Ian McP Posted February 7 Posted February 7 Mike Ratledge RIP, https://pitchfork.com/news/mike-ratledge-keyboardist-in-soft-machine-dies-at-81/ Soft Machine founding member and keyboard player Mike Ratledge died on Wednesday, February 5 after a brief illness, according to his former bandmate and guitarist John Etheridge. “Mike was the backbone of Soft Machine in the early years and a man with an absolutely incisive mind – a marvellous composer and keyboardist,” Etheridge wrote on Facebook. “A real renaissance man – so talented, cultured, charming – and a wonderful companion. We used to meet every few weeks for over 40 years – a treat for me. What a loss to all of us and his sisters and wonderful girlfriend Elena, who were with him at the end.” Ratledge was 81. Formed in 1966 in Canterbury, Kent, Soft Machine made a name for themselves on the London underground circuit playing a jazzy take on psychedelic prog-rock that eventually earned them slots opening for Pink Floyd and, in the U.S., Jimi Hendrix. The thrill of their early discography, especially on songs like “Hope for Happiness” or “Save Yourself,” is largely indebted to Ratledge’s wilding keyboard solos and improvisations. In addition to being the longest remaining original member of Soft Machine—sticking around from their 1966 self-titled debut to 1976’s Softs—Ratledge was also arguably the band’s most recognizable figure, rocking a thick mustache, flowing mane, and darkened glasses. > 1
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