Celebrated internationally and praised in Greece, Demis Roussos died at Ygeia hospital in Athens on 25 January 2015.
Greeks at the time were glued to their TV sets as the radical left coalition SYRIZA party swept into power on the banner that it would tear up bailout agreements with Greece’s creditors. Along with the rapid political developments, the death of Roussos’ shook Greek society marking the end of an era.
A household name in his lifetime, he sold more than 60 million albums worldwide. Best known for his solo hits in the 1970s and 80s, he engraved himself in the hearts of listeners thanks to his sun-kissed Mediterranean pop and romantic ballads. Born in Alexandria when it was a melting pot of cultures and religions, he mixed with Armenians, Syrians, Italians and Egyptians, attended Greek school and performed at the Byzantine Church choir.
In his latter interviews however, he spoke of his real legacy – his children Emily and Cyril, referring to parenthood as a “full-time job”. Just a month before his death, Demis Roussos selected the tracks for an official CD compilation of his life’s work, including notes by his two children, which was released post-humously in March 2015.
Now, Cyril carries on the music legacy in his own way continuing the “conversation in melody, harmony and notes”.
Born in France, surrounded by music, he spoke to journalist Penelope Massouri about his father, the music industry today and his own dreams and life lessons.
What inspires you the most during recordings?
For me the studio process is one of collaboration and creativity. I’m not one of those artists who needs everything to be done the way I have it in my head during conception. I know I’m not perfect and I know that I don’t know everything. I like to get creative input by other musicians and sound technicians because I believe that creativity is more than just expression; it’s communication as well. So even though I show up to the studio with a guide for how I want a song to sound, I will listen to what my musicians have to say about how they are hearing the song and that immediately starts a conversation in melody, harmony and notes which sparks inspiration. After that if the results are good, I keep it and if I don’t like what I’m hearing; I don’t.
What does Paris mean to you? What about Athens? Is it the right time to return?
Both are cities that I love and have a long relationship with. But when it comes to music as a career I really don’t think that location matters anymore when it comes to development. An artist’s relevance and listener growth today relies on the internet and social media which you can engage in from any part of the world providing you have internet access. What is still relevant about location, or was until COVID-19 changed everything, is when it comes to performing live, which is the only way musicians can make any money besides selling physical merchandise. Some countries or cities have more venues than others, providing more opportunities for artists to perform. But as I mentioned before, with COVID-19 everything has changed. No one anywhere is performing and many venues all over the world are in danger of closing their doors for good. So for now I see little difference in where I am physically. Tomorrow is another story.
READ MORE: Greek singer Demis Roussos dies, age 68
When and how did you make your first journey to Greece?
I was too young to remember the first time I came to Greece; I was only three years old. But I remember visiting here often while growing up and of course what I remember the most are the islands and the summers, they were magical. They still are.
Describe a perfect day with your father which you’d like to remember.
ou know, we had a lot of people around us all the time, especially when I was a kid. So the best times that I spent with my dad were when it was just him and me. Whether it was hanging out and talking in the kitchen while Demis cooked or watching a movie together and then grabbing something to eat, those are the moments I remember the best and miss the most.
Which is your favourite film, song and book?
That is, believe it or not, the hardest question someone can ask me. There are so many to choose from that have left an impression on my life that to choose one seems regretful. But for now as an example I would say for film, “The Blues Brothers” for song, “Jeremy” (the unplugged version) by Pearl Jam and for books, “The Picnic and Suchlike Pandemonium” by Gerald Durrell.
What do you do to recharge your creative batteries? Where is your source of inspiration?
Inspiration can come from anywhere. Usually a moment or an event that leaves an impression on me can lead to a song. I get a lot of ideas when I travel as well. Going someplace natural by the sea or in the mountains is a great way to empty out the noise in your head, making some room for the muse to dance.
What gives you hope during difficult times?
