Famously the hijackers even celebrated his birthday with him as they were impressed by having a man who remained a big celebrity in southern Europe as a hostage.
He was one of the passengers of TWA Flight 847 that was hijacked on June 14, 1985. Roussos suffered a fallow period during the 1980s in terms of hits and his output dried up as he battled clinical depression. In 1982, he co-authored the book 'A Question of Weight' with his close friend Veronique Skawinska in which he dealt candidly with his struggles with obesity.
He was equally successful across Europe and in Latin America, although a gold disc for the LP 'Demis' remains his only success in the United States. He re-recorded his songs in a number of languages and with his Number One hit 'The Roussos Phenomenon EP' being the first of its kind for an African-born artist in the history of the UK Singles Chart. Demis was also known for a reproduction of Air Supply's Lost in Love.
He was mentioned famously at Abigail's Party and made his first appearance on English-speaking TV on the Basil Brush Show. Other hits were My Friend the Wind, My Reason, Velvet Mornings, Goodbye, My Love, Goodbye, Someday and Lovely Lady of Arcadia. His single, Forever and Ever, topped the charts in several countries in 1973. His solo career peaked in the 1970s with several hit albums. Initially unsuccessful, he toured southern Europe and soon became a leading vocalist. Roussos also began a solo career following the collapse of the band, beginning with the song 'We Shall Dance'. Their most successful outing was Race to the End, a vocal adaptation of the musical theme from the Oscar winning film Chariots of Fire that in Castillano is called La Libertad, whilst Roussos also appeared as a guest on the soundtrack to Blade Runner (1982). In 1970 the two released 'Sex Power' (although the album has also been disputably credited to Aphrodite's Child), also recording the 1977 album 'Magic' together. His distinctive operatic vocal style helped propel the band to international success, notably on their final album 666, which became something of a cult classic.Īfter the collapse of Aphrodite's Child, Roussos continued to record sporadically with his former bandmate Vangelis. He came to a wider audience in 1968 when he joined progressive rock band Aphrodite's Child, initially as singer but later also playing bass guitar. After this he joined We Five (not the San Francisco, California folk-rock group), another covers band which had limited success in Greece.
After returning to Greece, Demis was in a series of musical groups beginning with The Idols when he was 17. His mother, Olga, is better known by her acting name, Nelly Mazloum. His parents lost everything and returned to Greece after the Suez Crisis. He was born in Egypt to expatriate Greeks (his parents George and Olga having also been born in Egypt) and raised in Alexandria.
Vagabund Der Liebe It's Five O Clock Because En El Nombre De La Amistad ( Song For The Free Spanish ) Die Bouzouki Lament Seasons Of Love The Promise Margarita Song For You Let It Happen Morir Al Lado De Mi Amor Tu Libertad ( Race To The End Spanish ) Les Nuits D'emilyne Race To The End Song For The Free La Course Infinie My Emotions Names The Wedding Song We Pretend Lovely Sunny Days Far Away Lost In A Dream Rebecca Adagio Lost In Love Island Of Love My Broken Souvenirs Summerwine (With Nancy Boyd) My Face In The Rain Santa Lucia In Love Let It Be Me Mamy Blue Ainsi Soit-Il Paloma Blanca Serenade Sing An Ode To Love Una Furtiva Lagrima When A Child Is Born Amazing Grace The Moon And I I Just Live I Hear You Know September (i'm On My Way) One Way Wind Stand By Me I Need You If You Remember Me Time I'll Find My Way Home That Once In A Lifetime Jerusalem Of Gold Break I'll Be Home End Of The World L.o.v.e.Artemios (Demis) Ventouris Roussos was a Greek singer, born on Jin Alexandria, Egypt and dead on Januin Athens, Greece.
Forever And Ever Nature Boy Take Me Sailing Lovely Lady Of Arcadia I'll Be Your Friend Goodbye My Love, Goodbye Follow Me We Shall Dance My Friend The Wind Rain And Tears My Reason Velvet Mornings Spring Summer Winter And Fall Quand Je T'aime I Want To Live Happy To Be On An Island In The Sun Mon Amour (Duet With Anny Schilder) Marie Jolie Such A Funny Night My Only Fascination With You From Souvenirs To Souvenirs Someday Somewhere Perdoname When Forever Has Gone Mourir Aupres De Mon Amour (Je Te Dirai Des Mots) No Way Out Life In The City Hit Me Kyrila Trauriges Maedchen V.