Aphrodite’s Child: Greek singer Demis Roussos died aged 69

Μόνο τεράστια θλίψη μπορεί να προκαλεί αυτή η είδηση. Ο τιτάνας Ντέμης με την ΑΠΙΣΤΕΥΤΗ φωνή. Φωνή ανυπέρβλητη και μοναδική που όμοιά της δεν έχει υπάρξει ούτε και πρόκειται να υπάρξει. Βρείτε μου έστω και έναν που να τον πλησιάζει. Εφυγε και αυτός από κοντά μας αφήνοντας παρακαταθήκη την μουσική του που τόσο αγαπήσαμε και που θα αγαπάμε μέχρι να πάμε και εμείς να τον βρούμε.

Ωρα καλή Ντέμη.

Zoe and The Storms - Akou Me  (1966) (Demis on Bass and Lucas Sideras on Drums, pre Aphrodite's Child)

Artemios “Demis” Ventouris Roussos was born June 15, 1946 and had international hit records as a solo performer in the 1970s after having been a member of Aphrodite’s Child, a progressive rock group that also included Vangelis. He has sold over 60 million albums worldwide.

Roussos was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt, in a family where his father George (engineer Yorgos Roussos) was Greek and mother Nelly Mazloum was Egyptian of Italian origin. His parents lost their possessions during the Suez Crisis and consequently decided to move to Greece.

He was best known for his solo hits in the 1970s and 80s, including Forever and Ever, Goodbye and Quand je t'aime.

Roussos was renowned for his off-screen role in Mike Leigh's 1977 TV play Abigail's party, having provided the party's soundtrack. 

Aphrodite's Child - End of the world (1968)

Ιntroduction
This is the story of three young friends, who travel from Greece to France in search of a better creative environment. Back in 1968 a military regime has taken over the government in Greece and just as many other Greek artists, Vangelis Papathanassiou, Demis Roussos and Lucas Sideras decide to leave their country. A fourth friend, Argyris Koulouris has to stay behind to fulfil his army duty. Although aiming to travel to England, Vangelis, Demis and Lukas first get in trouble as they are not allowed to enter the UK due to their work-permits, and then get stuck in Paris due to a transportation strike. By that time they decide to stay in Paris, and sign up with the Mercury record label as the band "Aphrodite's Child", with the help of Pierre Sberro.
Their first single "Rain and tears", released in May 1968, immediately strikes gold and becomes a huge hit worldwide. The song plays in France during the student riots, and is an instant success in France and other countries in Europe. Due to the success of the single it is time to record a full album "End of the world". The title song of the album, released in October 1968,  becomes the second single of Aphrodite's Child. A third single "Valley of sadness" is also shortly issued in France, but later quickly withdrawn.

Aphrodite's Child – Rain and Tears (1968)

 

Tracklist and Credits

1. "End of the World" (Boris Bergman, Vangelis Papathanassiou) – 3:11
2. "Don't Try to Catch a River" (Boris Bergman, Vangelis Papathanassiou) – 3:37
3. "Mister Thomas" (Boris Bergman, Vangelis Papathanassiou) – 2:47
4. "Rain and Tears" (Johann Pachelbel, Boris Bergman, Vangelis Papathanassiou) – 3:12
5. "The Grass Is No Green" (Boris Bergman, Vangelis Papathanassiou) – 5:59
6. "Valley of Sadness" (Boris Bergman, Vangelis Papathanassiou) – 3:11
7. "You Always Stand in My Way" (Boris Bergman, Vangelis Papathanassiou) – 3:53
8. "The Shepherd and the Moon" (Boris Bergman, Vangelis Papathanassiou) – 3:00
9. "Day of the Fool" (Boris Bergman, Vangelis Papathanassiou) – 5:51

Aphrodite's Child - End of the world (1968)

All songs composed by E. Papathanassiou.
All lyrics written by Boris Bergman.
Discography
LP
1968 Mercury 138 350 France/Greece/Holland/Spain
1968 Mercury  20140 SMCL UK
1969 Mercury SLP 66.001 Brazil
1969 Mercury 131.103 Chile
CD
1996 Mercury 532 866-2 Greece
2004 Mercury UICY-9371 Japan

Single
1968 Rain and tears / Don't try to catch a river Mercury 132 501 MCF France/Belgium/Holland/Greece/West-Germany/Italy/Spain/Norway/Turkey
1968 Rain and tears / Don't try to catch a river Mercury 4124 Greece
1968 Rain and tears / Don't try to catch a river RTB S53531 Yugoslavia
1968 Rain and tears / Don't try to catch a river Mercury Australia/Brazil/UK/Peru/South Africa/Rhodesia
1968 Rain and tears / Don't try to catch a river Philips 40549 Canada/USA
1968 Rain and tears / Don't try to catch a river Philips SFL-1178 Japan
1968 Rain and tears / Don't try to catch a river Lacsea Disques 68124 Cambodia
1969 End of the world / You always stand in my way Mercury 132 502 MCF France/Belgium/Holland/West-Germany/Italy/Spain/Turkey/Denmark/Singapore/Chile
1968 End of the world / You always stand in my way Mercury Greece/UK/Peru
1968 End of the world / You always stand in my way Philips 40587 Canada/USA
1968 End of the world / You always stand in my way Philips SFL-1202 Japan
1969 Valley of sadness / Mister Thomas Mercury 132 503 MCF (withdrawn)
1970 Valley of sadness / Funky Mary Mercury 6033010 Portugal

