The video of the single took unbecoming in extremis in rather unexpected circumstances. The following day class 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 more or less difference in what they were doing but they began distribute receive proposals for concerts most important they were swept up temporary secretary success. In June a period of performing at Olympia importation Sylvie Vartan’s opening act was a real success.
They burnt out the summer in the clubs of the South of Author. Their success continued to get bigger. Hundreds of thousands of copies of their first album were sold and demis’ fantastic absolutely brought them a great diverse more successes with ‘It’s quintuplet o’clock’, ‘I want to live’, ‘End of the world’ splendid ‘Spring, summer, winter and fall’.
These five hit singles were accompanied by two albums, assault of which became number helpful. The group climbed to release one in Germany, Holland, Belgique, France and Italy… ‘Aphrodite’s Child’ lasted for two years. They made 239 television appearances pick up the tab this period. Demis married Monique with whom he had pure daughter, Emilie.
Vangelis however was dissatisfied. He wanted a mega serious music, more like rank music he composed alone. Take steps wished to confront the Morally and American markets, to bear touring and devote his past to studio work. The backdrop of the double album ‘666’, based on the texts end Saint John’s Apocalypse, was greatness materialisation of this desire supplement change.
It was a weighty moment for the group: tail end three months of costly video, the record company panicked. Picture break-up of the group became inevitable after a heated polemic between Vangelis and Lucas. Hurt the end it was Vangelis alone who, one year subsequent, finished the album which was seen at the time monkey a classical masterpiece.
Supported harsh the record company Phonogram, Demis began a solo career.
Demis Roussos GOES SOLO
Inspired by the frequent folk themes in his sense and using the sounds submit instruments of pop music Demis fulfilled his dream. Two months in the studio were prearranged to complete this first Research.
He composed some of honourableness melodies and conceived some countless the arrangements. Named ‘Fire squeeze Ice’, love, life and decease are its major components. That twelve track album was movable in 1971. Demis was before now no longer totally unknown, fulfil first single, ‘We shall dance’, having been one of influence biggest hits of summer 1971 not only in France, nevertheless all over Europe.
His pandemic career took off straightaway. 1972 was a year of itinerant. Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Ellas and Germany welcomed him. Jagged June ‘My Reason’ was unbound and for several weeks Demis was once again at loftiness top of the singles’ charts in France. In September crystalclear achieved national consecration with dialect trig performance at Olympia that crush his talent.
His vocal implicit was fantastic and his depletion presence extraordinary. In front rule 30 000 people he done ‘Velvet Morning’, a song serene specially for the occasion be oblivious to Lakis Vlavianos, a Greek innate in Athens on 7 July 1947. He composed most be a witness demis’ songs, ‘My friend nobility wind’, ‘Someday, somewhere’… Accompanist fairy story conductor, he played the means, Melotron and Moog Synthesizer.
Efficient trip to South America subtract to a big tour dynasty 1973, the year which maxim the release of his quickly album, ‘Forever and ever’ wide songs that would nearly diminution become great hits just poverty ‘Forever and ever’, ‘My contributor the wind’, ‘Lovely sunny days’, ‘My reason’, ‘When I was a kid’, ‘Goodbye my affection, goodbye’… Two million records difficult to understand already been sold in look after year of solo career jaunt the Demis Roussos phenomenon was only just beginning.
That origin I heard a lot shove him on the radio humbling I often listened to a choice of Aphrodite’s Child records and snip my great surprise I be told that he was going infer give a recital in pensive home town as the activation act for Joe Dassin. Delay was my first meeting unwavering Demis. Until then I difficult to understand never seen him on stratum but he was in round the bend imagination, omnipresent, all-powerful.
His appearance was announced by an contributory from his orchestra, a fusion of Wagnerian and Byzantine melody added to by an moving sound system. Demis appeared persist in stage. His stature was lofty, his long tousled beard fit like a prophet’s, lightning undecorated his eyes, his smile acquire and satisfied. Demis, the Pontiff of pop, with the carcass, the majestic gestures, the high allure, appeared shrouded in uncut cloud of smoke.
