Mike Ratledge, one of the founding members of Soft Machine, has died aged 81.
The news of his passing was shared by bandmate John Etheridge – guitarist in the British psych-rock band – in a post yesterday (February 5). In his update, Etheridge explained that the death was related to a recent illness.
“Incredibly sad news that my great friend and Soft Machine legend passed away two hours ago after a brief illness,” he wrote (via Louder). “Mike was the backbone of Soft Machine in the early years and a man with an absolutely incisive mind – a marvellous composer and keyboardist.
“A real renaissance man – so talented, cultured, charming – and a wonderful companion. We used to meet every few weeks for over 40 yrs – 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 born in Kent in 1943 and began his time in the music industry as a teenager when he Daevid Allen and joined his band the Daevid Allen Trio (as per Stereogum). As well as that, he grew up learning piano and clarinet and went on to get a degree in psychology and philosophy from Oxford’s University College.
He formed Soft Machine with Allen, Robert Wyatt and Kevin Ayers in 1966, and although the members would shift over the years, he remained the longest-serving member. He left the group in 1976.
The band would make a name for themselves through their psych-pop, progressive sound and blend of jazz fusion.
“We lost a legend in the progressive rock community today, The Soft Machines Mike Ratledge,” read one of the many tributes on social media.”He was the glue that held that band together. Bringing in jazz fusion and bebop into the prog rock realm and transforming that band into the powerhouse it was.” Another user described him as a “composer, keyboard visionary and always an effortlessly cool presence.” Find more tributes to Mike Ratledge below.
RIP Mike Ratledge pic.twitter.com/dbxJNFBrjK
— Burning Shed (@burningshednews) February 5, 2025
We lost a legend in the progressive rock community today ,The Soft Machines Mike Ratledge. He was the glue that held that band together. Bringing in jazz fusion and bebop into the prog rock realm and transforming that band into the powerhouse it was. Now he is reunited with… pic.twitter.com/USMCzmppeT
— Lord Brian Urso, Lead Guitarist of Gideons Mob (@TheMobRules73) February 6, 2025
Mike Ratledge R.I.P. Soft Machine founder, composer, keyboard visionary and always an effortlessly cool presence.
— Rob Adams (@rabjourno) February 6, 2025
RIP Mike Ratledge. pic.twitter.com/IXe9EaA5iu
— Carlos Torrejón (@turk154) February 6, 2025
RIP Mike, this weekend I was listening the first albums by Soft Machine
Here January 1967, when they and Pink Floyd were club bands (UFO Club, The Speakeasy and the Middle Earth clubs) pic.twitter.com/bbs9gwhems
— Voodoo Chile in Wonderland 🇪🇸🇲🇽 (@VoodooChileinWo) February 5, 2025
I first heard Mr. Mike Ratledge's play on "SEVEN" by the British band "Soft Machine".
When my senior heard that I liked early Pink Floyd, she handed me "SEVEN" and said, "This!"
I was amazed by the fuzzed organ that could be heard here!
"Amazing."
It was my first impression.— てへぺろう (@DarkDroneGhost) February 6, 2025
Alongside his work with Soft Machine, Ratledge also took on work as a composer and producer, working on various projects on television and in the theatre.
He also famously joined forces with composer Karl Jenkins for the ‘Adiemus: Songs Of Sanctuary’ album, and continued to work with him in the following years.