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Mike Ratledge RIP

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Obituary

Sorry to hear that Mike Ratledge died yesterday, after a short illness. He was a huge part of my listening over a lengthy period of years with the mighty Soft Machine – and I’m sure that I won’t be the only one here.

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Comments

  2. Very sad to hear that. Great player, and when the Softs first appeared there was no one else like him/them. I believe he had a profitable side hustle later in life recreating classic recordings for advertising where there licence for the original wasn’t forthcoming. One I recall was a car tyre advert to “Riders on the storm” perfectly recreated by Mike.

  5. I remember an interview with Robert Wyatt about being ousted from Soft Machine. It was not just musical differences but personality differences too. Mike Ratledge and Hugh Hopper were serious introvert-y chaps who, as likely as not, would be in the corner of a studio or dressing room reading a book or doing crosswords while extrovert-y Robert would be boozing and partying with his friends. He freely admits he deserved to be sacked because he was a bit out of control. This partying lifestyle came to a head a bit later, when he had his life-changing booze-related accident.
    Robert Wyatt is now the only surviving member of the original Soft Machine lineup.

  6. Sad news. The Soft Machine have not exactly been a popular reference point among my generation (X) (although they are name checked in a cool Eleanor Friedberger song) but I have a sweet spot for them. I guess library music was the sensible choice for a talented musician who got tired with the business. This is a personal favourite, Robert Wyatt’s ode to Kevin Ayers blissed out by his keyboard arrangement.

  7. Mike was my hero when I was young musician. I’m not sure to understood well his (their) music, but I was impressed. But finally I understand where they were inspired and it opened my mind to John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Bird and so and so. Now I’m jazz piano player and next tuesday, I will dedicated my boadcast to his music. (French radio Radio Libertaire 89.4 FM Paris France on Internet too.) He was a keystone in my personal musical evolution. I’m very sad of his loss… . (Pardon my english please.)

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