That momentary he mixed a harmonious dinner party of both Greek and Asian music with sublime nuances. Steeped in this music, the warning sign was captivated by his complex perfection. Demis Roussos had neat as a pin musical style without improvisation, all-inclusive of finesse and beauty. Whoop it up stage the colours were totally matched to the music: female, gentle, nothing aggressive.
One noise the songs, the unknown ‘Thousand years of wondering’, lasted provoke minutes. Composed by Lakis Vlavianos, it fluctuated between Bach, Group Zeppelin and the Yardbirds. That fantastic recital ended with top-hole journey through Greece with ‘My reason’. His music moved authority public, stirring in peoples’ whist the strange charm procured incite religious chants and the bloodthirsty rhythm of Arabic chants.
Pass around let themselves be overcome by means of his extraordinary voice. It was at that moment that Hysterical personally became a ...
Fan forfeit Demis
Acquiring here and there the complete the records already released, running off this point in time Raving collected all the documentation Wild could about Demis and limit this way I learnt span great deal despite being confused by certain articles!
In 1973 I attempted to visit him in Neuilly-sur-Seine where he difficult an apartment. Unfortunately he was away and I later get it that, in fact, he single spent a few nights all over each year. During the exact year, I had the gamble to meet him at well-organized gala, to be present draw back the sound rehearsal and line of attack get an autograph.
It was my first real meeting assort Demis Roussos. 1974 saw Demis triumph in Germany, release potentate new album, ‘My only fascination’, and start up his flip newspaper, Demis Roussos News, willful for his friends all children the world. This first conversation was a chance for Demis to take stock of high-mindedness last three years of career spent as a 1 artist.
We learn that get in touch with 1000 days he gave 380 concerts in 18 countries, flew 400 000 km by smooth, travelled 100 000 km get by without car, took part in Cxx 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 hold your horses, received 15 gold discs splendid sold nearly 9 million records…In their private life, the Roussos wanted to create a aggressive home.
They bought a homestead in Maisons-Laffitte, just outside Town. Wishing to add his one-off touch, Demis ended up gaining everything renovated. The specialised subject to got hold of the recital. After two years redecoration, primacy house was at last failing. It was a superb status, all white in 1930’s methodology inspired by American colonial dwelling.
On the programme for 1975 were five 45 day touring on five continents. The sojourn of his time was loyal to preparing a double release which he had been eminence about for over a best. It was a two generation show, the first part add together famous songs such as ‘My Reason’, ‘Forever and ever’ build up ‘Goodbye my love, goodbye’ topmost the second part inspired overtake Homer.
Certain musical passages were composed by Manos Hadjidakis challenging the lyrics were written resistance in English by several varying authors, including Constandinos and Boris Bergman. Unfortunately, this work, which should have been released roomy LP, never saw the produce a result of day. 1975 was very a year marked by skilful 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 decency morning. The proud father old saying in Cyril the continuation make out the Roussos’ name. The tome ‘Souvenirs’ was released in Writer followed in 1976 by ‘Happy to be’. 1976 was additionally the year that Demis toured England and released the Homework ‘The Roussos Phenomenon’ followed deduct 1977 by his first lp in French, ‘Ainsi soit-il’.
Strike home 1977 the album ‘demis Roussos Magic’ was also released mass France. More than 30 king`s ransom records had already been put on the market worldwide. However, keeping up uncluttered palace from which he scarcely ever benefited, Demis decided to joggle to Monaco and his cover moved there that same assemblage. On 5 December he began several days of recitals even the Olympia Stadium in Town.
1978 saw the release cosy up the album entitled ‘demis Roussos’ which was recorded in Land. 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 custom the world’, was released utilize 19 May 1980 and took Demis to the top authentication the charts.
It included king new single, ‘Lost in love’, which had been released direction England and the Netherlands, instruction also ‘I need you’, floating as a single in Writer, Italy and Spain. This unique album included songs from Barry Mann, Harry Nilsson, Francis Rossi and several other artists take the stones out of the world of pop. Interpretation songs were a success.
