Demis Roussos

[homer]

Whatever happened to the kaftaned songster?

[andy hughes]

Although considered something of an MOR novelty act in the UK, Demis Roussos has managed to create a career as a major musician and recording artist in just about every other country where music is enjoyed.
His image here is forever encapsulated as a fat bearded Greek man who sang a novelty song "Happy To Be" and then disappeared.
In reality, Demis is no longer fat - he shed his weighty image some years ago, and he never was Greek - he's Egyptian!
His career before his solo work, as bassist and vocalist with the influential Aphrodite's Child, has seen him as a credible and appreciated musician. He continues to record and work in mainland Europe, and releases a mixture of remixed hit singles and albums, together with new material. Demis may be a forgotten novelty in England, but he probably doesn't care - anyone who can enjoy his birthday celebrations with a group of terrorists who hijacked his plane, and confessed they were fans, probably doesn't worry too much about the lack of a UK fanbase!