Vangelis

At age four, composer Vangelis began experimenting with unorthodox sound-creation methods, such as putting nails and cooking pans in a piano. ∙ Prior to scoring films, he founded and played in several bands, including ’60s pop-rock outfit The Forminx and prog trio Aphrodite’s Child. ∙ Beginning in the ’70s, Vangelis and Yes vocalist Jon Anderson were frequent collaborators, and the duo released four albums under the name Jon & Vangelis. ∙ Vangelis won an Academy Award for Best Original Music Score for 1981’s Chariots of Fire. ∙ He is the only Greek artist to top Billboard’s singles chart, which he did for one week in 1982 with “Titles,” also known as the Chariots of Fire theme. ∙ Vangelis has scored two films directed by Ridley Scott, including the soundtrack for 1982’s Blade Runner.