Artemios Ventouris-Roussos, a celebrated Greek singer, songwriter, and musician, was born on June 15, 1946, in Alexandria, Egypt, to a Greek family with a rich cultural heritage.
His father, George Roussos, a classical guitarist and engineer, and his mother, Olga, an amateur theatrical performer, played a significant role in shaping Demis's early life and artistic inclinations.
Growing up in a cosmopolitan environment, Demis was exposed to a diverse range of musical influences, including jazz, traditional Arab music, and Greek Orthodox music, which would later become integral to his unique sound.
As a young boy, Demis developed a profound passion for music, which led him to pursue formal studies and join the Greek Church Byzantine choir in Alexandria, where he honed his skills and nurtured his talent.
This early exposure to music would ultimately shape Demis's artistic identity and lay the foundation for his future success as a renowned singer, songwriter, and musician.
Following the tumultuous Suez Crisis, Demis's family was forced to relinquish their material possessions and relocate to Greece, marking a significant turning point in his life. It was in Greece that Demis embarked upon his musical odyssey, actively participating in various bands, including the Idols, a group that would eventually give rise to future collaborations with fellow musicians Evángelos Papathanassíou, better known as Vangelis, and Loukas Sideras.
As his musical pursuits continued to unfold, Demis joined the Athens-based band We Five, a cover band that, despite its limited success within Greece, provided a valuable platform for him to hone his craft and develop his skills as a musician.
Demetrius Andreas (Demis) Russos, a talented vocalist and musician, experienced a pivotal moment in his career in 1967 when he joined the pioneering progressive rock band Aphrodite's Child, alongside the illustrious Vangelis Papathanassiou and drummer Evangelos Sideras.
Initially, Demis assumed the role of lead singer, but as his musical journey progressed, he also developed his skills as a bass guitarist, ultimately contributing to the band's commercial success in France and Europe from 1968 to 1972.
The band's initial recording sessions were unfortunately delayed due to the May 1968 general strike in France, which had a significant impact on the music industry at the time. However, Aphrodite's Child persevered and eventually released their song "Rain and Tears" across Europe.
This iconic song, composed by the renowned Vangelis Papathanassiou and French lyricist Boris Bergman, showcased Demis's extraordinary high tenor vocals and became a minor hit in the United Kingdom, while achieving widespread success in numerous other countries around the world.
Demetrius Andreas "Demis" Roussos, a renowned Greek singer, songwriter, and musician, played a pivotal role in Aphrodite's Child's global acclaim, primarily on their groundbreaking album 666, a concept work inspired by passages from the Book of Revelation, which has since become a seminal and highly influential progressive rock masterpiece, beloved by fans worldwide.
As a prominent figure in the music industry, Demis Roussos achieved remarkable commercial success, with his music selling in excess of 60 million albums globally, making him one of the best-selling artists of his time.
