I first came across Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassiou - better known as Vangelis in 1975 with the release of his solo album 'Heaven and Hell' on RCA records, partly because I worked on the press ad. and we had a copy of the LP in the studio.

In fact I'd actually heard him before that, playing with Greek band Aphrodite's Child along side Demis Roussos in the late sixties on a hit single called 'Rain and Tears'.

Described as a "one-man quasi-classical orchestra" in most tributes to him there's mention of his film scores especially 'Chariots of Fire' and 'Blade Runner' without to much said of his various collaborations with Jon Anderson from Yes. 

Indeed Vangelis often seemed resentful that 'Chariots of Fire' risked overshadowing much of the rest of his prolific output of solo albums, ballet scores, a choral symphony as well as soundtracks for many other movies. 

Recorded and released in the same year as that Oscar winning soundtrack for 'Chariots' and on the 'The Friends of Mr. Cairo' LP was the Jon and Vangelis single 'I'll Find My Way Home' > 

My first awareness of his music came with 'Heaven and Hell' as side one closed with 'So Long Ago, So Clear' > click here, if you please. 

Vangelis sadly died last week in Paris.