Vangelis Has Died At Age 79

Greek composer Vangelis has died in France at the age of 79.

Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis paid tribute to the composer announcing, “Vangelis Papathanassiou is no longer with us. For the whole world, the sad news states that the world music firm has lost the international Vangelis. The protagonist of electronic sound, the Oscars, the Myth and the great hits.

Vangelis was best known for the soundtracks to ‘Chariots of Fire’ and ‘Blade Runner’. ‘Chariots of Fire’ won the Academy Award for Best Original Score in 1981.

In the 1960s Vangelis was a member of Aphrodite’s Child. The band also included Demis Roussos on vocals. In 1968 they had a hit with ‘Rain and Tears’ (no 29 UK, no 1 France, Belgium, Italy), no 2 Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland) and no 28, Germany).

In the 1980s Vangelis had more success when he teamed with Jon Anderson of Yes for Jon & Vangelis. ‘I’ll Find My Way Home’ reached no 6 in the UK, no 22 in Australia and no 51 in the USA.

Donna Summer had a hit with her cover of Jon & Vangelis’ ‘State of Independence’ in 1982. (no 14 UK, no 31 Australia, no 41 USA).

Vangelis was made a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in France, he received an honorary doctorate in Greece and a Public Service Medal from NASA after NASA named a minor planet after him (6354 Vangelis).

Ad astra, Vangelis.

The film composer contributed scores to explorations by our #JunoMission to Jupiter. Here, ride along with the @NASASolarSystem spacecraft around Jupiter and moon Ganymede, with sound up.

Full playlist: https://t.co/bNyqzQGWRS pic.twitter.com/2QbjoKStko

— NASA (@NASA) May 19, 2022

Dear Vangelis,
We will all remember your unique touch and your moving melodies forever.
You & I have always shared the same passion for synthesizers and electronic music since so long…
May you Rest In Peace,
JMJ x pic.twitter.com/egL8rNbIHn

— Jean-Michel Jarre (@jeanmicheljarre) May 19, 2022

Very sad to hear the news of the recent passing of Vangelis. I’d always loved his soundtrack to Blade Runner. Then in the mid 90’s I had the honour of writing & singing a song on his album “Voices”; an immense talent that will be missed by his family, and the world of music pic.twitter.com/QkkmxfarmZ

— Paul Young (@PaulYoungParlez) May 19, 2022

I’m so sad to hear these terrible news of the passing of Vangelis. I had the privilege to meet him in Paris last year. He was one of my heroes, a big inspiration and just a beautiful person. I still listen to his albums a lot. May he rest in peace. 😢 pic.twitter.com/iexSTK4MPk

— Armin van Buuren (@arminvanbuuren) May 19, 2022

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