View source for Demis Roussos

{{Short description|Greek singer-songwriter (1946–2015)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix   = 
| name               = Demis Roussos
| honorific_suffix   = 
| image              = Demis Roussos (press)2.jpg
| alt                = 
| caption            = Roussos in 1973
| native_name        = {{nobold|Ντέμης Ρούσσος}}
| native_name_lang   = el
| other_names        = 
| birth_name         = Artemios Ventouris-Roussos
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|1946|6|15|df=yes}}
| birth_place        = [[Alexandria]], Egypt
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|2015|1|25|1946|6|15|df=yes}}
| death_place        = [[Athens]], Greece
| death_cause        = 
| resting_place = [[First Cemetery of Athens]]
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
* Singer
* songwriter
* musician
}}
| years_active       = 1963–2014
| spouse             = 
| partner            = 
| children           = 
| parents            = 
| relatives          = 
| awards             = 
| website            = 
| signature          = 
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes
 | genre            = {{flatlist|
* [[Folk-pop]]
* [[World music|world]]
* [[folk rock]]
* [[Rock music|rock]]
* [[Progressive music|progressive]]
* [[Schlager music|schlager]]
}}
 | instrument       = {{flatlist|
* Vocals
* bass guitar
* guitar
* trumpet<!--- If you think an instrument should be listed or removed, a discussion to reach consensus is needed first per: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Infobox_musical_artist#instrument--->
}}
 | label            = {{flatlist|
* [[Mercury Records|Mercury]]
* [[Philips Records|Philips]]
* [[Universal Music Group|Universal]]
* [[EMI Records|EMI]]
}}
 | current_member_of = 
 | past_member_of    = [[Aphrodite's Child]]
}}
}}
'''Artemios''' "'''Demis'''" '''Ventouris-Roussos''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|uː|s|oʊ|s}} {{respell|ROO|sohss}}; {{langx|el|Αρτέμιος "Ντέμης" Βεντούρης-Ρούσσος}}, {{IPA|el|arˈtemi.oz ˈdemiz venˈduriz ˈrusos|IPA}}; 15 June 1946 – 25 January 2015) was a Greek-Egyptian singer, songwriter and musician. As a band member, he is best remembered for his work in the progressive rock music act [[Aphrodite's Child]], but as a vocal soloist, his repertoire included hit songs like "[[Goodbye, My Love, Goodbye]]", "[[From Souvenirs to Souvenirs]]" and "[[Forever and Ever (Demis Roussos song)|Forever and Ever]]".

Roussos sold over 60 million albums worldwide<ref name=bbc>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30984851|title=Greek singer Demis Roussos dies aged 68|work=BBC News|date=26 January 2015 |access-date=26 January 2015}}</ref> and became "an unlikely [[kaftan]]-wearing [[sex symbol]]".<ref name="Telegraph obituary">{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11369590/Demis-Roussos-singer-obituary.html | title=Demis Roussos, singer – obituary | work=The Telegraph | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=27 January 2015}}</ref>

==Early life==
Roussos was born and raised in [[Alexandria]], [[Egypt]], in a [[Greek people|Greek]] family.<ref name="Roussos 1982 "/><ref name="om on 6/15/47 in Alexandria, ">{{cite book |title= The Book of Golden Discs |url= https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr |url-access= registration |last= Murrells |first= Joseph |year= 1978 |publisher= Barrie and Jenkins |isbn=978-0-214-20480-7 |quote=Demis Roussos was born in Alexandria (Egypt) of Greek parents on 15 June 1947, his parents also being artistic, father a classical guitarist and engineer, mother a singer. |page=[https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/235 235] }}</ref> His father, George (Yorgos) Roussos, was a classical guitarist and an engineer, and his mother, Olga (1923–2019), participated with her husband in an amateur theatrical Greek group in Alexandria (there were three such groups in the Greek community); her family originally came from Greece.<ref name="Roussos 1982 ">{{cite book |title= A question of weight |last= Roussos |first= Demis |year= 1982 |publisher= M. Laffon |isbn=978-2-86804-008-4 |quote= I was born on the 15th of June 1946 in Alexandria, of Greek parents who had lived in Egypt for two generations. Olga, my mother, was born into a merchant family who left Greece to seek their fortune in the East. My father, Georges |page= [https://archive.org/details/questionofweight00rous/page/18 18] |url-access= registration |url= https://archive.org/details/questionofweight00rous/page/18 }}</ref> His maternal grandparents were from [[Chios]] and immigrated to
Alexandria after the [[Asia Minor Catastrophe]]. His paternal grandparents were from [[Chania]]. His grandfather moved to Egypt in the early 1900s along with his future wife who was underaged. He changed his surname from Ventouris to Roussos to hide from her family.<ref>[https://www.alithia.gr/koinonia/afieroma-ston-ntemi-roysso-i-artemio-ventoyri-kai-tin-manoyla-toy-olga-milaiti-papamihalaki Αφιέρωμα στον Ντέμη Ρούσσος ή Αρτέμιο Βεντούρη και την μανούλα του Όλγα Μιλαΐτη-Παπαμιχαλάκη-Βεντούρη alithia.gr]</ref>

