Greek composer and electronic music pioneer Vangelis has died, aged 79.
The musician, real name Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou, passed away at a French hospital on Tuesday (May 17), according to a report by the Associated Press. A cause of death has not been disclosed.
Papathanassíou was widely known as the man behind the evocative synth-based soundtracks for films such as Blade Runner, Alexander and Chariots Of Fire. He won an Academy Award for his work on the latter film in 1992.
The artist started out as part of a number of rock bands in the late ’60s and early ’70s, most notably forming part of the progressive rock band Aphrodite’s Child, who broke up shortly after the release of their 1972 classic ‘666’. Soon after, he began working with synths and embarked on a prolific solo career which would seen soon him enlisted to produce scores for a number of films.
Papathanassíou released more than 20 solo studio albums across his career, in addition to his film soundtrack work. He released much of his work through major labels Polydor and RCA, as well as through large independent labels like Deutsche Grammophon and Decca. The latter imprint put out his final album, 2021’s Juno To Jupiter.
Paying tribute to Papathanassíou place the text you want as hyperlink hereon Twitter, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described Vangelis as "the protagonist of electronic sound."
In another Twitter tribute, producer Hudson Mohawke wrote: "Guy didn’t know any music theory and just taught himself to play eight keyboards at once 100 percent on instinct. Absolute legend. Wild to think that sort of music was in the pop charts also."
Jean-Michel Jarre tweeted: "We will all remember your unique touch and your moving melodies forever. You and I have always shared the same passion for synthesisers and electronic music since so long… may you Rest In Peace."
