Mike Oldfield
Musician · UK · b. 1953
Mike Oldfield is a renowned English musician born on May 15, 1953, known for his innovative music style.
His debut album, "Tubular Bells," released in 1973, became a critical and commercial success, launching his career.
Oldfield won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition, highlighting his exceptional talent as a musician.
Biography
Early Life
Michael Gordon Oldfield was born on May 15, 1953, in Reading, Berkshire, England. He was raised in a family with a complex background; his father, Raymond, was a general practitioner, while his mother, Maureen, was an Irish nurse. Oldfield had two elder siblings and a younger brother, David, who had Down syndrome. Tragically, David was placed in an institution, a decision that deeply affected the family. Oldfield's mother struggled with mental health issues, which led to her spending much of her life in institutions before her death in 1975. Despite these challenges, Oldfield showed musical talent early on, taking up the guitar at age ten and learning by ear from folk music records.
Career
Oldfield's professional music career began in the late 1960s when he formed a folk duo called the Sallyangie with his sister. After their split, he faced a difficult period, including a nervous breakdown. However, he soon found his footing, playing with various bands and eventually recording his groundbreaking debut album, "Tubular Bells," in 1973. This album became a massive success, showcasing his innovative blend of progressive rock and classical music. Over the years, Oldfield released numerous albums, including "Hergest Ridge," "Ommadawn," and "Crises," and experimented with various genres such as ambient, folk, and world music. His ability to play multiple instruments, including the tubular bell, guitar, and keyboards, contributed to his unique sound.
Personal Life
Oldfield's personal life has been marked by several relationships and family dynamics. He married Diana Fuller in 1978, but the marriage lasted only three months. He later had a long-term relationship with Sally Cooper, with whom he had three children. After their amicable split, he dated Norwegian singer Anita Hegerland and had two more children. Oldfield has faced struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, leading him to seek counseling in the early 2000s. Despite these challenges, he has continued to create music and remains a significant figure in the music industry, known for his contributions to various genres and his innovative approach to composition.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Light + Shade2005
- 1.Angelique4:41
- 2.Blackbird4:39
- 3.The Gate4:14
- 4.First Steps10:03
- 5.Closer2:52
- 6.Our Father6:50
- 7.Rocky3:19
- 8.Sunset4:49
- 9.Quicksilver5:55
- 10.Resolution4:33
- 11.Slipstream5:15
- 12.Surfing5:36
- 13.Tears of an Angel5:38
- 14.Romance4:00
- 15.Ringscape4:22
- 16.Nightshade5:11
The Greatest Works of Mike Oldfield W Wykonaniu Masters of Sound2003
Tracklist not collected yet.
Tubular Bells 20032003
- 1.Part One: Introduction5:51
- 2.Part One: Fast Guitars1:03
- 3.Part One: Basses0:46
- 4.Part One: Latin2:18
- 5.Part One: A Minor Tune1:21
- 6.Part One: Blues2:40
- 7.Part One: Thrash0:44
- 8.Part One: Jazz0:48
- 9.Part One: Ghost Bells0:30
- 10.Part One: Russian0:44
- 11.Part One: Finale8:33
- 12.Part Two: Harmonics5:12
- 13.Part Two: Peace3:30
- 14.Part Two: Bagpipe Guitars3:08
- 15.Part Two: Caveman4:33
- 16.Part Two: Ambient Guitars5:10
- 17.Part Two: The Sailor’s Hornpipe1:43
Tr3s Lunas2002
- 1.Misty3:59
- 2.No Mans Land6:08
- 3.Return to the Origin4:39
- 4.Landfall2:19
- 5.Viper4:32
- 6.Turtle Island3:41
- 7.To Be Free4:22
- 8.Fire Fly3:46
- 9.Tr3s Lunas4:35
- 10.Daydream2:15
- 11.Thou Art in Heaven5:23
- 12.Sirius5:47
- 13.No Mans Land (reprise)2:56
- 14.To Be Free (radio edit)3:57
- 15.Free Demo: MusicVR interactive PC Game
Guitars1999
- 1.Muse2:13
- 2.Cochise5:16
- 3.Embers3:52
- 4.Summit Day3:47
- 5.Out of Sight3:49
- 6.B. Blues4:30
- 7.Four Winds9:33
- 8.Enigmatism3:32
- 9.Out of Mind3:47
- 10.From the Ashes2:29
The Millennium Bell1999
