Renowned Greek crooner Demis Roussos dies in Athens hospital aged 68

World renowed Greek singer Demis Roussos, who became popular in the 1960s and 1970s, died in an Athens hospital this weekend at the age of 68. The Egyptian-born singer had been in the private hospital with an undisclosed illness for some time. Roussos sold around 60 million records worldwide and saw success when he joined the progressive rock band Aphrodite’s Child in 1967. 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.

Ever and ever, forever and ever you’ll be the one/ That shines in me like the morning sun.

Lyrics from the chart-topping single Forever And Ever

Roussos had long struggled with his weight, and in later years suffered ill-health that kept him chair-bound. He recorded and toured until 2009, when his last album came out. One of his last public appearances was in the Athens in 2013, when he received a French Legion of Honour medal for his life’s work. But it was his melancholy face on 1970s and 1980s album covers that provided the most enduring image of the singer: a theatrical figure with a flowing dark beard, intense dark eyes and long hair thinning on top.

Entertainment Demis Roussos