Greek composer Vangelis died on May 17, 2022, at 79, in a hospital in Paris from heart failure. The death was announced on May 19.

Born Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou, he founded the progressive rock group Aphrodite's Child before starting a solo career. In the 1970s, he helped define the sound of electronic music with synthesizers and long instrumental compositions.

Vangelis won the Academy Award for Best Original Score for Chariots of Fire in 1981 and wrote the music for Blade Runner in 1982, as well as works for film, television and documentaries.

His work influenced generations of producers and composers, from ambient to synth-pop, and remains present in soundtracks and samples of contemporary music.