- 1.Peace on Earth4:10
- 2.Pacha Mama4:06
- 3.Santa Maria2:44
- 4.Sunlight Shining Through Cloud4:33
- 5.The Doge’s Palace3:07
- 6.Lake Constance5:17
- 7.Mastermind3:04
- 8.Broad Sunlit Uplands4:03
- 9.Liberation2:38
- 10.Amber Light3:43
- 11.The Millennium Bell7:38
Tubular Bells III1998
- 1.The Source of Secrets5:35
- 2.The Watchful Eye2:09
- 3.Jewel in the Crown5:45
- 4.Outcast3:49
- 5.Serpent Dream2:53
- 6.The Inner Child4:42
- 7.Man in the Rain4:03
- 8.The Top of the Morning4:26
- 9.Moonwatch4:25
- 10.Secrets3:20
- 11.Far Above the Clouds5:30
The Garden of Love1997
- 1.The Garden of Love21:08
Voyager1996
- 1.The Song of the Sun4:33
- 2.Celtic Rain4:41
- 3.The Hero5:04
- 4.Women of Ireland6:30
- 5.The Voyager4:26
- 6.She Moves Through the Fair4:07
- 7.Dark Island5:44
- 8.Wild Goose Flaps Its Wings5:05
- 9.Flowers of the Forest6:03
- 10.Mont St. Michel12:19
The Songs of Distant Earth1994
- 1.In the Beginning1:25
- 2.Let There Be Light4:57
- 3.Supernova3:24
- 4.Magellan4:41
- 5.First Landing1:16
- 6.Oceania3:20
- 7.Only Time Will Tell4:26
- 8.Prayer for the Earth2:10
- 9.Lament for Atlantis2:44
- 10.The Chamber1:48
- 11.Hibernaculum3:33
- 12.Tubular World3:24
- 13.The Shining Ones2:57
- 14.Crystal Clear5:42
- 15.The Sunken Forest2:38
- 16.Ascension5:50
- 17.A New Beginning1:33
Tubular Bells II1992
- 1.Sentinel8:08
- 2.Dark Star2:16
- 3.Clear Light5:48
- 4.Blue Saloon2:59
- 5.Sunjammer2:33
- 6.Red Dawn1:50
- 7.The Bell6:59
- 8.Weightless5:43
- 9.The Great Plain4:48
- 10.Sunset Door2:24
- 11.Tattoo4:15
- 12.Altered State5:12
- 13.Maya Gold4:01
- 14.Moonshine1:42
Heaven’s Open1991
- 1.Make Make4:19
- 2.No Dream6:03
- 3.Mr. Shame4:23
- 4.Gimme Back4:13
- 5.Heaven’s Open4:31
- 6.Music From the Balcony19:44
Amarok1990
Tracklist not collected yet.
Earth Moving1989
Tracklist not collected yet.
Islands1987
Tracklist not collected yet.
Discovery1984
Tracklist not collected yet.
Crises1983
Tracklist not collected yet.
Five Miles Out1982
Tracklist not collected yet.
QE21980
Tracklist not collected yet.
Platinum1979
Tracklist not collected yet.
Incantations1978
Tracklist not collected yet.
Ommadawn1975
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Orchestral Tubular Bells1975
Tracklist not collected yet.
Hergest Ridge1974
Tracklist not collected yet.
Tubular Bells1973
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
© Total number of my uploaded files: 1114 · CC BY-SA 3.0 
© Total number of my uploaded files: 1114 · CC BY-SA 3.0 
© Nick Webb from London, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0 
© Nick Webb · CC BY 2.0 
© Mike_Oldfield_by_Alexander_Schweigert.jpg: Alexander Schweigert derivative work: Lošmi (talk) · CC BY 2.0 
© Alexander Schweigert · CC BY 2.0
Label
- Record label
- Warner Bros. Records
- Record label
- Caroline Records
- Record label
- Virgin Records
- Record label
- Warner Music Group
- Record label
- Mercury Records
- Record label
- Virgin EMI Records
Achievements
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition
Groups
- Manor Choircurrent
- The Sallyangiecurrent
- Kevin Ayers & The Whole World1969–1971
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
bass guitar, tubular bell, electric guitar, bass, guitar, keyboard instrument, glockenspiel, voice, pipe organ, piano
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: M. Oldfield, Michael Gordon Oldfield, Michael Oldfield, N OLDFIELD MICHAEL GORDO, Oldfield, Oldfield, Mike
Michael Gordon Oldfield is a retired English musician, songwriter and producer best known for his debut album Tubular Bells (1973), which became an unexpected critical and commercial success. Though primarily a guitarist, Oldfield played a range of instruments, which included keyboards and percussion, as well as vocals. He had adopted a range of musical styles throughout his career, including progressive rock, world, folk, classical, electronic, ambient and new age music. His discography includes 25 studio albums, nine of which have reached the UK top ten.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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