Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou known as Vangelis (born March 29, 1943) is a recognized composer, his music was considered new age or electronic.
Among his best known compositions include the soundtrack of the movie “Chariots of Fire” for which he received an Academy Award in 1981, and compositions for movies:”Blade Runner”, ”Bitter Moon”, ”1492: Conquest of Paradise ”documentary” Carl Sagan”, “ Jacques-Yves Cousteau ”and the anthem FIFA World Cup Korea-Japan 2002.
The composer, born in Volos, Greece, has embraced the art of music at an early age, starting to write songs, classical instrumental at the age of four years, not having a teacher to prepare him and guide him.
He refused classical piano lessons and career-building without substantial knowledge of music theory.
In 1968, he moved to Paris with Demis Roussos and Loukas Sideras formed the progressive rock group Aphrodite’s Child, releasing various tracks, including the international hit ”Tears Ad Rain” Although the group disbanded in 1972, Vangelis also collaborated with Demis Roussos ongoing.
The artist began his solo career in 1973 and the first album was ”Earth”, released in1974. At the same time, he was befriended by singer Vangelis Jon Anderson, a member of the progressive rock band britanic Yes. Together with Jon Anderson has made several albums during the years 1980 and 1990 under the name Jon & Vangelis”.
After moving to London, Vangelis signed a contract with RCA Records label, he opened his own studio, Nemo Studios and began to register a series of electronic albums including ”Heaven and Hell”, ”Albedo 0.39 ”" Spiral ”,” Beaubourg ”and” China. “Some of the songs on the album ”Heaven and Hell” and the song ”Alpha” from the album “Albedo 0.39″, were reserved for the soundtrack of the documentary ”Cosmos. “