As a child, Roussos studied music and joined the [[Greek Orthodox Church|Greek Church]] Byzantine choir in Alexandria.<ref name="Guardian P. Walker"/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/5/33/121372/Arts--Culture/Music/Egyptborn-Greek-singer-Demis-Roussos-dies-at--VIDE.aspx | title=Egypt-born Greek singer Demis Roussos dies at 68 | work=[[Al-Ahram]] | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=27 January 2015 | author=Metwaly, Ali}}</ref> His formative years in the ancient port city's cosmopolitan atmosphere were influenced by [[jazz]], but also traditional Arabic and [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Greek Orthodox]] music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-demis-roussos-20150129-story.html)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526162430/http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-demis-roussos-20150129-story.html)|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 May 2015|title=Demis Roussos dies at 68; popular Greek singer had a global following|work=Los Angeles Times|date=28 January 2015|access-date=29 January 2015}}</ref> His parents lost their possessions during the [[Suez Crisis]] in 1956 and consequently decided to move to Greece.<ref name="Mambo Egyptiano">{{cite web |author=Injy El-Kashef |url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/643/li1.htm |title=Al-Ahram Weekly &#124; Mambo Egyptiano |publisher=Weekly.ahram.org.eg |date=25 June 2003 |access-date=21 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605103237/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/643/li1.htm |archive-date=5 June 2011}}</ref>{{fv|date=November 2024}}

==Musical career==
After settling in Greece, Roussos participated in a series of musical groups beginning with the Idols when he was 17, where he met Evángelos Papathanassíou (later known as [[Vangelis]]) and [[Loukas Sideras]], his future bandmates in [[Aphrodite's Child]].<ref name=reuters>{{cite news |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-roussos-idUSKBN0KZ1X620150126 |title=Greek singer Demis Roussos dead at 68 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=26 January 2015 |access-date=30 November 2017}}</ref> After this, he joined the [[Athens]]-based band We Five, another cover band which had limited success in Greece.<ref name=guardian>{{cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/26/demis-roussos |title=Demis Roussos obituary |first=Dave |last=Laing |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=26 January 2015 |access-date=30 November 2017}}</ref>

Roussos's operatic vocal style helped propel the band to international success, notably on their final album ''[[666 (Aphrodite's Child album)|666]]'', based on passages from the [[Book of Revelation]], which became a [[progressive rock]] cult classic.<ref name=guardian/>

After Aphrodite's Child disbanded, Roussos continued to record sporadically with his former bandmate Vangelis. In 1970, the two released the [[Soundtrack album|film score album]] ''Sex Power'' (the album has also been credited to Aphrodite's Child), and later recorded the 1977 album ''Magic'' together. Their most successful collaboration was "Race to the End" (also sung in Spanish as "Tu Libertad"), a vocal adaptation of the musical theme from the [[Academy Award|Oscar]]-winning film ''[[Chariots of Fire]]'' (scored by Vangelis). Roussos also guested on Vangelis' soundtrack to ''[[Blade Runner]]'' (1982),<ref name="Greek Reporter Jan. 26">{{cite web |url= http://greece.greekreporter.com/2015/01/26/famous-greek-singer-demis-roussos-dies-dead/ |title=Famous Greek Singer Demis Roussos Dies at 68 |work=Greek Reporter |date=26 January 2015 |access-date=26 January 2015 |last=Zikakou |first=Ioanna}}</ref> on the tracks "Tales of the Future", "Damask Rose", "Taffey's Snake Pit Bar", and "On the Trail of Nexus 6" (several only available in non-[[Bootleg (music)|bootleg]] form on the 29th Anniversary Limited Edition CD set released in 2011).

