END OF THE WORLD

Come with me to the End of the World as we meet the three kings of Greek Prog. Namely, singer Demis Roussos (1946-2015), drummer Lucas Sideras (born 1944), and keyboard legend Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou (1943-2022), better-known to us all simply as Vangelis, and collectively-known as Aphrodite's Child. The "king of the kaftan" Demis Roussos was the most unlikely-looking sex symbol, with his portly frame usually dressed in multi- coloured bell-tent kaftans. His solo career after Aphrodite's Child was even more successful, guaranteeing that he'll be remembered forever and ever. The drummer Lucas Sideras may be largely forgotten now, but he did release a solo album and he was something of a sex cymbal in his time too. Vangelis of course needs no introduction from me, other than to say he's one of the greatest keyboard players who's ever lived! Aphrodite's Child have the singular distinction of being the only Symphonic Prog band ever to emerge from the Peloponnesian peninsula of Greece. Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love and beauty and there's plenty to love in the beautiful music of Aphrodite's Child. Their first of three acclaimed albums features such evergreen classics as "End of the World" and the lovelorn "Rain and Tears" with their follow-up album including the heart-rending title track, "It's Five o'Clock", and the plaintive cry of "Marie Jolie". It's their third and final epic though, "666" (the number of the beast) which proved to be a Revelation, where hellfire and damnation were spurned to enable its release. "666" is a double album and musical tour-de-force which is generally the most highly- regarded Aphrodite's Child album amongst prog fans. As well as including the aptly-titled "Break" - sadly recorded just before the band broke up - the album also features the unforgettable "Infinity" with Irene Papas, which - depending on your point of view - either sounds like a wailing banshee, or a five minute orgasm!