Oldfield, Mike

(b Reading, 15 May 1953). English rock composer and guitarist. At the age of 19 he recorded the instrumental album Tubular Bells, funded by Richard Branson's Virgin record shops. In 1973 it became Virgin Records' first release and sold more than ten million copies over the next eight years. Written with the help of David Bedford, it was a quasi-minimalist piece at the melodic end of progressive rock. From this position he subsequently wrote and performed music for the eve of the Prince of Wales's wedding in 1981 and film music for Puttnam's The Killing Fields (Virgin, 1984).

(b Reading, 15 May 1953). English rock composer and guitarist. At the age of 19 he recorded the instrumental album Tubular Bells, funded by Richard Branson's Virgin record shops. In 1973 it became Virgin Records' first release and sold more than ten million copies over the next eight years. Written with the help of David Bedford, it was a quasi-minimalist piece at the melodic end of progressive rock. From this position he subsequently wrote and performed music for the eve of the Prince of Wales's wedding in 1981 and film music for Puttnam's The Killing Fields (Virgin, 1984).