Biography
Artemios Roussos, the son of Greek parents, George and Olga, was born on June 15, 1946 in Egypt, in the city of Alexandria.

The other day, a pop legend and an entire era passed away musical history, the famous singer with Greek roots Demis Roussos. The artist died in a hospital in his homeland in Athens. Until now, the details of Roussos' death remained unclear, as close stars kept them secret. But the musician’s daughter decided to be the first to talk about her father and why he died.

The woman gave a short interview to a French publication in which she said that Demis Roussos suffered from cancer. She also described her relationship with the musician, saying that he was “more of an artist than a father.” The Greek singer, whose real name is Artimios Venturis Roussos, has been performing on stage for almost five decades. A few days later he had a concert planned in Moscow in honor of his 50th anniversary creative activity. But now Russian fans of Roussos can only mourn their idol.

Demis Roussos died last Sunday

From cancer at 9.30 local time last Sunday. They say that the artist suffered for a long time from cancer of the stomach, pancreas and liver. “Our family members, including myself, were shocked. Although I knew that he had been ill for the last few months, and I understood perfectly well that one day this moment would come. My brother, my mother and I were with him at last hours his life,” the daughter said about the death of her father Demis Roussos.

The singer died of cancer

Emily Roussos also said that mourning the ceremony will take place on Friday at one of the largest cemeteries in Athens. She added that each of the singer's fans can come to the ceremony and pay tribute and respect to the artist. “The ceremony will be open to journalists, fans and fans. My father's friends, other musicians and other people who looked up to him will be present,” Emily said.

The artist suffered from stomach and pancreatic cancer

Demis Roussos was born in Alexandria (Egypt) in 1946, his parents were from Greece. The boy was brought up in musical family, so it was as if the fate of an artist was destined for him.In 1963, at the age of 16, Demis Roussos created a musical group. But success came to the artist only 10 years later with the album “Forever & Ever”. Demis left two children - daughter Emily and son Cyril, who also followed in his father's footsteps and began to study music.

Legendary artist in his youth

Demis Roussos will be buried on Friday in Athens

Demis Roussos was called a living legend of music and a unique singer who had amazing talent. His death shocked the whole world, which continues to grieve about the great loss.

Photo source:

To the 70th anniversary of the birth of DEMIS ROUSSOS

Demis Roussos truly had a completely unique voice, and no other singer in the world could compete with him. The second equally unique voice was that of the great Polish singer Anna German, who was loved and appreciated much more in the USSR than in her homeland.

Demis Roussos. Hits of different years

https://my.mail.ru/mail/01.anna.anna/video/1/46.html

DEMIS ROUSSOS - A MAN - AN EPIC!

The great Greek performer was born in Alexandria, Egypt on June 15, 1946. His real name is Artemios Ventouris Roussos.

In his memoirs, he forever retained a living memory and love for his hometown: “Alexandria is a city with a Greek spirit, built by Alexander the Great (Macedonian), with a large Greek community and a strong Orthodox patriarchate of the same name.

When I remember my childhood, pictures of childhood memories sometimes give me the feeling that I am watching a film based on Agatha Christie novels...

From Alexandria I took my love for the stage. This love was a tradition in our family. Both my father and my mother suffered from it. We wanted to make people happy."

His parents - George and Olga - were famous Greeks in Egypt: his mother was famous singer, and my father, although he was an engineer by profession, played the classical guitar.

Little Demis studied music and was a member of the Byzantine church choir in his native Alexandria. When the Suez Crisis broke out under Nasser, his family lost all their property and were forced to return to Greece.

Already in Greece, his passion for music at the age of 17 led him to the then famous group Idols, where he met Vangelis Papathanasiou (known throughout the world as Vangelis) and Lucas Sideras, with whom he would later create the rock band Aphrodite's Child (“ Child of Aphrodite").

The group became widely known in 1968 during the Paris Spring with the song "Rain & Tears". The music for the group was written by Vangelis Papaphanasiou - he also played the keys, and tenor Demis played the double bass and was the main performer.

The specific tenor of Demis, who was often called “the fat man with a thin voice,” helped the group gain worldwide fame. From 1968 to 1971, their singles consistently reached number one in the European charts for three years.

Demis Roussos himself believed that the group’s success was ensured by the correct “timing”: “All of Paris was on fire, choking from tear gases, and we sang... Rain & Tears.”

Demis Roussos (Aphrodite's Child) - Rain And Tears

The group recorded several singles, three of which received worldwide success. The most significant was their last single - their "swan song" - called "666 - Apocalypse of John", which is considered one of the classics in progressive rock music.

