Mike Ratledge

Mike Ratledge, born on May 6, 1943, in Maidstone, England, was a renowned English keyboardist and composer, best known as a co-founder of the influential progressive rock band The Soft Machine. Ratledge's musical journey began at a young age with classical training, and he later studied psychology and philosophy at Oxford University. Together with notable musicians like Robert Wyatt and Kevin Ayers, he helped shape the experimental sound of The Soft Machine, drawing on jazz, blues, and avant-garde influences. His contributions to music spanned several decades, making him a key figure in the Canterbury scene before his passing on February 5, 2023, at the age of 81.