Greek singer loved by fans worldwide for his kaftans and 1970s hit Forever and EverFew pop artists of the past 50 years achieved such global recognition as Demis Roussos, who has died aged 68. The kaftan-clad, middle-of-the-road crooner was reported to have sold more than 60m records in his long career. Yet despite his huge success, his portly stature and tousled beard attracted criticism and mirth – in Mike Leigh’s 1977 play Abigail’s Party, for instance, the hapless hostess Beverly, played by Alison Steadman, is revealed to be one of his most ardent fans.One of Roussos’s most enduring signature songs – and one beloved by Beverly – was the title track of his 1973 album Forever and Ever. The album reached No 2 in the UK charts in 1974. It was followed by Happy to Be On an Island in the Sun, a specially written number by David Lewis shrewdly aimed at the British fondness for Mediterranean holidays, and a top 10 hit in 1975, as was the accompanying album. Roussos said: “The reason for my big success in England was that the Brits started wanting to go on holidays to Greece and Spain. My music came right on time. It was romantic Mediterranean music addressed to all those people.” Continue reading...
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