a message from MoonJune Records
R.I.P. Michael Roland Ratledge (6 May, 1943 - 5 February, 2025), the founding member of Soft Machine. A musical hero of mine, an amazingly fascinating person, a true gentleman. One of his best and closest friends John Etheridge just called me to give me this utterly sad news. Mike passed away early this morning after a short illness. And I was thinking about my upcoming trip to London in a few weeks to meet my son who is visiting from NYC, and my planned meeting with John Etheridge, and the usual question I always ask John: "What's Rattlin' with Mike?, can we meet for a coffee or tea and chat somewhere in Soho?"
Our heroes are leaving this earthly dimension one after another, that's life, and while no one lives forever, it's always very sad to hear of the death of your friends or your heroes, or someone you are admiring. Mike Ratledge was my favorite keyboard player by far, the man who left the live music business almost 5 decades ago, leaving an eternal legacy of a true legend. One of my favorite musicians of all time. And I was really looking forward to seeing him again. The world is a sad and weird place right now, and this adds to the general sadness, and I was curious to know by the man himself, what Mike would think about what is going on in the world. He was one of the most knowledgeable, wise and read people I have ever met. Another Soft Machinist who is gone forever, but Mike and his Soft Pals Hugh Hopper, Elton Dean, John Marshall, Daevid Allen, Kevin Ayers, Allan Holdsworth will never be forgotten.
Leonardo Pavkovic
MoonJune Records
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