==Solo career==
Roussos also began a solo career with the song "[[We Shall Dance]]" in 1971, which was a top ten hit in both the [[Netherlands]] and [[Belgium]]. Initially unsuccessful, he toured around Europe and became a leading artist. His solo career peaked in the mid 1970s with several hit albums.<ref name="Greek Reporter Jan. 26"/> His single "[[Forever and Ever (Demis Roussos song)|Forever and Ever]]" topped the charts in several countries in 1973. It was No. 1 in the [[UK Singles Chart]] in 1976.<ref name="Guardian P. Walker">{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/26/demis-roussos-dies-aged-69-greek-singer-forever-and-ever | title=Demis Roussos, Greek singer of Forever and Ever, dies aged 68 | work=The Guardian' | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=26 January 2015 | author=Walker, Peter}}</ref> 

Other hits by Roussos included "[[My Friend the Wind]]", "[[My Reason]]", "[[Velvet Mornings]]", "[[Goodbye, My Love, Goodbye|Goodbye My Love, Goodbye]]", "[[Someday Somewhere]]" and "[[Lovely Lady of Arcadia]]". His first UK single to chart was in 1975: "[[Happy to Be on an Island in the Sun]]", written by Northern Irishman [[Dave Lewis (British musician)|David Lewis]], with the record reaching No. 5 on the charts.<ref name="Telegraph obituary"/> His popularity in the rest of Europe, but not the UK, came to fascinate BBC TV producer John King who made a documentary titled "The Roussos Phenomenon" in 1976. [[Philips Records]] released a [[The Roussos Phenomenon|four-song record of the same name]], which was the first [[extended play]] to top the UK singles chart.<ref name="Guardian Jan. 26, #2">{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/26/demis-roussos | title=Demis Roussos obituary | work=The Guardian | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=27 January 2015 | author=Laing, Dave}}</ref> He was equally successful across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Japan.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://wwno.org/post/prog-rock-pioneer-kitsch-king-remembering-demis-roussos | title=From Prog-Rock Pioneer To Kitsch King: Remembering Demis Roussos | publisher=WWNO | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=27 January 2015 | author=Tsioulcas, Anastasia}}</ref>

In 1973, Roussos made one of his earliest television appearances on ''[[The Basil Brush Show]]''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.sky.com/story/1415163/greek-singer-demis-roussos-dies-aged-68 | title=Greek Singer Demis Roussos Dies Aged 68 | publisher=Sky News | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=27 January 2015}}</ref> and also appeared on [[Nana Mouskouri]]'s TV show in the UK.<ref name="Guardian Jan. 26, #2"/> In 1978 he had his only disco hit titled "L-O-V-E (Got A Hold Of Me)". In 1980, he had a hit with a cover of [[Air Supply]]'s "[[Lost in Love (Demis Roussos song)|Lost in Love]]",<ref>{{in lang|it}} {{cite web | url=http://www.repubblica.it/spettacoli/musica/2015/01/26/news/morto_demis_roussos_fu_il_cantante_degli_aphrodite_s_child-105806520/ | title=È morto Demis Roussos, fu il cantante degli Aphrodite's Child | work=[[la Repubblica]] | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=27 January 2015 | author=Brighenti, Flavio}}</ref> sung as a duet with [[Florence Warner]].<ref>{{in lang|es}} {{cite news | url=http://cultura.elpais.com/cultura/2015/01/26/actualidad/1422272800_214662.html | title=El cantante Demis Roussos muere a los 68 años en Atenas | newspaper=[[El País]] | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=27 January 2015 | author=Manrique, Diego A.}}</ref>

Roussos' run of hits was maintained in the 1980s mainly in France with a number two "[[Quand je t'aime]]" in 1988 and "[[On écrit sur les murs]]" in 1989, along with golden records for the albums ''[[Le Grec (album)|Le Grec]]'' and ''Voice and Vision''. Also his ''Christmas Album'' and ''Greatest Hits'' easily reached the gold status in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. In 1989, he recorded the song "Young Love", a duet with German singer and songwriter [[Drafi Deutscher]], which was released as a single in Germany and reached No. 2 on the German music TV show ''[[ZDF-Hitparade]]'' in October that year.<ref>{{in lang|de}} {{cite news | url=http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/demis-roussos-aphrodite-s-child-musiker-ist-tot-a-1015040.html | title=Aphrodite's Child: Demis Roussos ist tot | newspaper=[[Der Spiegel]] | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=27 January 2015}}</ref> 

In 1982, Roussos released an album simply titled Demis, on which [[Jon Anderson]] of the band [[Yes (band)|Yes]] collaborated, writing one song music and lyrics ''Lament'' and writing lyrics on two others, the first one ''Song For The Free'' and the other one ''Race to the end'' with music by [[Vangelis]]. This song is a cover of Vangelis' hit ''[[Chariots of Fire]]'', on which Jon Anderson wrote the lyrics for Roussos.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

