Interview with Diana Gurtskaya, published in the GEORGIAN JOURNAL, 29 January 2015
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Diana Gurtskaya bids farewell to Demis Roussos with the lyrics of his own song, “Good Bye, Maestro, Good Bye!”

The sightless Georgian singer Diana Gurtskaya, who resides in Moscow, was fortunate enough to perform on stage with Demis Roussos. She recalls her story and the famous singer in a interview with Georgian Journal:
GEORGIAN JOURNAL – How did you meet each other?
DIANA GURTSKAYA – A few years ago a gala concert was held in Moscow where world stars were invited to participate. I was one of those fortunate enough to participate in this concert and to perform a song with him. I could even not dream about singing together with such a genius musician. It was simultaneously a big honor and responsibility to perform one of his most famous songs. Actually it can be said that it was his calling card.
I will never forget those three and a half minutes on the stage while performing with Demis Roussos.
GEORGIAN JOURNAL – Were you nervous?
DIANA GURTSKAYA – When I came to the studio I was so nervous that I could hardly do anything. Then Demis Roussos came. I thought he was strict, but he turned out to be a gentle person. He treated me kindly, like a child. He knew I was worried, so he did his best to comfort and help me calm down. It is natural that I was nervous. Very few people have the luck and privilege to sing with such a world star. He assisted me during our rehearsal and taught me all the nuances with a big pleasure.
Those three days were the happiest in my life. I gained considerable experience and knowledge working with him. Just before the concert Demis Roussos came and encouraged me, saying that we would perform perfectly and that everything would be fine. Everyone who had the honor to work with him, recall him as the most warm and kind person ever. Sadly, he passed away, yet he will always be with us with his immortal and incredible songs. Many on Russian social media asked me to speak about Demis Roussos. It was extremely difficult for me to recall and talk about those three and a half minutes that I had spent with him on the stage.
GEORGIAN JOURNAL – Did you meet each other after your duet?
DIANA GURTSKAYA – A film about Demis Roussos was being shot in Moscow. When the singer was asked to recall someone he knew and sang with in Russia, he named me. I was so surprised that he singled me out. Though I do not know whether I deserved the things he said about me, I was very happy to hear them. It was a big pleasure and a great happiness to have the opportunity to sing alongside him. One thing I definitely know: When I decide to write my autobiographical memoirs the duet performed with Demis Roussos will occupy a special place in the story of my life.
It was very sad to hear of such a talented musician’s death. It is difficult for me to speak about him in the past tense. He was a genius and an incredible person. I want to say farewell to him through your newspaper with the lyrics of his own song, “Good Bye, Maestro, Good Bye!”

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