My family. My wife is really good at pointing out the brighter side of life whenever I take life too seriously and my kids give me great hope as they grow. They are my greatest teachers.
Are there things which you wish you’d got to know when you were younger?
Everything! It’s funny, when I was a kid, people that are my age now used to tell me when reminiscing about been kids “If I knew then what I know now…” and I would make fun of them the same way my 12-year-old daughter makes fun of me now when I tell her exactly the same thing.
Which is the most important lesson which life has given you within the music scene and outside of it?
“To thy own self be true”. It took me a long time to understand what that actually means. If you try to build your life based on what others are expecting of you and whether or not you make them happy, either professionally or personally you will fail and fail badly at some point because you will eventually come to the inevitable conclusion that you are nothing more than a part of a machine built by others and that will make you miserable. Now on the other hand if you build your life based on who you truly are and what your’ true passions are, then as an individual you will feel purpose and that will make you happy and in my opinion, life is too short to be anything else.
Was there a song which made you struggle more than others when recording it?
Not really. I knew what I wanted for these songs and I was lucky enough to work with some very talented session musicians as well as my co-producer, so the process was fairly easy and a pleasure. I’m one of those people who if something troubles me or if I’m just stuck on something, I’ll put it to the side and work on something else, revisiting the problem later with fresh ears but in the case of “Opening Night” things just worked out perfectly.
When the crisis ends do you believe there will be a huge ‘boom’ of joy in everything, especially in the entertainment sector? How are you preparing for the possibility of that?
It’s possible. I think people will always want entertainment and will always want to go out to share that experience with others. So yes I do believe that if you open bars and clubs today, people will show up, just like if people are thirsty and you build a well, people will show up. Unfortunately I believe it will still be a while before we see that happen and certainly when that day comes it will come with measures that were not there before COVID-19. How that will translate practically and economically for bars and clubs, we will see but that will have a direct effect on how we as artists can prepare for that new paradigm. Until then all we can do is practice our instruments and wait.
READ MORE: Ten Greek musicians of world renown
What memories do you carry with you from the wild clubbing of the ’90s?
What a crazy time that was. Honestly there is a lot I don’t remember. But I do remember that it was when clubbing really started growing into something bigger. The sounds, the people, the vibe; it was all very exciting. We were still in an era when people lived in the moment without stopping every five minutes to take a selfie. The whole point of going out was to go out, not to go out so that you can have something to post on Instagram. People from very different backgrounds and lifestyles who would probably never meet under any other circumstance made connections by engaging with one another in clubs and having fun together. And what would be defined as “Club Music” was born in that era as well. So the music that DJs started playing was new and progressive and unlike anything we were used to hearing up until then in clubs…and it was just beginning. Every night was a party and we were so young and innocent. We thought it would last forever.
What are the three characteristics which you believe that your job requires?
You need to be able to listen. You need to trust your instincts. And you need to make mistakes so that you can learn from them.
Is your father a role model for you know that you are older?
I’m at an age now that I remember who my father had been with a clear recollection. My father and I are very different people even if we have a lot of similarities in our character, so there are many things on a personal level that just isn’t the same for me as it was for him. One thing I have tremendous respect for and hope that I have learnt from was his professionalism and his business sense when it came to the music industry. He knew what he was talking about when it came to that and of course he had a huge international career that lasted for many years which he learnt from.
Apart from music, which other talent do you wish you had?
I wish I could draw better. I’m not very good at that. I also wish I was smarter with money. I’m not very good at that either.
What do you most admire in a woman?
Patience. A woman can have endless patience when it comes to the things and people she loves and been that I am someone who you need a lot of patience with; I respect and admire that.
Are the rock stars idols or are doctors the real idols?
How I wish I could answer that it was either one of those but unfortunately I can’t. The truth is the idols of today are YouTubers, Instagram influencers and tech billionaires. As a society we are doing something very wrong.
What’s your motto?
Always carry two lighters and an umbrella.