The 1990s saw even more substantial releases by Roussos. In 1993, he released "Insight" (also called "Morning Has Broken") to general acclaim. After that he teamed up with BR Music in the Netherlands to produce "Immortel", "Serenade" and "In Holland".<ref>{{in lang|el}} {{cite web | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.gr/2015/01/26/culture-demis-roussos-synarpastiki-zoi-_n_6545940.html | title=H συναρπαστική ζωή του Ντέμη Ρούσσου: Πούλησε εκατομμύρια δίσκους, πάλεψε με την κατάθλιψη και βρέθηκε όμηρος σε αεροπειρατεία | publisher=Huffington Post Greece | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=27 January 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Demis Roussos in Kiev.png|thumb|220px|Roussos in [[Kyiv]], 2010]]
Roussos continued to record and tour. In 2002 he toured England when a "[[Greatest hits album|best of]]" collection he made, ''[[Forever and Ever – Definitive Collection]]'', reached no. 17 on the [[UK Albums Chart]]<ref name="Telegraph obituary"/> 

In more recent years he appeared in Russia and the [[United Arab Emirates]].{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} A committed follower of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Greek Orthodox]] faith, he sang as a guest in a number of churches in Greece and worldwide, including France.<ref name="Guardian Jan. 26, #2" />

In 2006, he released ''Demis Roussos – Live in Brasil'',<ref>{{in lang|pt}} {{cite web | url=http://tribunadonorte.com.br/noticia/cantor-grego-demis-roussos-morre-aos-68-anos/304218 | title=Cantor grego Demis Roussos morre aos 68 anos | publisher=Tribuna do Norte | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=27 January 2015}}</ref> almost thirty years after "Você Você e Nada Mais", a [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] hit in 1977.<ref>{{in lang|pt}} {{cite web | url=http://www.publico.pt/culturaipsilon/noticia/morreu-demis-roussos-o-cantor-de-forever-and-ever-1683393 | title=Morreu Demis Roussos, o cantor que ajudou a criar a banda-sonora dos anos 1970 | work=[[Público (Portugal)|Público]] | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=27 January 2015 | author=Lopes, Mário}}</ref> From 2006 to 2008, he was part of the ''Âge Tendre et Têtes de Bois'' tour, a series of concerts featuring French singers from the 1960s and 1970s.<ref>{{in lang|fr}} {{cite web | url=http://next.liberation.fr/musique/2015/01/26/demis-roussos-est-mort_1188972 | title=Demis Roussos est mort | work=[[Libération]] | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=27 January 2015 | archive-date=28 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128223453/http://next.liberation.fr/musique/2015/01/26/demis-roussos-est-mort_1188972 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{in lang|fr}} {{cite web | url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Age-tendre/news-77533.html | title="Age tendre et tête de bois" en tournée symphonique ! | publisher=Charts in France | date=6 January 2012 | access-date=27 January 2015 | author=Bellery, Steven}}</ref>

Roussos staged a comeback in 2009, wherein he recorded his final studio album, ''Demis'', produced by {{interlanguage link|Marc di Domenico|fr|vertical-align=sup}}, released on 11 May.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/11369568/Demis-Roussos-singer-dies.html | title=Demis Roussos, the celebrated Greek singer, dies aged 68 | work=The Daily Telegraph |date=26 January 2015 |access-date=27 January 2015 |last=Chilton |first=Martin}}</ref> On this album [[Steve Howe]]'s son [[Virgil Howe|Virgil]] plays drums. 

Just one month before his death, Roussos selected the tracks for an official CD compilation of his life's work, including notes by his two children Emily and Cyril. The CD, ''Demis Roussos Collected'', was released in March 2015.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}} It became a number one album in the Belgian album charts and reached number 61 in the Netherlands.