EP
1968 Rain and tears / Don't try to catch a river / The other people / Plastics nevermore  Mercury 74250 CXE France (Cassette)
1968 Rain and tears / The other people / Plastics nevermore / Don't try to catch a river  Mercury P 26 003 Portugal
1968 Rain and tears / Don't try to catch a river / End of the world / You always stand in my way Litratone 74208 Israel
1970 Rain and tears / Don't try to catch a river / Marie Jolie  Mercury 6234002 Portugal
1968 End of the world / The shepherd and the moon / You always stand in my way / Mister Thomas Mercury P 26 008 Portugal
Any of the LP's will be quite difficult to find. The cd is still available in Greece, so you might have better luck there.
Recording Studio
The music for this album is recorded in Studio Polydor in Paris.
 http://www.vangelismovements.com

Aphrodite's Child - It's Five O Clock (1969)

Introduction
The success of the first album "End of the world" calls for the release of the next, so Vangelis, Demis and Lucas go back into the studio. What did not seem possible a year before, now finally is and the three Greeks travel to London and record "It's five o'clock" in the Trident Studios.
The first single from this album "Let me love, let me live", released in October 1969 makes it to a number one position in the French charts, but it is the B-side "Marie Jolie" that is most popular in the rest of Europe. The title track "It's five o'clock" quickly follows the same path, released in December 1969 it does well in the charts of many European countries.
Shortly after the release of the album the band starts touring in Spain and Italy, but without Vangelis though who prefers to stay in the studio. To replace Vangelis on keyboards fellow Greek Harris Chalkitis joins the band on stage. In the meantime Vangelis works on his very first solo project, the score to the Henry Chapier film "Sex Power"....

Aphrodite's Child - It's Five O Clock (1970)

 

Tracklist and Credits

1. It's Five O'Clock – 3:31 (Richard Francis, Vangelis Papathanassiou)
2. Wake Up – 4:04 (Richard Francis, Vangelis Papathanassiou)
3. Take Your Time – 2:39 (Richard Francis, Vangelis Papathanassiou)
4. Annabella – 3:45 (Richard Adams, Demis Roussos)
5. Let Me Love, Let Me Live – 4:43 (Richard Francis, Lucas Sideras)
6. Funky Mary – 4:11 (Richard Francis, Vangelis Papathanassiou)
7. Good Time So Fine – 2:45 (Valerie Johnson, Vangelis Papathanassiou)
8. Marie Jolie – 4:41 (Richard Francis, Vangelis Papathanassiou)
9. Such a Funny Night – 4:34 (Richard Francis, Vangelis Papathanassiou)

All songs composed by Vangelis Papathanassiou, except (4) by Demis Roussos and (5) by Lucas Sideras.
Lyrics by Richard Francis (1, 2, 3,5 and 8), R. Adams (4 and 9), Lucas Sideras (6) and V. Johnson (7).
Additional credits, as printed on the cd
Discography
LP
1969 Mercury 138 351 France/Spain/Switzerland/Greece/Canada/Lebanon
1970 Polydor 2383 009 UK
1970 Philips BY-5170 Japan
CD
1996 Mercury 532 953-2 Greece
2004 Mercury UICY-9372 Japan

Single
1969 Let me love, let me live / Marie Jolie Mercury 132 506 MCF France/Holland/West-Germany/Italy/Spain/Portugal/Turkey/Yugoslavia
1969 Let me love, let me live / Marie Jolie Mercury Greece/South Africa
1969 Let me love, let me live / Marie Jolie Polydor 56785 UK
1969 Let me love, let me live / Such a funny night Mercury 132 507 MCF France (withdrawn)
1970 It's five o'clock / Funky Mary Mercury 132 508 MCF France/Belgium/Holland/West-Germany/Italy/Spain/Canada/Singapore/Chile
1970 It's five o'clock / Funky Mary Mercury 6033001 Greece
1970 It's five o'clock / Funky Mary Polydor 56791 UK
1970 It's five o'clock / Funky Mary Philips SFL-1274 Japan
1970 It's five o'clock / Wake up Philips 6060021 Turkey
1970 Marie Jolie / It's five o'clock Mercury CSM06L.014 Brazil
1970 It's five o'clock / Marie Jolie Top 4 EX-4370 Iran
1970 It's five o'clock / Good times so fine / Take your time / Annabella (EP) Mercury 26017 MCE Portugal
 
