Biography for
Vangelis More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

29 March 1943, Volos, Greece

Birth Name

Evangelos Odysseus Papathanassiou

Mini Biography

Vangelis is a composer and performer who works almost exclusively with electronic instruments. He is probably most well know for his Chariots of Fire (1981) and Blade Runner (1982) soundtracks or for the tracks used in the "Cosmos" (1980) television series. He has been involved in many musical collaborations, the most famous that with Jon Anderson.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Keith Gregoire <keith@celtech.com>

Trivia

A self taught musician, Vangelis has been composing since the age of four, but cannot read or write musical notation.

Before going solo, Vangelis was a member of the mid-60s pop group, Forminx and the early progressive rock group, Aphrodite's Child.

Was asked by his collaborator to replace Rick Wakeman on keyboards in Anderson's band Yes. Vangelis refused, perhaps for the better, citing that becoming a supporting member of a band would stifle his creativity and style.

Contrary to popular opinion, the "g" in Vangelis is hard, (as in the word, "angle") and not soft (as in "angel")

He has composed The Official FIFA World Cup 2002 Anthem.

Member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1991

In the 1980s, AT&T used the main theme of Missing (1982) as background music for its commercial spots.

Personal Quotes

"I function as a channel through which music emerges from the chaos of noise." - September, 1988, "Direct" liner notes.

Well I think that technology and music have always been together and I think music is science anyway.

Where Are They Now

(1996) Vangelis has just finished doing a charitable tribute album to the painter, El Greco. "A Tribute To El Greco" is only available in Greece, it is @150 pounds sterling, and all proceeds go to a Greek museum in order to purchase some of El Greco's works.