=== Michel Elefteriades ===
Demis Roussos collaborated with [[Michel Elefteriades]] on many songs which Elefteriades rearranged in an oriental fusion;<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.linernotes.com/o/1/Michel_Elefteriades |title=Michel Elefteriades |work=LinerNotes.com |access-date=10 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20150211090341/http://www.linernotes.com/o/1/Michel_Elefteriades |year=2015 |archive-date=11 February 2015}}</ref> the project was called Demis Roussos & the Oriental Roots Orchestra.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/908202/un-habitue-du-liban.html |title=Un habitué du Liban |work=L'Orient-Le Jour |date=27 January 2015 |access-date=30 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2007/836/profile.htm |title=Michel Elefteriades: My favourite emperor |first=Youssef |last=Rakha |work=Al-Ahram Weekly |year=2007 |access-date=30 November 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131111020122/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2007/836/profile.htm |archive-date=11 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://m.cokestudiome.com/season1/michel-elefterriades.html |title=Michel Elefterriades |work=CokeStudioMe.com |year=2015 |access-date=30 November 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20150211090315/http://m.cokestudiome.com/season1/michel-elefterriades.html |archive-date=11 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.peoples.ru/art/music/pop/russos/video-287505.shtml |title=Demis Roussos & The Oriental Roots Orchestra – The Beast |work=Peoples.ru |year=2015 |access-date=30 November 2017}}</ref> This project was first presented at the Mediterraneo Byblos Festival in 2001<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fr.annahar.com/article/208905-le-chanteur-grec-demis-roussos-est-mort|title=Demis Roussos, enfant d'Aphrodite devenu star planétaire, est mort|work=An-Nahar|access-date=10 February 2015|archive-date=10 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210235426/http://fr.annahar.com/article/208905-le-chanteur-grec-demis-roussos-est-mort|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.libanvision.com/byblos.htm |title=Byblos Liban Ville Site Archéologie, Phénicie, Histoire Moyen Orient, Festival BYBLOS Jbeil Lebanon, Culture Tourisme Culturel, Hotel Charme |work=libanvision.com |access-date=10 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/349053/FESTIVAL_MEDITERRANEO_DE_BYBLOS_-_Demis_Roussos_%3A_dernier_concert%2C_ce_soir_-_La_nostalgie_a_l%27orientale.html|title=FESTIVAL MEDITERRANEO DE BYBLOS – Demis Roussos : dernier concert, ce soir – La nostalgie à l'orientale|author=Z. Z. |work=L'Orient-Le Jour |date=September 2001 |access-date=10 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Culture/Art/2001/Aug-21/103963-byblos-kicks-off-its-mediterraneo-2001.ashx|title=Byblos kicks off its Mediterraneo 2001|work=The Daily Star Newspaper – Lebanon|access-date=13 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://aeskuwait09.wordpress.com/2009/01/19/michel-elefteriades/ |title=CULTURE > Michel Elefteriades, The Beirut Music Hall |access-date=8 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211030800/https://aeskuwait09.wordpress.com/2009/01/19/michel-elefteriades/ |archive-date=11 February 2015 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.demislegrec.com/francais/biographie.html |title=Biographie de Demis Roussos |author=André&nbsp;et Cédric Bellot |work=demislegrec.com |access-date=10 February 2015}}</ref> and shortly after became an international success in the Arab world<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.last.fm/music/Demis+Roussos+&+The+National+Orchestra+of+Nowheristan |title=Demis Roussos & The National Orchestra of Nowheristan |work=Last.fm |access-date=10 February 2015}}</ref> later being staged again in Egypt and [[Qatar]]. Elefteriades also composed, wrote and arranged the song "The Beast" for Roussos and directed the video for it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spike.com/video-clips/htcytz/demis-roussos-the-oriental-roots-orchestra-the-beast |title=Demis Roussos & the Oriental Roots Orchestra- The Beast |work=Spike.com |access-date=10 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211013048/http://www.spike.com/video-clips/htcytz/demis-roussos-the-oriental-roots-orchestra-the-beast |archive-date=11 February 2015 }}</ref>

==1985 TWA plane hijacking==
In June 1985, Roussos was among the passengers of [[TWA Flight 847]] from Athens to Rome, which was hijacked, but he was released along with four other Greeks after five days while most of the other hostages remained there for 17 days.<ref name="Guardian Jan. 26, #2"/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://apnews.com/b6e8f5e3dc8a5fa7d353f0a316fed86e | title=Key Points in the Hijack of TWA Flight 847 | publisher=apnewsarchive.com | access-date=13 November 2013}}</ref> 

