Topline
Vangelis, the Oscar-winning composer behind Chariots Of Fire, one of the most well-known film scores of all time, died at age 79, The Guardian reported Thursday.
Greek composer and keyboard player Vangelis poses at his apartment in Paris, 9th June 1991.
Key Facts
Vangelis, who also composed the score to Blade Runner, died at a hospital in France, the musician’s representative told The Guardian.
Key Background
Vangelis, who was born with the name Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou, rose to worldwide acclaim for his Chariots Of Fire theme, a motivational piece of music that soon became inextricably linked to athletic feats in film and TV. In 1982 he won the Oscar for Best Original Score for the work. The movie’s soundtrack reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts and was nominated for a Grammy for Record Of The Year, according to Variety. Before his film score career, Vangelis was a member of the band Aphrodite’s Child. He also released some solo works. His song “Heaven and Hell” was used as the theme song to the PBS show Cosmos.
Further Reading
Vangelis, composer of Chariots of Fire and Blade Runner soundtracks, dies aged 79 (The Guardian)
Vangelis, Oscar-Winning Composer for ‘Chariots of Fire,’ Dies at 79 (Variety)