Vangelis ‘Chariots Of Fire’ Tearful Last Interview Before Death | He Knew He Was Going To Die😭😭

Vangelis, whose instantly recognizable musical theme for 1981’s Chariots of Fire won an Oscar and became a sort of aural shorthand for tales of endurance and triumph, died May 17, according to his representatives. He was 79.

His assistant Lefteris Zermas has confirmed the death but did not provide a specific cause, saying only that Vangelis died in a hospital in France. Greek newspaper OT is reporting that Vangelis was being treated for respiratory infections

Born Evangelos Odessey Papathanassiou in Greece, the composer and musician known worldwide simply as Vangelis, combined orchestral music, electronic synth sounds, jazz and ambient to create a then-new sound for the film that seemed to provide the musical equivalent of the ocean waves that crashed as the story’s Olympic runners sprinted down the beach

Vangelis would go on to compose scores for Blade Runner (1982), Missing (1982), Antarctica (1983), The Bounty (1984), 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992) and Alexander (2004), among many other recording projects, but would forever be most closely associated with the Chariots anthem. The theme, released as a single, reached the top of American Billboard Hot 100 chart, and has been used in countless sports presentations since, including the London 2012 Olympics ceremonies.

After beginning his career in the 1960s in the pop music world, Vangelis also developed an early affinity for film: From 1963 to 1967, he scored music for several Greek movies, launching a film and documentary career that would last decades.

By the 1980s, Vangelis had also segued into the progressive rock sphere, most notably in collaborations with Jon Anderson, the singer of the classic prog-rock band Yes.

In the mid-’70s, Vangelis relocated to London, launching a recording studio and landing a recording deal with RCA Records. On that label, he released a series of groundbreaking ’70s albums that experimented with electronica, chamber music and world music. His 1980 collaboration with Anderson, Short Stories, became a hit in the UK. The duo would reteam on various projects throughout the decade.

Some of Vangelis’ work from the era was used in Carl Sagan’s 1980 TV series Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, providing an even larger audience for the composer’s work. That same year, he began work on the film commission that would provide global fame.

Originally called, simply, “Titles,” the theme for director Hugh Hudson’s Chariots of Fire, released in 1981, would play no small part in the film’s success, rivaling Bill Conti’s theme from Rocky (“Gonna Fly Now”) as the go-to musical accompaniment for sports events and other tales of hard-won victory. The film, which starred Ben Cross and Ian Charleson as British competitors in the 1924 Olympics, would win four Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Costumes and, for Vangelis, Best Original Score. The song was later used at the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Vangelis followed up that success with a memorable collaboration with Ridley Scott for 1982’s Blade Runner, nominated for both BAFTA and Golden Globe awards.

The two would reunite in 1992 for 1492: Conquest of Paradise

Rest in power king

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Anthem: FIFA World Cup 2002,
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[baardk]

I don't know where he is now, but where ever he is, it must be filled with the most beautiful music ever and forever...

[michaelsoto]

I've lost another hero. I know they're getting old & death is inevitable but the loss of his talent & creativity hurts too much. God speed & RIP Vangelis. Your music will speak for itself. You were magnificent.

[majeedpanahi]

I do not remember shedding tears for the pass away of other than family and friends, but for Vangelis, I did, and I am still doing it while writing these words. He was a friend that I have never met, but through his music masterpieces, he inspired me for over 4 decades. He gave life a new meaning. Farewell you genius, rest in peace in the heavens. I shall definitely miss you.

[bacomiric]

The Earth just lost real genius.
Grew up with his music and all i can say is that Vangelis music enable me to understand how his music described places and different moments.
Vangelis was capable of picturing things with his music as his music would take you from Antarctica to Stars and further on.
Everytime i would play his music i would picture places his music was about.
Vangelis was God's gift to us humans and people who loved his music understood it.
May God give you a Harp so you can play melodies in heavenly realm where you always belonged.

[savedbyzero]

Vangelis' music gave me a sense of comfort and peace in my heart and mind.Each and every album sent a message to me to carry on w/life and avoid the negativity that surrounds me.R I P, and GOD Speed!

[panosxaitagian]

A huge Greek left, but the work he left behind, will remain alive forever VANGELIS.

[bc]

A composer of great universal music. Pure starlight that will forever shine on

[Hillers]

I have been a fan of Vangelis since 1975...When I first heard his music on "Cosmos"...I bought "Heaven and Hell" and I was hooked...for the next thirty years I collected ALL of his music...even some that I thought were mediocre (Beaubourg)...I now have all his albums, including his first two from the 60's...the last on I bought was "Juno to Jupiter"...his last album...My favorite? The album "Albedo 0.39"...hearing the ethereal tones of not just the title song, but of all of them..."Pulstar", "Freefall", and "Alpha"was magical...he gave me an appreciation of music that few can do...when I heard of his passing, I slumped into a dark place...I then listened to his album "Ignacio - Entends-Tu Les Chiens Aboyer" and it revived me...he is gone, but his music remains...

[rccc]

An artist who only cared of the art and the beauty of soul until the end.

[SaeedAcronia]

His last interview was 11 years ago?! That shows how truly introverted he was. He never played for money or fame. I like to think his "To the Unknown Man" is about himself.

[mothratemporalradio]

Really appreciate being able to hear him define himself in his own terms. What a loss.

[garymartin]

Vangelis' music is beautiful because he was allowed to be a free spirit. Most artists signed to a major label are dictated to as to how they want them to sound for commercial gain. If they rebel, they're dropped. Vangelis didn't fall foul of the industry and was nobody's puppet. He was a genius - RIP

[alanhilton]

A remarkable man that made remarkable music I hope you found your way home.

[marcluyten]

I'm gonna mis him. I wil always remember him when i lissen to his music, a great artist, a marvelous man. I wish he was stil alive

[Arch]

Only one and thank you for giving me inspiration and wisdom thru you music . have a great journey .. my friend .RIP

[ΛάζαροςΚαρα]

RIP VANGELIS.... proud for his kindness for his talents... Proud of him to be a good man and proud to be a Greek...but one country it's such a limit for him...his destiny is and was the UNIVERSE!!!

[lotreamon]

Καλό ταξίδι τεράστιε Έλληνα. Η μουσική σου, θα μας ταξιδεύει αιώνια 🇬🇷💙

[EMonzon]

This past months I was worry about this, and now it suddetly happened. I feel this loss so much. A hero that brought so much good vibes, positivism, exquisite feelings of greateness and contemplation, the champion of music.

[carolynhall]

RIP, such a loss to the world of music

[ArchieDuke.]

In a thousand years they will still be playing the music of Vangelis. Thankfully he left us a large body of work.