Demis began his solo career in 1971 with the single “We shall dance,” which was not particularly successful. But the breakthrough came a couple of years later with the song “Forever and Ever,” which topped the charts in many countries in 1973.

Demis Roussos - My friend the wind, 1973

The songs “My Friend The Wind”, “My Reason”, “Velvet Mornings”, “Goodbye My Love, Goodbye”, “Someday Somewhere” and “Lovely Lady Of Arcadia” brought worldwide fame to the singer.

Photo of the joint tour from Joe and Demis magazine SALUT LES COPAINS, 1973

Demis Roussos and Joe Dassin, 1973

In collaboration with Vangelis Papaphanasiou (Vangelis), the album “Sex Power” was released in 1970 (sometimes this record is attributed to the group Aphrodite’s Child), and in 1977, “Magic”.

But their most successful and famous collaboration was the song “Race to the End” from the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire.

Songs of Demis Roussos have been published in many languages ​​of the world, in many countries of Europe and Latin America. In total, he recorded 42 albums, and total sales exceeded 70 million!

In 1982, his book “A Question of Weight” was published, in which the singer talks about his victory over excess weight: he managed to lose 50 kg in 10 months, dropping his weight from 147 kg to 97!

After a long period of struggle with depression, which he suffered from for more than 10 years, Demis Roussos returned to the stage in 1993 with the album “Insight”, also known as “Morning has Broken”.

In subsequent years, the singer continued his career, performing concerts around the world and recording discs.

In 2003, he performed before the leaders of 40 countries at a concert in St. Petersburg on the 300th anniversary of the founding of the city.

In 2010, from Athens, Demis Roussos begins a world tour dedicated to the 40th anniversary of his professional career.

Demis Roussos and Charles Aznavour

In September 2013, France awarded the Greek singer the Order of the Legion of Honor, the country's highest award.

Awarding Demis Roussos with the title of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor

Russian astronomer Timur Kryachko expressed a kind of tribute to the singer, who gave his name to the asteroid he discovered solar system(279226 Demisroussos - 2009 UR103).

Demis Roussos stood out sharply against the backdrop of the dominant Western style with both his distinctive voice and unique in a scenic manner, and a special manner of contact with the viewer, unlike other prototypes of the Western style.

The style of clothing, behavior, thick, flowing beard - all this fascinated the viewer even before the singer began to sing - and he had no choice but to completely surrender to the power of the unique voice of his favorite.

An interesting incident happened to the singer in June 1985. Demis Roussos, together with his future wife Pamela, flew from Athens to Rome on TWA flight 847.

The flight was hijacked by Lebanese terrorists and the plane made an emergency landing, first in Beirut and then in Algeria. The singer had to spend several days on board with the terrorists.

Having learned that Demis Roussos was among the hostages, they not only asked for his autograph, but also celebrated his birthday on June 15 and were one of the first to release him a couple of days later.

The singer’s popularity in Arab countries was not hindered even by the enormous popularity of this Greek in Israel, where he often toured and recorded one of his hits, “Golden Jerusalem.”

His popularity was enormous in Russia, and Demis Roussos reciprocated this.

In one of his interviews in Moscow, he stated: “ Russia is my second homeland. I really love your audience and really love coming to Moscow.

It seems to me that I already know this city very well, and still, every visit I discover something new for myself, I always find out what to do and what to see in free time, although I never plan any mandatory program for myself in advance.

I also really love Russian cuisine, although I don’t really understand it, to be honest. I love dumplings and pancakes and, of course, your famous black caviar,” he shared.

As for food, he admitted that it occupies an important part in his life: “For me, the main thing is music, food and women, and in that order.”

Demis Roussos (1946-2015) is a Greek singer and multi-instrumentalist, he was born on June 15, 1946 in Alexandria (Egypt). During his lifetime, he sold more than 60 million albums. This musician has been repeatedly called the “Greek nightingale” for his amazing vocals. Girls and boys of different ages cried to his amazing love songs. A performer could give up to 150 concerts per year.

Childhood and love for music

Creative skills were inherited by the singer. His mother was a professional dancer in her youth, and her husband played the guitar excellently. From childhood they taught their son to folk music. The boy loved to sing Byzantine and Arabic tunes, and soon he joined the church choir. Demis remained there for five years, during which time he completely mastered music theory.

