Remembering Demis Roussos - whose voice swam with the rhythm of music

Teen age is the age when one loves to listen to hard, thrilling and fast moving music as was the mood in my teenage in the late sixties and early seventies. I was then avid listener of The Beatles, Abba, The Iron Butterfly, Tom Jones and many top artists of the time and I still do listen to them from my saved collection of LPs and CDs.

But then someday a new voice went by me - the voice was so melodious, enchanting and absorbing that I fast re winded the cassette I was listening to and played it again: It was Forever and Ever by  an unknown singer to me - Demis Roussos.  But from that day onward, Demis became one of my top of the chart singer. Since then, there hasn't been any song by this legendary singer that I have missed listen to.

Born in Alexandria, Egypt in a Greek family, Demis came and captured the hearts of millions, just like the Egyptian born Omar Sharif did as an actor,  and his albums sold like hot cakes. His Forever and Ever was his debut to take him directly to the hall of fame and his melodious voice changed moods of people engrossed in depression and boosted their spirits.

His family moved to Greece after they lost all their possessions in the Suez Canal conflict of the 50s and he went into the music. He joined many bands, but it was his We shall dance in the early 70s that sent ripples in the music industry and music lovers. But 1973's Forever and Ever was the breakthrough and from then on there was no turning back.

It was too sad when we lost Demis in 2015 - but his melodies stay behind - still as  fresh as these were sung for the first time and heard across the globe. He had some 60 millions albums sold. In 2016, Demis' children Emily and Cyril opened the Demis Roussos Museum in Nijkerk, The Netherlands. The museum is a run down of Demis' life, his photos, awards and music. The Netherlands was chosen because of the connection Roussos had from 1986 onwards with Dutch-based label BR Music.

This post will be incomplete if his most sung song is not shared - one of his most melodious and famous song that still echoes in my memory lane since I first listened to it in my teenage:

Demis Roussos will always be missed - forever and ever !!

Photo Demis Roussos Courtesy Old Time Religion Radio Hour
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I am the Walrus

'I am the Walrus' was one of my favourite Beatles song that was once on hit charts in the 60s. And when I visited the Dolfinarium in the city of Harderwijk, Netherlands last September, seeing the huge walrus reminded me once again of the song and while I watch the show, I also slowly sang the song along. It was as if I was sitting and watching the show in the late 60s.

Before I share the photos of the walrus show, let me share a few photos of my family - I wish I could be seen singing the song!!

Here in under are some of the photos I shot watch the walrus show and singing the song: I am the Walrus:

Here are some more:

The mention of the walrus show would be incomplete unless I also share a video that made while watching the show and singing the song: I am the Walrus:-

I have also shared these photos and written a detailed post in my blog JahoJalal

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The Beatles and the 'Good Ol’ Freda'

Many would not know who Good Ol’ Freda is and how was she related to the Beatles - a group that made young girls heart burst out whenever and wherever the band sang and played.

Freda Kelly was the Beatles' personal secretary and ran their fan club from their initial rise to fame until two years after their breakup. Kelly was a colleague and trusted friend to the Beatles, and while she's been offered plenty of money over the years to tell her story, "Good Ol' Freda" is the first time she's spoken on the record about her years working for John, Paul, George and Ringo - the Beatles.

The surviving Beatles, Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are said to have allowed four of their famous songs including "I Saw Her Standing There" and "Love Me Do" to be used in Ryan White's film "Good Ol' Freda" which will debut at the South by Southwest Film Festival in March.

“Freda closed the Beatles’ offices, so she left with truckloads of Beatles stuff and gave it all away to fans over the years.” However, Kelly wanted to put down her story for her family, particularly her grandson. As Kelly herself put it, "Who knows how much longer I’ll be here, and I want my grandson Niall to know what his Granny did in her youth. I want him to be proud."

via Yahoo Movies
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One Pound Fish to be 'sold' by Shahid Nazir at Le Grand Journal show - Paris

Muhammad Shahid Nazir, the One Pound Fish fame solo singer is going to France to sell Fish for One Pound at the annual Le Grand Journal show in Paris.

Although Shahid Nazir left for his home town Pattoki in Pakistan from UK in December, where he earned the fame in London selling fish, he is hopeful that he will get UK visa so that he continue to warm up the hearts of his countless fans there. Shahid was given a warm welcome at Lahore Air Port on his arrival, garlanded with fresh roses and carried on shoulders to the car parking from the air port terminal. Even ion his hometown, the children who do not understand a word of English are seen singing 'One Pound Fish' in the streets.

Already, several columns have been written and many leading commentators questioning why the government was quick in sending a singer out of the country, who brought smiles and joy to millions of people near Christmas 2012, while convicted terror radicals such as Jordanian Abu Qatada and many other convicts continued to enjoy Britain’s hospitality.

Reportedly, Shahid Nazir, who has become a household name in Britain, has been quoted as saying:

“I am going to appear in France’s biggest show. It’s anyone’s dream to appear in this show but I believe it’s Allah’s special blessing that I have been given visa without any hesitation. France has shown respect to my country and I am thankful to the French authorities for being kind towards me and allowing me a chance to meet my French fans.”

Shahid Nazir’s song has been watched by nearly 12 million people so far and everyday more than 200,000 people are watching the official song. Warner Music Group has released a slick new music video for ‘One Pound Fish’ replete with scantily-clad video babes, a pounding beat, and maybe a little bit of auto-tune, just for good measure.

Have you heard Shahid's One Pound Fish? Well if you have missed, here it is for:

It is believed Warner Music is making arrangements to take Nazir to America where he will duet with the likes of Timberland and other rap music stars.

Latest Update 2016:
Although Shahid Nazir was to return to England after he was asked to leave UK in 2012 as his student visa had expired, his successive efforts to obtain UK visa were refused and all his dreams to cash on his one pound fish as one pound wish has so far been unsuccessful. From 2016 onward, Shahid Nazir has faded away in the crowd somewhere in Pakistan - an indigenous talent gone for ever.

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