Synthesizer and music pioneer Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou aka Vangelis passed away at the age of 79, RIP
The sad news for music and synth fans remains. After the German Synthesizer pioneer Klaus Schulze left us for good in April, I received the sad news today that Vangelis passed away at the age of 79.
According to an announcement from his lawyers’ office, Vangelis died late on Tuesday, without giving a cause of death.
RIP Vangelis
Vangelis, born Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou in 1943, has combined electronic music with orchestral, rock, and pop music like no other. Among many other releases, he wrote legendary scores such as Chariots of Fire or Blade Runner.
His favorite instrument was the Synthesizer. However, he constantly experimented with classical instruments and with all sorts of other sounds. A mixture of classic and electronica, a style in which Vangelis was the pioneer. Many soundtrack composers continue this style with great success.
Vangelis continues to inspire musicians, young and old, to this day. Whether classical, pop, or electronic, his music has left its mark on every genre.
Thanks, Vangelis for everything. RIP! I’m sure you will enchant people in heaven just as you have inspired us in recent years. Life is limited, but music stays with us forever.
More information here: Vangelis
What truly gutting news, French media outlets have noted that he was being treated for Covid-19.
He and fellow pioneer, Jean-Michel Jarre, are singularly responsible for introducing me to electronic music and what I consider the nascent stages of electronica. The first time I heard either artist, I stopped and could not move whilst the music surrounded me and pulsated within every cell in my body. I was transfixed and transformed.
A giant amongst giants.
Whilst many will cite Blade Runner, to me his truly mastery was Chariots of Fire. The futuristic sound that accompanied Blade Runner made sense, yet to lend his sound to a period piece like Chariots of Fire was simply brilliant and that is an understatement.
He made a movie and story-line based on the 1920’s feel every bit as relevant and immediate. What an amazing talent.
Tragic news – he was an utter legend in our synth world and beyond.
Great musician and arranger! Will always be in my heart! let him rest in peace