Demis was the first son of singer Nelly and engineer Yorgos. Later his brother Kostas was born. The family lived in abundance; shortly after the birth of their second son, they decided to move to Greece. The reason for this decision was the Suez crisis. The parents had to leave all their savings in Alexandria. They started new life in the mid 60s.

Roussos studied at the Athenian Music College. There he was taught to play the double bass, organ and trumpet. Later, the young man repeatedly performed as part of musical groups. They played on ships and in hotels in Athens, the audience mainly consisting of tourists. The first team founded by Demis and his cousin was called “Idols”. He managed to gain popularity not only in Greece, but also in many European cities.

In bands, Roussos always played musical instruments. It was only in the late 1960s that he first appeared on stage as a vocalist. The audience was delighted with the performance of old songs, and soon the musician began singing on a regular basis. In 1966, a song was written especially for him. In 1968, the singer created new project We Five, with which he hoped to conquer Europe.

After the military coup in Greece, the guys decided to go to London. But they failed to get through customs, so they had to change their plans urgently. The musicians went to Paris, where they were able to meet with the heads of the recording studio.

Nobody wanted to work with beginning performers without a contract. The band members rented a small basement in which the song Rain & Tears was written. They were able to record it at a studio that immediately closed as a result of the strike. Suddenly the composition took first place on the chart. The team began to be recognized on the streets, they were invited to perform throughout the south of France. Producer Lou Reinsner began promoting the group; he suggested changing the name to “Child of Aphrodite.”

Solo career

The Roussos group was successful; they and the musicians earned good money. But for the singer, creativity always came first. He wanted to create an original interesting music, which could compete with foreign markets. Demis repeatedly suggested stopping touring in order to sit in the studio to record an album. His wish was fulfilled, and as a result the team released the album “666”. It was the last one in the group's history.

In 1971, due to disagreements with colleagues, Roussos decided to take up solo career. In November of the same year, his solo album was released. It was followed by the single We Shall Dance. It was recognized as a worldwide hit in the summer of 1972, entered all the charts and remained in the top positions for a long time.

Until 1975, the artist managed to record three albums. His popularity was so great that Roussos was included in the Guinness Book of Records. The singer's albums sold at incredible speed. He recorded songs in English and French and traveled all over the world with concerts.

Other achievements

Roussos' music was played in the films Blade Runner and Chariots of Fire. The singer also wrote a book about his weight loss. This topic always made Demis uncomfortable; he could not lose weight. It was possible to do this only in 1985 after being released from two weeks of terrorist captivity.

Demis's last album was released in 2009. At that time he constantly traveled from Germany to France and back. In adulthood, the singer began to get sick often, his immunity was weakened. On the night of January 25, 2015, Roussos died in a hospital in Athens. The elections were taking place exactly that day, so his death was announced only on January 26.

Favorite wives of the musician

Roussos was a famous heartthrob. In total he was married three times. The singer met his first wife at the beginning of his career. Monique became his faithful friend and supported the musician in everything. They got married and had a daughter, Emily. But later difficulties arose due to Demis’s annoying fans. Monique couldn't stand it, so she took her daughter and left for France.

The artist did not suffer for long; he was soon consoled in the arms of the “woman of his dreams,” Dominique. After the wedding, she gave birth to his son Cyril. The heartthrob was happy, but could not refuse casual relationships with fans. Despite all the declarations of love for his wife, he repeatedly cheated on her. The wayward Dominique did not want to forgive the betrayal, she filed for divorce and left for Chicago. The son stayed with his father, and later his grandparents took care of his upbringing.

After breaking up with Dominique, the singer fell in love with the American model Pamela. They met by chance in a bookstore, and the romance began almost immediately. A few months after they met, the couple was captured. They were flying on a plane that was hijacked by terrorists. After his release, Roussos proposed to his beloved, but this marriage soon broke up.

In 1994, Demis met yoga instructor Maria Teresa. The woman was French, she fell madly in love with a charming singer. He later said that it was Maria who remained in his life longer than anyone else. She left everything and went to Greece with her beloved. The relationship was not formalized; the couple chose to live in a civil marriage.

In an interview, Roussos said that for him there is no ideal woman. The only condition was undivided love for him. The singer wanted to see a passionate and devoted girl next to him, he was extremely jealous. At the same time, Demis himself could not boast of loyalty. At the sight of attractive fans, he lost his head, again and again wasting time on meaningless affairs.

Already in adulthood, the artist fell in love with Elena Kurakova. At that time, the girl was only 22 years old, but this did not stop her from agreeing to the marriage proposal. The wedding never took place, the reasons are unknown.