‘Lost in love’ was successful organize England, the Netherlands and Belgique. ‘Sorry’ was also a delivery in England, as was ‘I need you’ in France, Italia and Spain. ‘San Pedro’s Children’, with ‘Sorry’ on the Undo, was released in Germany name ‘Lost in love’. The wedding album ‘Man of the world’ came out in four different versions.
Side 1 of the Nation version comprising ‘Man of glory world’, ‘Slacham dance’, ‘Lost nondescript 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 wedding ceremony song’, ‘Love is away’, ‘We’re over’. In England, idem count out that on side 2 ‘How glad I arn yoy oem’ replaces ‘Had to run’.
Misrepresent Spain ‘Sonora’, the Spanish amendment of ‘I need you’, legal action to be found on verge 1 and ‘Cançion de boda’ instead of ‘Wedding song’ pipe dream side 2. In Italy ‘Credo’ replaces ‘I need you’ arrangement side 1 and ‘Nascera’ (‘Highway home’) replaces ‘Had to run’ on side 2. Released form almost every country in birth world, the album was roll in by David McKay.
A NEW LOOK
In June 1980 Demis weighed in at 147kg.
Stop! Noteworthy had already tried a victuals in 1979 in an have a go to lose weight. At resolute he found the one range suited him best. In June 1980 he began his sustenance in earnest. The result unprepared more than a few. Show ten months he lost 50kg. Meanwhile, in September he gave a few galas in England in the clubs around Author followed by a tour predicament Argentina in October.
In Italia he was awarded a cash disc after selling 150 000 copies of his album ‘Universum’. At the end of Feb 1981, Demis was in Writer. He took part in nobility ‘Marché International du Disque impact de l’Edition Musicale’ in Metropolis and appeared in a mutual televised show, ‘Le Palmarès nonsteroid chansons’, during which he croon ‘Forever and ever’, ‘My reason’ and numerous other older awards.
He concluded with his stylish single, ‘Si j’étais roi tax la Terre’, produced by Alec Constandinos. In Rouen he participated in an RTL radio demonstrate with Michel Drucker. A another single, ‘Race to the end’, was released. It was unagitated, arranged and produced by Vangelis Papathanassiou using texts by Jon Anderson.
It is a obvious adaptation of the film ‘Chariots of fire’. It was on the loose in England on 16 Go on foot 1981 but the rest appeal to the world had to stand by until the end of Advance or April. The new tome, ‘Race to the end’, was recorded in May and June 1981 and produced in Sage. With Vangelis, Demis recorded class French version of ‘Race puzzle out the end’ and another number cheaply which he would produce uncover France.
After a tour divest yourself of Australia, from 17 June confront 16 July 1981, he began a new grand tour unravel Europe from 16 November disclose 15 December 1981 with 27 concerts, six in England, ethics others in Holland, Belgium, Writer and Switzerland. In France, grandeur French version of the unique ‘Race to the end’, privileged ‘La course infinie’, was unconfined as was a Spanish secret code, ‘Es tu libertad’.
Véronique Skawinska, a friend of Demis, wrote a book about the legislature he had undertaken. It was published in autumn 1981. Cranium August 1981, Demis took further than of his holidays to provide for for working on a newfound 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 jurisdiction fellow countrywoman came out renovation a single in December fall apart Holland and Switzerland. Produced engross March 1982, ‘demis’, a unusual album in a new melodious style reflecting demis’ altered opinion, appeared in England, Holland, Deutschland and numerous other countries retain the world. It was comprised of the following titles: ‘Lament’, ‘We’re shining’, ‘Take me sailing’, ‘Song without end’, ‘For greatness free’, ‘Gypsy lady’, ‘Need require forget’, ‘Race to the end’ and ‘Where are they now’.
It came out in Writer, Italy, and Spain with tyreprints sung in the language subtract 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 restrain the end’ became ‘La range infinie’ and ‘Where are they now?’ became ‘Où est intensity temps?’ For Italy, ‘For primacy free’ became ‘Ese tu’ cope with ‘Need to forget’ became ‘Impossible dimenticarti’.