==Illness and death==
[[File:Demis Roussos in Baku 2-cropped.jpg|thumb|Roussos in 2014]]
For years, Roussos struggled with his weight. In June 1980 he weighed {{convert|147|kg|st lb|0}}. He then began a diet in which he lost {{Convert|50|kg|st lb|0|abbr=on}} in 10 months.<ref>{{cite web|author=André BELLOT |url=http://www.demislegrec.com/anglais/biographie.html |title=Aphrodite's Child |publisher=Demislegrec.com |access-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> In 1982 he co-authored the book ''A Question of Weight'' with his close friend, the photographer [[Veronique Skawinska]], in which he dealt candidly with his struggles with [[obesity]].<ref>{{in lang|es}} {{cite web | url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/espectaculos/2015/muere-cantante-griego-demis-roussos-1071812.html | title=Muere el cantante griego Demis Roussos | publisher=[[El Universal (Mexico City)|El Universal]] | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=27 January 2015 | archive-date=29 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129053324/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/espectaculos/2015/muere-cantante-griego-demis-roussos-1071812.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Roussos died in the morning of 25 January 2015 at age 68 from [[stomach cancer]], [[pancreatic cancer]], and [[liver cancer]] while hospitalised at [[Ygeia Hospital]] in Athens, Greece. His death was confirmed a day later by a friend, the journalist [[Nikos Aliagas]], who tweeted the news on 26 January 2015 in both Greek and French.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.iefimerida.gr/news/188657/pethane-o-ntemis-royssos-ta-minymata-toy-aliaga-sto-twitter | title=Πέθανε ο Ντέμης Ρούσσος – Τα μηνύματα του Αλιάγα στο Twitter (Demis Roussos died – The messages of Nikos Aliagas on Twitter | website=Iefimerida.gr | date=26 January 2015 | access-date=26 January 2015 |language=el}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Zikakou|first=Ioanna|title=Famous Greek Singer Demis Roussos Dies at 68|url=http://greece.greekreporter.com/2015/01/26/famous-greek-singer-demis-roussos-dies-dead/|work =GreekReporter.com|date=26 January 2015|access-date=26 January 2015}}</ref> His death was also confirmed later on the same day by his daughter, who spoke to Greek and French media.

Fellow Greek singer [[Nana Mouskouri]] paid tribute to Roussos on the French radio station [[RTL (French radio)|RTL]], saying "He had a superb voice, he travelled in the world ... he loved what he was doing... He was an artist, a friend. I hope he is in a better world."<ref name=bbc/>

Roussos' funeral was held at the [[First Cemetery of Athens]], the burial place of many Greek politicians and cultural figures, on 30 January. The singer [[Mariza Koch]] said, "His was a voice which awakened emotions in people and honoured Greece wherever it reached. We bid farewell to Demis." Composer [[Giorgos Hatzinasios]] commented, "I can still hear his heartfelt laugh in my ears and I want to bid farewell to him with nostalgia and love."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euronews.com/2015/01/30/funeral-of-singer-demis-roussos-held-in-athens/|title=Funeral of singer Demis Roussos held in Athens|work=euronews|date=30 January 2015 |access-date=10 February 2015}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Roussos was married three<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/demis-roussos-singer-who-began-as-a-progrocker-then-achieved-massive-solo-success-with-his-brand-of-sunkissed-easy-listening-10004094.html|title=Demis Roussos: Singer who began as a prog-rocker then achieved massive solo success with his brand of sunkissed easy listening|work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romaniajournal.ro/famous-greek-singer-demis-roussos-dies-at-68/|title=Famous Greek singer Demis Roussos dies at 68|author=Alina Butu|work=The Romania Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vokrug.tv/person/show/Demis_Roussos/|title=Демис Руссос (Demis Roussos), : фото, биография, фильмография, новости — Вокруг ТВ.|work=vokrug.tv|date=2 November 2023 |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gazeta.aif.ru/_/online/sv/161/13_01|script-title=ru:Как Демис Руссос был заложником |website=Aif.ru|access-date=27 January 2015|language=ru}}</ref> or possibly four<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/demis-roussos-obituary-pops-portly-pavarotti/story-fnb64oi6-1227198110924|title=Subscribe – theaustralian|website=The Australian|access-date=28 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://dni.ru/culture/2015/1/26/292866.html|title=Скончался певец Демис Руссос|website=Dni.ru|access-date=28 October 2017}}</ref> times. He had a daughter, Emily, with his first wife, Monique. With his second wife, Dominique, he had a son, Cyril. Both of Roussos' children are musicians.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/26/demis-roussos|title=Demis Roussos obituary |author=Dave Laing |work=[[The Guardian]]|date=26 January 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-30984851|title=Greek singer Demis Roussos dies aged 68|work=BBC News|date=26 January 2015 }}</ref> His third wife, the American model Pamela Smith, now Pamela Roussos-Rațiu (wife of the Romanian businessman Indrei Rațiu, married in 2004),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indreiandpamelaratiu.com/ |title=Welcome to Pamela Ratiu's website |access-date=13 July 2015 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714034725/http://www.indreiandpamelaratiu.com/ |archive-date=14 July 2015 }}</ref> was with him during the 1985 TWA plane hijacking incident.<ref>[http://adevarul.ro/locale/cluj-napoca/foto-ostatici-intr-unavion-deturnat-hezbollah-viata-film-pamelei-ratiu-alaturide-fostul-sot-demis-roussos-1_5426d24a0d133766a8792c73/index.html FOTO Ostatici într-un avion deturnat de Hezbollah: viaţa de film a Pamelei Raţiu alături de fostul soţ, Demis Roussos], [[Adevărul]], {{in lang|ro}}</ref> His fourth, and last, wife was a Parisian named Marie.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aif.ru/dontknows/file/Demis_Russos_biograficheskaia_spravka|script-title=ru:Чем запомнился Демис Руссос?|website=Aif.ru|date=26 January 2015|language=ru}}</ref>

