Demis Roussos concert 15 December 2012

A tribute to a great singer.

 Last in South Africa 37 years ago but brought back this year by Frans Swart from Lefra Productions, to perform live to his millions of supporters here.  I was there to watch this amazing spectacular show that took place on 15 December in the Liqui-Fruit amphitheatre in Paarl. An experience that I have to share with the rest of South Africa

Driving from George we arrived at the amphitheatre at 15H00 .Several people was already waiting in the heat and soon everybody was sitting in the closest shady spot and picnicking , chatting and greeting each other. A friendly and spontaneous atmosphere hung in the air. Gates opened at 17h30 and the crowds moved into the theater environment. Soon all the embankments around the theatre were full of awaiting theater goers drinking wines, refreshments and socializing. Friendly people in their ages (not much young people – they don’t enjoy pure good music) gathering around and waiting in anticipation for the start of the concert. The organizers have gone to great length to make this evening a memorable well organized event.

Then it is 20H00 – Everybody seated and waiting for the appearance. The last lighting preparations are underway and then the big moment arrived. The “Greek god” is to appear on stage. The band members were on stage already. Then came a shock to me. I completely forgot that Demis Roussos is well in his sixties and not much had been heard from this singer over the years. Demis was “escorted” onto the stage and placed on a chair in front of his microphone. A silence was felt in the stadium momentarily but when the master started to sing and talk all of these shockwave disappeared and anticipation of a great show filled the air. With an obvious sickness state of Demis Roussos he made up with his enthuisiastic performance and singing ability . He still had control over the crowd and people were singing along and still continue idiolising him for his voice and personality . At this moment my image of him as a legend changed from legend to LEGEND OF THE LEGENDS. He inspires us with his performance and his ability and dedication to his music . At his age still to take on a world tour makes him more than a legend , in fact one of the biggest stars in music. We were treated to his old songs, Italian opera songs; Sing along songs, Greek dance music and just his voice of excellence that filled the theatre and the ecstasy of the crowd. People were dancing and singing along and in this two hour show the crowd was joined together, forgot about their problems and was joined as one person.

This show was an eye opener for me. I forgot how good his voice and music was. Secondly I forgot about how grateful I must be. I have no sickness; I am 54 years old and complaints about every small little thing that happens in my life. I felt so ashamed. Here on stage was man well in his sixties, maybe more sick than I can be and still had the guts to pack and do a world tour because his fans would like to see him again. He is again a hero in my eyes and I wish Demis Roussos every of the best in his career and hope we don’t have to wait another 37 years to see him.

Joseph van der Poel

Joseph.vanderpoel@gmail.com