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.[1]

Quick Facts Background information, Origin ...
Jon and Vangelis
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Jon Anderson and Vangelis, 1981
Background information
OriginGreece
United Kingdom
Genres
Years active19791991
LabelsPolydor Records
Arista Records
Higher Octave Records
Past membersJon Anderson
Vangelis
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History

In 1974, Vangelis was considered as a replacement for Rick Wakeman as keyboardist in Yes,[1] 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,[1] 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".[2] In 1983, Anderson rejoined Yes and they released the album 90125. Jon and Vangelis released their own album, Private Collection, the same year.[1]

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.[3]

Vangelis died on May 17, 2022.[4][5][6][7]

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

More information Title, Album details ...
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
[8]
AUS
[9]
AUT
[10]
CAN
[11][12]
GER
[13]
NL
[14]
NZ
[15]
SPA
[16]
SWE
[17]
US
[18]
Short Stories 4 65 18 30 1 125
The Friends of Mr Cairo
  • Released: 3 July 1981
  • Label: Polydor
  • Formats: LP, MC
6 9 8 2 13 3 35 64
Private Collection
  • Released: May 1983
  • Label: Polydor
  • Formats: LP, MC
22 31 18 78 27 15 45 10 24 148
Page of Life
  • Released: 26 August 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.
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Compilation albums

More information Title, Album details ...
Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
[8]
GER
[13]
NL
[14]
The Best of Jon and Vangelis
  • Released: 27 July 1984
  • Label: Polydor
  • Formats: CD, LP, MC
42 52 42
Chronicles
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
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Singles

More information Title, Year ...
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[8]
AUS
[9]
BE (FL)
[23]
CAN
[24]
GER
[13]
IRE
[25]
NL
[26]
SWI
[27]
SPA
[16]
US
[18]
"I Hear You Now" 1979 8 3 69 12 9 58 Short Stories
"One More Time"[upper-alpha 1] 1980
"The Friends of Mr Cairo" 1981 99 1 The Friends of Mr. Cairo
"State of Independence"
"Back to School"[upper-alpha 2]
"Outside of This"[upper-alpha 3]
"I'll Find My Way Home" 6 22 3 6 2 2 1 51 Non-album single[upper-alpha 4]
"And When the Night Comes" 1983 87 Private Collection
"He Is Sailing" 61
"Deborah"[upper-alpha 5] 22
"Polonaise"[upper-alpha 6]
"State of Independence"[upper-alpha 7] 1984 67 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.
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Notes:

  1. Released in the US
  2. Released in Canada
  3. Released in the Netherlands
  4. included on the Second Edition of "The Friends of Mr Cairo"
  5. Released in Spain and Brazil
  6. Released in France
  7. Re-release

References

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