Roussos listed [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart|Mozart]] and [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] among his favourite composers.<ref name=TVNZ>{{cite web |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/entertainment-news/he-had-superb-voice-tributes-paid-greek-singer-demis-roussos-6224637 |title='He had a superb voice' – tributes paid to Greek singer Demis Roussos |access-date=29 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130191819/http://tvnz.co.nz/entertainment-news/he-had-superb-voice-tributes-paid-greek-singer-demis-roussos-6224637 |archive-date=30 January 2015 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
Roussos is the subject of an argument between two main characters in the TV adaptation of [[Mike Leigh]]'s 1977 play ''[[Abigail's Party]]''. On the day of Roussos' death, actress [[Alison Steadman]] was interviewed by [[BBC Radio 4]]'s ''[[PM (BBC Radio 4)|PM]]'' and discussed the significance of the music in the play.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05061zd|title=BBC Radio 4 – PM, 26/01/2015|publisher=BBC|access-date=26 January 2015}}</ref>

On 15 June 2016, his children Emily and Cyril opened the Demis Roussos Museum in [[Nijkerk]], [[Netherlands]]. After his death, the curator initiated the procedure to move the museum to Greece. <ref name=museum>{{cite news |last=Pater |first=Maranke  |date=29 August 2018 |title=Demis Roussos museum Nijkerk verkast naar Griekse bodem|url=https://www.ad.nl/amersfoort/demis-roussos-museum-nijkerk-verkast-naar-griekse-bodem~a1746b9d/|work=[[Algemeen Dagblad]]|language=nl|trans-title=Demis Roussos [[Nijkerk]] museum relocated to Greek soil|access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref>

The [[Bollywood]] song "Mehbooba Mehbooba" from the film ''[[Sholay]]'' is based on Roussos "Say You Love Me". In an interview,{{when|date=October 2023}} its director [[Ramesh Sippy]] related attending a Roussos concert in London. His wife asked him to incorporate this song into ''Sholay'''s music track.<ref>{{cite news|title=Interview with Ramesh Sippy|place=India|publisher=[[Lehren]] retro}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=October 2023}}

"Forever and Ever" appears in the soundtrack of the 2015 film “ A Man Called Ove” and in the 2020 film ''[[Palm Springs (2020 film)|Palm Springs]]''.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

== Awards and honours ==
* Asteroid [[279226 Demisroussos]], discovered by Russian amateur astronomer [[Timur Valer'evič Krjačko|Timur Krjačko]] at the [[Zelenchukskaya Station]] in 2009, was named in his honor.<ref name="MPC-object" /> The official {{MoMP|279226|naming citation}} was published by the [[Minor Planet Center]] on 14 May 2014 ({{small|[[Minor Planet Circulars|MPC]] 88407}}).<ref name="MPC-Circulars-Archive" />

== Discography ==
{{Main|Demis Roussos discography}}
Among Demis Roussos's most famous songs are "[[We Shall Dance]]" (released as a single in 1971), "[[My Reason]]" (1972), "[[Goodbye, My Love, Goodbye]]", "[[Velvet Mornings]]", "[[My Friend the Wind]]", "[[Lovely Lady of Arcadia]]" (1973), "[[Someday Somewhere]]" (1974), "[[My Only Fascination]]" (1974), "[[From Souvenirs to Souvenirs]]" (1975), "[[Quand je t'aime]]" (1987), "[[On écrit sur les murs]]" (1989).

