Demis Roussos dies aged 68

Demis Roussos has died at the age of 68.

The Greek singer – who released over 30 albums during his career – passed away in Hygeia Hospital in Athens on Sunday morning (25.01.15) due to an undisclosed illness.

The musician rose to fame as part of the progressive rock group Aphrodite’s Child with whom he released three albums in the 1960s, before going on to lead a successful solo career with hit singles ‘My Friend the Wind’, ‘My Reason’ and ‘Someday Somewhere’, as well as ‘Forever and Ever’ which topped the UK singles chart in 1976.

The star was born in Egypt in 1946 but fled to Greece during the Suez crisis, where he started his music career with a band called The Idols.

Throughout his successful career, Demis sold in excess of 60 million records worldwide and praised the British public for his success, saying it was because of the increase in tourism to Spain and Greece.

He said: ”The reason for my big success in England was the Brits – they started wanting to go on holidays, like Spain and Greece.

”My music came right on time. It was romantic Mediterranean music addressed to all the people who wanted to go on holiday. My music was liked by the people.”

During his life, the singer publicly struggled with obesity and previously co-wrote a book on the subject, and was once held as a prisoner by members of Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad in 1985 after a plane he was travelling on was hijacked.

Demis’ final public appearance was in 2013 when he was presented with the French Legion of Honour medal for his life’s work.

Fellow singer Nana Mouskouri has paid tribute to the late performer on a French radio station RTL, saying: ”He had a superb voice, he traveled in the world … he loved what he was doing.

”He was an artist, a friend. I hope he is in a better world.”