Greek musician Demis Roussos, known to many as the singer of Vangelis' early prog rock band Aphrodite's Child, has passed away. He was 68.
The exact cause of death is unknown, but the BBC reports that he had an extended stay in the hospital with an undisclosed illness. Roussos died on Sunday (January 25) at Hygeia Hospital in Athens, Greece.
Born in Egypt, Roussos' family later moved to Greece, where the musician got his start in the '60s groups the Idols and We Five. He found success in the late '60s and early '70s when he formed Aphrodite's Child as a bassist and vocalist.
Even after Aphrodite's Child broke up, Roussos continued to work with Vangelis, and he sung a vocal adaption of the theme song from the latter's Chariots of Fire score. Roussos also handled vocals on "Tales of the Future" from Vangelis' Blade Runner soundtrack.
Roussos found success as a solo artist in the '70s and continued to remain active as a musician, going on to release albums in the '80s, '90s and 2000s.
Vangelis issued the following statement about Roussos:
Demis my friend,
I have just arrived in London and I've been told that you decide to take the long voyage. I'm shocked because I can't believe that this happened so soon.
Nature gave you this magic voice of yours which made millions of people around the world very happy.
As for me, I keep those special memories that we share together those early days and I wish you to be happy whenever you are.
Goodbye my friend goodbye
Love
Vangelis
In his personal life, Roussos struggled with obesity and in 1982 co-authored a book called A Question of Weight. In 1985, he was among the hostages in the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 and was released on the fifth day of the ordeal.
The exact cause of death is unknown, but the BBC reports that he had an extended stay in the hospital with an undisclosed illness. Roussos died on Sunday (January 25) at Hygeia Hospital in Athens, Greece.
Born in Egypt, Roussos' family later moved to Greece, where the musician got his start in the '60s groups the Idols and We Five. He found success in the late '60s and early '70s when he formed Aphrodite's Child as a bassist and vocalist.
Even after Aphrodite's Child broke up, Roussos continued to work with Vangelis, and he sung a vocal adaption of the theme song from the latter's Chariots of Fire score. Roussos also handled vocals on "Tales of the Future" from Vangelis' Blade Runner soundtrack.
Roussos found success as a solo artist in the '70s and continued to remain active as a musician, going on to release albums in the '80s, '90s and 2000s.
Vangelis issued the following statement about Roussos:
Demis my friend,
I have just arrived in London and I've been told that you decide to take the long voyage. I'm shocked because I can't believe that this happened so soon.
Nature gave you this magic voice of yours which made millions of people around the world very happy.
As for me, I keep those special memories that we share together those early days and I wish you to be happy whenever you are.
Goodbye my friend goodbye
Love
Vangelis
In his personal life, Roussos struggled with obesity and in 1982 co-authored a book called A Question of Weight. In 1985, he was among the hostages in the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 and was released on the fifth day of the ordeal.