; Studio albums 
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
* 1971: ''[[On the Greek Side of My Mind]]'' <small>(a.k.a. ''Fire and Ice'')</small>
* 1973: ''[[Forever and Ever (Demis Roussos album)|Forever and Ever]]''
* 1974: ''[[My Only Fascination (album)|My Only Fascination]]''
* 1974: ''[[Auf Wiedersehn (album)|Auf Wiedersehn]]'' <small>(in German)</small>
* 1975: ''[[Souvenirs (Demis Roussos album)|Souvenirs]]''
* 1976: ''[[Happy to Be...]]''
* 1976: ''[[Die Nacht und der Wein]]'' <small>(in German)</small>
* 1976: ''[[Kyrila – Insel der Träume]]'' <small>(in German)</small>
* 1977: ''[[The Demis Roussos Magic]]''
* 1977: ''Ainsi soit-il'' <small>(in French)</small>
* 1978: ''[[Demis Roussos (album)|Demis Roussos]]''
* 1979: ''Universum''
* 1980: ''[[Man of the World (Demis Roussos album)|Man of the World]]''
* 1982: ''[[Demis (Demis Roussos 1982 album)|Demis]]''
* 1982: ''[[Attitudes (Demis Roussos album)|Attitudes]]''
* 1984: ''[[Reflection (Demis Roussos album)|Reflection]]''
{{col-2}}
* 1985: ''Senza tempo''
* 1986: ''[[Greater Love (Demis Roussos album)|Greater Love]]''
* 1987: ''[[The Story of Demis Roussos]]''
* 1987: ''[[Come All Ye Faithful (Demis Roussos album)|Come All Ye Faithful]]'' <small>(a.k.a. ''Glory'') (Christmas album)</small>
* 1988: ''[[Le Grec (album)|Le Grec]]'' <small>(in French)</small>
* 1988: ''[[Time (Demis Roussos album)|Time]]''
* 1989: ''Voice and Vision''
* 1991: ''Photo Fixe''
* 1993: ''Insight'' <small>(a.k.a. ''Morning has Broken'' or ''Adagio'')</small>
* 1995: ''Demis Roussos in Holland''
* 1995: ''Immortel''
* 1996: ''Serenade''
* 1997: ''Mon île'' <small>(in French)</small>
* 2000: ''Auf meinen Wegen'' <small>(in German)</small>
* 2009: ''[[Demis (Demis Roussos 2009 album)|Demis]]''
* 2016: ''Demis Roussos complete 28 original albums + DVD''<ref>[https://www.discogs.com/fr/Demis-Roussos-Complete-28-Original-Albums-Dvd-Journey-With-My-Father/release/12087255 Demis Roussos – Complete 28 Original Albums + DVD Journey With My Father], discogs.com</ref>
{{col-end}}

== Filmography ==
* 1966: ''Na zi kaneis i na mi zi?'' –  a singer {{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* 1969: ''L'homme qui venait du Cher'' (TV movie) {{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}  
* 2012: ''A Greek Type of Problem'' – [[Pope|The Pope]] {{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
* 1982: ''Tales Of The Future (Movie) Blade Runner'' (vocalist – uncredited)

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|refs=

<ref name="MPC-object">{{cite web
  |title      = 279226 Demisroussos (2009 UR103)
  |work       = Minor Planet Center
  |url        = https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?object_id=279226
  |access-date = 9 September 2019}}</ref>

<ref name="MPC-Circulars-Archive">{{cite web
  |title      = MPC/MPO/MPS Archive
  |work       = Minor Planet Center
  |url        = https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/ECS/MPCArchive/MPCArchive_TBL.html
  |access-date = 9 September 2019}}</ref>

}} <!-- end of reflist -->

== External links ==
{{commons category-inline|Demis Roussos}}
* {{IMDb name|0746096}}
* {{Discogs artist|artist=Demis Roussos|name=Demis Roussos}}
* [http://www.allmusic.com/artist/demis-roussos-mn0000243851/discography Demis Roussos] discography at [[Allmusic]]
* (IT) [http://www.demisroussos.org Demis Roussos], complete discography [http://www.demisroussos.org/ demisroussos.org]

{{Demis Roussos}}
{{Aphrodite's Child}}
{{List of Festivalbar winners}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roussos, Demis}}
[[Category:Demis Roussos| ]]
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:2015 deaths]]
[[Category:Deaths from pancreatic cancer in Greece]]
[[Category:Deaths from liver cancer in Greece]]
[[Category:Deaths from stomach cancer in Greece]]
[[Category:Greek Orthodox Christians from Egypt]]
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[[Category:English-language singers from Greece]]
[[Category:French-language singers of Greece]]
[[Category:German-language singers of Greece]]
[[Category:Egyptian people of Greek descent]]
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[[Category:Hijacking survivors]]
[[Category:Greek rock singers]]
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[[Category:Members of the Church of Greece]]
[[Category:Musicians from Alexandria]]
[[Category:Male actors from Alexandria]]
[[Category:Greek laïko singers]]
[[Category:Progressive rock musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Greek male singers]]
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[[Category:Burials at the First Cemetery of Athens]]
[[Category:20th-century guitarists]]
[[Category:21st-century Greek guitarists]]
[[Category:Barclay Records artists]]
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[[Category:World Music Awards winners]]
[[Category:Male bass guitarists]]