Mike Ratledge 1943-2025

[rostasi]

I was thinking about him again yesterday. It actually was a result of listening to a different band than Soft Machine. I have the Nucleus BBC sessions (with musicians who joined Soft Machine) loaded up in my car and've been enjoying that lately, and I was thinking about how much it sounded like SM mixed with Miles' electric 70s era. Anyway, he was a major part of my life growing up. Always, the recluse. Sometimes showing up for special projects, but, unfortunately, rarely.

"He was the backbone of Soft Machine."

[mjzee]

Very sad.  I loved Soft Machine, all their Columbia albums.  He had a great nasty sound on organ.  R.I.P.

[Roger Farbey]

He was voted top organist for four years (1971-1974) in the Melody Maker Jazz Polls British Section. During part of that period Soft Machine were voted top small group (toppling Nucleus for that position) and Soft Machine Six top album. But Mike Ratledge was a true innovator and his compositions, especially on Third, are timeless classics. RIP Mike.

[B. Clugston]

Sad news. His compositions for Soft Machine were really interesting. Along with Garth Hudson, that's two great Lowrey organists to pass away this year.

[felser]

RIP, loved his work with Soft Machine, long-time favorites.  Had/have all their albums on which he participated.  He also seemed to have his head screwed on tight from what I could tell reading their biography.  And the look with the shades was iconic.

[Guy Berger]

RIP.  I love his “ugly beauty” Coltrane-influenced approach to the organ

[felser]

1 hour ago, felser said:

RIP, loved his work with Soft Machine, long-time favorites.  Had/have all their albums on which he participated.  He also seemed to have his head screwed on tight from what I could tell reading their biography.  And the look with the shades was iconic.

[clifford_thornton]

RIP. Very sad to hear this; the Softs were really something else. Robert Wyatt is the only surviving original member, though I understand he’s in pretty rough shape these days.

[felser]

2 hours ago, clifford_thornton said:

Robert Wyatt is the only surviving original member.

Incredibly ironic.  Who would have laid odds on that 50 years ago?

[clifford_thornton]

Yeah, for sure — that accident probably kept him alive by curtailing his appetite for substances. The only Softs member I ever saw live was Daevid Allen, but I’m thankful for that experience at least. 

[GA Russell]

On 2/5/2025 at 3:48 PM, felser said:

RIP, loved his work with Soft Machine, long-time favorites.  Had/have all their albums on which he participated.  He also seemed to have his head screwed on tight from what I could tell reading their biography.  And the look with the shades was iconic.

RIP Mike Ratledge!

I remember (maybe we all do) Richard Sinclair's line, "One question we all dread, What's doing Mike Ratledge?"

John, what biography are you referring to?

[felser]

16 minutes ago, GA Russell said:

RIP Mike Ratledge!

I remember (maybe we all do) Richard Sinclair's line, "One question we all dread, What's doing Mike Ratledge?"

John, what biography are you referring to?

https://www.amazon.com/Soft-Machine-Out-Bloody-Rageous-Revised-Updated-ebook/dp/B00P0USPG6

Very good though exhaustive (586 pages). First kindle book I ever bought, $6 instead of $100+ for a hard copy.  I read most of it, up through the changover to the Nucleus guys taking over the group (they also made some excellent albums as Soft Machine).  It was a decade ago I read it, so many of the book's details have faded from my memory, though I still know their original albums inside out from them being a meaningful part of my life for 50+ years.

 

[GA Russell]

1 hour ago, felser said:

https://www.amazon.com/Soft-Machine-Out-Bloody-Rageous-Revised-Updated-ebook/dp/B00P0USPG6

Very good though exhaustive (586 pages). First kindle book I ever bought, $6 instead of $100+ for a hard copy.  I read most of it, up through the changover to the Nucleus guys taking over the group (they also made some excellent albums as Soft Machine).  It was a decade ago I read it, so many of the book's details have faded from my memory, though I still know their original albums inside out from them being a meaningful part of my life for 50+ years.

 

Thanks, John!  On your recommendation, I've just ordered it.