Mike Oldfield (born May 15, 1953) is a British multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer, best known for his groundbreaking 1973 album Tubular Bells. Born in Reading, England, he displayed exceptional musical talent from a young age, mastering multiple instruments and developing a unique blend of progressive rock, classical, folk, and electronic music.
At just 19, Oldfield released Tubular Bells, an innovative, instrumental album that gained worldwide fame, partly due to its use in the horror film The Exorcist. The album’s success established Oldfield as a leading figure in progressive and ambient music. He continued to experiment with different genres, releasing acclaimed works such as Ommadawn (1975), Platinum (1979), and Crises (1983), which featured the hit Moonlight Shadow.
Throughout his career, Oldfield has pushed musical boundaries, integrating synthesizers, orchestral elements, and world music influences. His work has remained influential in progressive and new-age music, with later projects including digital and virtual reality compositions.
With over 20 studio albums and millions of records sold, Oldfield’s legacy is that of an innovative and pioneering musician who reshaped instrumental and conceptual music.
25 recordings by Mike Oldfield you can hear at Instrumentals Forever:
Celtic rain • Dark Island • Daydream • Etude [Single Version] • Fire Fly • Flowers of the forest • In Dulci Jubilo • Jewel In The Crown • Landfall • Misty • Moonwatch • No Man’s Land • Return to the Origin • She moves through the fair • The hero • The song of the sun • The Top of the Morning • The voyager • Tres Lunas • Tubular Bells • Turtle Island • Viper • Wild goose flaps its wings • Women of Ireland • The Inner Child •
