Jon & Vangelis

Jon & Vangelis Biography by Paul Simpson Heaven and Hell Jon Anderson, lead singer of progressive rock titans Yes, and Greek synthesizer genius Vangelis released four collaborative albums of arty electronic pop as Jon & Vangelis between 1980 and 1991, scoring a handful of international hit singles. The two had worked together before -- Vangelis was in the running to become Rick Wakeman's replacement when he first left Yes in 1974, and Anderson sang on Vangelis' classic 1975 album Heaven & Hell. Anderson also appeared on Vangelis' Opera Sauvage (1979), and by the time he left Yes in 1980, the two had already released Short Stories. The release was a success, and was quickly followed by 1981's The Friends of Mr. Cairo, which yielded the major hit "I'll Find My Way Home" as well as "State of Independence," which would become a hit for Donna Summer in 1982. The less pop-oriented Private Collection appeared in 1983. Anderson rejoined Yes in 1983, and he attempted to work with Vangelis again in 1986, but none of this material saw the light of day until later. Page of Life appeared in 1991, but wasn't released in America until Anderson changed the track list and issued it in 1998, to Vangelis' disapproval, thus ending their collaboration.