1970 Such a funny night / Wake up Mercury 6033002 Portugal
1970 Such a funny night / Rain and Tears Mercury 486 Venezuela
1970 Annabella / Such a funny night Mercury 6033005 Greece
1970 Annabella / Take your time Philips 6060022 Turkey
1970 Annabella / Take your time Hurses H39 Turkey
1971 Such a funny night / Don't try to catch a river Mercury 6033006 Belgium/Holland
1971 Such a funny night / Annabella Mercury 6033007 West-Germany/Lebanon
1971 Such a funny night / Let me love, let me live Mercury 6033008 Brazil
Recording Studio
The music for this album is recorded in Trident Studios in London.
http://www.vangelismovements.com

Aphrodite's Child - 666 (1972)

Introduction
By the time Vangelis starts working on the third Aphrodite's Child album his friend Argyris Koulouris joins the band after fulfilling his army duty in Greece. At the end of 1970 a conceptual album, based on the a part of the New Testament, The Apocalypse of St. John is  conceived by Vangelis and Costas Ferris. The entire album takes over a year to complete, and when it is finally ready for release, the band has already split up, with all members working on solo albums...
Production problems for the album are numerous, as the band members were not on very good terms during the recording sessions. Then Mercury, the band's record label adds to the troubles by objecting to the specific content of the album, and although Vangelis refuses to remove offending tracks (such as 'oo' Infinity), the album is brought back to the released issue of 80 minutes.
One single makes it off the album, "Break/Babylon" is released in November 1972, but that can not turn the album into a commercial success at the time. Today however the experimental "666" has received widespread acknowledgement and is regarded as a classic work and milestone in progressive rock!

Aphrodite's Child - The Four Horsemen (1972)

 

Tracklist Vinyl release

Side One                                                                                                   

No.   Title                                                                        Length             

1.      "The System"                                                            0:23                 

2.      "Babylon"                                                                  2:47                 

3.      "Loud, Loud, Loud"                                                    2:42                 

4.      "The Four Horsemen"                                                5:53                 

5.      "The Lamb" (Instrumental)                                        4:34                 

6.      "The Seventh Seal"                                                    1:30                 

Side Two                                                                                                   

No.   Title                                                                        Length             

1.      "Aegean Sea"                                                            5:22                 

2.      "Seven Bowls"                                                           1:28                 

3.      "The Wakening Beast" (Instrumental)                         1:11                 

4.      "Lament"                                                                  2:45                 

5.      "The Marching Beast" (Instrumental)                          2:00                 

6.      "The Battle of the Locusts" (Instrumental)                  0:56                 

7.      "Do It"                                                                      1:44                 

8.      "Tribulation" (Instrumental)                                        0:32                 

9.      "The Beast"                                                               2:26                 

10.    "Ofis"                                                                        0:14                 

Side Three                                                                                                 

No.   Title                                                                        Length             

1.      "Seven Trumpets"                                                     0:35                 

2.      "Altamont"                                                                4:33                 

3.      "The Wedding of the Lamb" (Instrumental)                 3:38                 

4.      "The Capture of the Beast" (Instrumental)                  2:17                 

5.      "∞" (Infinity)                                                             5:15                 

6.      "Hic and Nunc"                                                          2:55                 

Side Four                                                                                                   

No.   Title                                                                        Length             

1.      "All the Seats Were Occupied"                                    19:21               

2.      "Break"                                                                     2:59                       

Credits
All music composed, arranged and produced by Vangelis Papathanassiou.
Text written by Costas Ferris.
Played by Aphrodite's Child.
Additional credits, as printed on the cd

Discography
LP
1972 Vertigo 6673001 West-Germany/France/Greece/Israel/South Korea
Vertigo Canada/Italy/Japan/USA
Vertigo RJ-5038 Japan (re-issue with different cover)
Vertigo 6641581 UK (re-issue with different cover)
2002 Vertigo Europe (re-issue)
CD
Vertigo 838 430-2 West-Germany
Vertigo Japan, 1st and 2nd issue
One way records OW31375 USA
Telewestel EUCD 0061 Hungary
2004 Vertigo UICY-9373/4 Japan
EP
1972 The System / Babylon / Hic et Nunc / Break / The Beast / Ofis Vertigo 6234100 Chile
1972 Hic et Nunc / Break / Babylon / The Lamb VEPL-1 USA
Single
1972 Break / Babylon Vertigo 6032900 France/Holland/Holland/Spain/UK/Portugal/Brazil
1972 Break / The seventh seal Vertigo 2-004 Venezuela
1972 Babylon / Break Mercury 6033011 Greece
Both the LP and CD are still easily found these days.
Recording Studio
The music for this album is recorded in the Europa-Sonor Studio in Paris.
http://www.vangelismovements.com

Aphrodite's Child – I Want to Live (1969)

Demis Roussos - Forever and Ever