Biography of Mike Oldfield

Had he come along fifteen years later, composer Mike Oldfield might have invented New Age music, which is where he is often lumped today anyway. In 1973, however, he successfully approached youthful entrpeneur Richard Branson with an idea for an experimental album-length instrumental composition, and the result was Tubular Bells, whose success -- spurred by the music's use as the theme from The Exorcist -- became the foundation of Virgin Records, Virgin Atlantic Airways, et al. (Branson's corporate ventures). Since then, Oldfield -- who had previously recorded in a progressive English folk bein with his sister Sally -- has never had so massive a hit, but has delved into spacious (some would say aimless) long form instrumentals with an unparalleled degree of success and attention. ~ Michael G. Nastos