Singer Demis Roussos Dies at 68

Officials announced the death of Greek Singer Demis Roussos. After hospitalization for an undisclosed illness, Roussos died at age 68.

According to BBC reports, Roussos died at the Hygeia Hospital in Athens. His funeral will be held at the First Cemetery of Athens on January 30. Roussos was born on June 15, 1946 in Alexandria Egypt. He joined his first musical group, The Idols at age 17. In 1967 he joined progressive rock group Aphrodite’s Child which led to the take off of his career. He did both vocals and was the bass guitarist for Aphrodite’s Child. The group gained successes in various locations outside of Greece including France and Europe. Some of the groups most popular hits included “Rain and Tears” and “I Want To Live”.

Following the disbanding of the group, Roussos decided to go solo. His first solo track, “We Shall Dance” came out in 1971. Some of his most successful singles include “Forever and Ever”, “Happy To Be On An Island In The Sun”, and “Goodbye My Love, Goodbye”. Roussos sold more than 60 million albums worldwide.

Alongside his musical career, Roussos took on other notable projects during his lifetime. The issue of weight was of great concern to him because he had trouble maintaining his own. In 1982 he partnered with Veronique Skawinska to co-write A Question of Weight. Roussos appeared on TV shows and in films, making one of the earliest appearances on The Basil Brush Show.

According to NME, fellow Greek singer Nana Mouskouri had the following to say about Roussos: “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.”