RIP Vangelis, 1943-2022

[Touring Mars]

Vangelis, Oscar-winning composer and legendary synth/keyboard player has passed away, aged 79

Vangelis, composer of Chariots of Fire and Blade Runner soundtracks, dies aged 79

Greek composer topped US charts and won an Oscar with Chariots of Fire’s uplifting piano-led theme

www.theguardian.com

As well as his most famous works, the stunning Blade Runner soundtrack from 1982 and his Oscar-winning composition "Chariots of Fire", Vangelis also founded the prog rock group 'Aphrodite's Child', and worked with Jon Anderson of Yes in the 70's and 80's. His piece 'Heaven and Hell' was also famously used as the theme music for the popular TV series 'Cosmos' by Carl Sagan. I believe that Vangelis was invited to join Yes, but declined and instead Jon and Vangelis became a separate project. Their song "I Hear You Now" was for years my most played song on my mp3 player, and it is still a favourite to this day.

The world has lost a truly great talent today... RIP Vangelis Papathannassiou.

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[JKgo]

A small anecdote:

Almost 20 years ago, I used to work in a local video rental store. (Not Blockbuster!) I had a compilation CD of Vangelis' hits which included his composition, 'Anthem' for 2002 FIFA World Cup. I was playing that on the store's sound system and one of the customers told me that she was sick and tired of hearing that damn tune.

So I asked her why, and she said that her ten-year-old son is absolutely crazy about the FIFA World Cup playstation game and has been playing it every single day. Guess which song was the title track for that game.

I guess I'll be playing "I'll Find My Way Home" tonight, then...

RIP Vangelis. Thank you for some of the most iconic music ever recorded.

 

[Liquid]

Excellent musician who will be missed.

 

[Sprite]

Absolutely gutted about this news. Normally my reaction to a celebrity passing is one of shock or morbid curiosity, but this one has been felt.

 

[Danoff]

He was awesome.

 

[O604]

Huge fan. I made a song in tribute years ago just because I love him so much.

 

[Bobert power]

This really dampened my mood today. After watching Blade Runner for the first time, I was moved by "Blade Runner Blues." I eventually found the rest of his works from Opera Sauvage, Voices, and his Jon and Vangelis recordings. Such an excellent musician will be greatly missed.