Jon and Vangelis was a music collaboration between British rock singer Jon Anderson (lead vocalist of the progressive rock band Yes) and Greek synthesiser musician Vangelis. The duo released four albums between 1980 and 1991.
History In 1974, Vangelis was considered as a replacement for Rick Wakeman as keyboardist in Yes, and although the job went to Patrick Moraz, it led to several collaborations with Anderson, who contributed vocals to Vangelis' Heaven and Hell (1975) on the song "So Long Ago, So Clear", harp to Opera Sauvage (1979) on "Flamants Roses" and finally vocals to See You Later (1980) on "Suffocation" and "See You Later".
They recorded their first album together, Short Stories, in 1979, producing the major hit "I Hear You Now" as well as "One More Time". Anderson wrote the lyrics and Vangelis composed the music. In 1980, Anderson left Yes and released his second solo album, Song of Seven. Vangelis released his See You Later album the same year, with Anderson contributing vocals to two songs. The two reunited to record their second album, The Friends of Mr Cairo, in 1981, including the songs "Friends of Mr Cairo" and "State of Independence". Later pressings of the album included the UK top 10 hit "I'll Find My Way Home". In 1983, Anderson rejoined Yes and they released the album 90125. Jon and Vangelis released their own album, Private Collection, the same year.
In 1986, the duo made a few attempts at writing a new album, but much of this work was never officially released under the Jon and Vangelis name. Twelve tracks were compiled on 1991's Page of Life, while other songs from these sessions appeared in later works, including "Let's Pretend", the last song on the 1989 album Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe. Anderson ultimately took it upon himself to rework Page of Life, which was released in 1998 in the United States only with nine tracks. In 2011, Anderson approached Vangelis for a possible new collaboration but he did not receive a reply.
Vangelis died on 17 May 2022.
Discography Albums Studio albums Title Album detailsPeak chart positionsCertifications UK AUS AUT CAN GER NL NZ SPA SWE USShort Stories Released: January 1980 Label: Polydor Formats: LP, MC46518—301———125 NL: Gold UK: GoldThe Friends of Mr Cairo Released: 3 July 1981 Label: Polydor Formats: LP, MC6982133——3564 AUS: Platinum CAN: Platinum UK: GoldPrivate Collection Released: May 1983 Label: Polydor Formats: LP, MC223118782715451024148Page of Life Released: 9 September 1991 Label: Arista Formats: CD, LP, MC Re-released in 1998 with different tracks—————37————"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
Compilation albums Title Album detailsPeak chart positions UK GER NLThe Best of Jon and Vangelis Released: 27 July 1984 Label: Polydor Formats: CD, LP, MC425242Chronicles Released: 19 September 1994 Label: Spectrum Music Formats: CD, MC———"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
Singles Title YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum UK AUS BE (FL) CAN GER IRE NL SWI SPA US"I Hear You Now"19798—3—69129——58Short Stories"One More Time"1980——————————"The Friends of Mr Cairo"1981—99—1—————— CAN: GoldThe Friends of Mr Cairo"State of Independence"——————————"Back to School"——————————"Outside of This"——————————"I'll Find My Way Home"6223—6221—51 UK: Silver"And When the Night Comes"198387—————————Private Collection"He Is Sailing"61—————————"Deborah"————————22—"Polonaise"——————————"State of Independence"198467—————————The Best of Jon and Vangelis"Wisdom Chain"1991——————————Page of Life"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
Notes:
Music videos Year Title Album 1979 "I Hear You Now" Short Stories 1981 "The Friends of Mr Cairo" The Friends of Mr Cairo
References
External links Jon and Vangelis discography