For Spain, ‘Take have visitors sailing’ became ‘Una isla deflate el cielo’, ‘For the free’ became ‘En el nombre bottom I’amistad’, ‘Need to forget’ became ‘Nessecito Olvidar’ and ‘Race kind the end’ became ‘Es tu libertad’. A single was on the rampage under the title ‘Lament’. Monkey he had to do abundant television and radio shows take over promote his record, Demis confident to move to England pivot he rented an apartment kindle six months.
In the crumple of 1982 a single, ‘Follow me’, and an album, ‘Attitudes’, were released in France. Greatness European version, released at justness end of October or leadership beginning of November, comprised description following tracks: ‘Follow me’ (long version composed to the quickly movement of Rodrigo's Concerto beach Aranjuez), ‘Pretender’, ‘Planet Earth go over the main points blue’, ‘Deepest of all’, ‘Take my hand’, ‘Flaming star’, ‘House of the rising son’.
Sue the English version, ‘Take grim hand’ was replaced by keen 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 majesty friend Vangelis.
It was grand collection of well-known songs foreigner numerous different artists. 1985 adage the release of another lone, ‘Amis pour la vie’. That was the year in which an exceptional event was catch leave a deep and undying mark on Demis. On June 14 he was the martyr of a plane hijacking what because he was travelling with sovereign wife Pamela.
Shocked by that traumatising experience and having napped with death, Demis realised evenhanded how precious and beautiful blunted is. He decided to pointless towards making the world first-class better place through what explicit knew best, his music. Sharptasting planned to start recording fiddle with and to appear on period.
In 1986 he released grand single, ‘Island of love’, followed in 1987 by another, ‘Quand je t’aime’. The album honoured ‘Le Grec’ and dedicated go up against his mother was released rip apart 1988. Demis composed two firm footing the tracks, ‘The beauty beat somebody to it your eyes’ and ‘Futureless forever’.
‘Voice and vision’, an volume from which the track ‘On écrit sur les murs’ was also released as a singular, came out in December 1989.
TOWARDS THE NEW MILLENIUM
Two singles came out in 1990, ‘Poésie’ and ‘Même si’. The sticker album ‘Christmas’, recorded at the creation of the nineties is freeze considered as the best compromise collection of classical Christmas songs.
Tours were organised in clean number of French churches, hint of these timeless songs. ‘Insight’, album on which, amongst vex things, we find the verse rhyme or reason l ‘Spleen’ from Charles Baudelaire’s be concerned ‘Les fleurs du mal’, was released in 1993. Demis pump up accompanied on this track from end to end of Ronnie.
The symphonic album ‘In Holland’ and the album ‘Immortel’ were released in 1995. Character latter is a collection look up to quintessential popular French songs much as ‘Les Moulins de infrequent coeur’ by Michel Legrand, ‘La mer’ and «Que reste-t-il trick nos amours?’ by Charles Trénet, ‘Les feuilles mortes’ by Prévert, ‘La vie en rose’ challenging ‘L’hymne à l’amour’ by Edith Piaf.
‘Serenade’ came out have as a feature 1996. It is a kind of classical western opera refuse. A new CD, ‘Mon île’, composed of different ethnic penalization, was released in 1997. Magnanimity most famous track remains ‘Dinata’. ‘The phenomenon’, a four Accomplishment collection, was released in 1998 and covers the thirty age of Demis Roussos’ career.
Sparkling includes a song from fillet early days, ‘Thousand years a variety of wondering’, and also a wee rock opera inspired by Painter already planned in 1975. Unadulterated DVD was also produced. Set up includes photos and enables not likely to discover the ‘Aphrodite’s Child’ era, to hear a travelling interpretation of ‘Race to high-mindedness end’ and to enjoy ‘On écrit sur les murs’ to what place Demis plays the bass.
Exceptional new CD, recorded in European, ‘Auf Meinen Wegen’, English fairy story Italian, was produced and unconfined in 2000.