Turning back the clock with Mike Oldfield

Join yours truly and Mike Oldfield for the first in our turning back the clock series, where we take a trip down memory lane with a colourful character from Virgin's past and present.

It was delightful travelling to the Bahamas to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Tubular Bells with Mike Oldfield. After a special version of Tubular Bells at his kids' school we went back to his home and over a bottle of wine, or two, or three, reminisced about the past.

Mike reminded me how he became the first artist on our new record label and I pondered whether, without Tubular Bells, would Virgin Galactic be taking people up into space this year? It was a real Sliding Doors moment -- if he hadn't left his demo tape with us and we hadn't listened to it, how different our paths might have been.

We also spoke about how Mike went into his shell after he made Tubular Bells, what it was like performing at the London 2012 Opening Ceremony, and how we have both changed over the years (for the better I hope!) Watch it all in the video above.

As you can see at the end of the film, one thing that hasn't changed is Mike is still making breath-taking music. His new record, Man On The Rocks, is released today. I heartily recommend you take a listen.

[chelfyn]

I had a very lonely time as a teeneger. I didn't connect with anyone at school, and I was an only child. Mike Oldfields music was, in many ways, my best friend for about 5 years.

[angelomisterioso]

Glad to see Mike is still alive. Years ago, I saw a documentary and he was smoking like a chimney.

[fflat]

Mike is the most under rated guitarist. He is a genius and his execution is just outstanding. He deserves much more credit for his playing.

[alexugljesic]

Just stumbled on this 10 year old video. Well, I am living with Tubular Bells and rest of Mike's music for last more than 40 years. Actually it is 45 years since I've heard TB for the 1st time. And, I intend to keep listening to MO music for the rest of my life...and I am 62 now, and still love MO music...

[josemanon]

I can't understand life, even world, without Oldfield music...

[KRAZEEIZATION]

A musical genius and brilliant guitarist with totally original tone.

[bi-lqvist]

I'm Swedish. These gentlemen have a relationship that is completely natural and in a humorous way. It is surely an important part of the instrumental revolution that was created in 1973. Such a lovely thing!

[SERGUMUM]

Mike Oldfield’s Music has been part of my life and of the person I have become.

[rollonsummertime]

Ommadawn at the end is just awesome, , , for me his finest

[totalrage]

THANK Mike Oldfield has played such a part in my life <3 can't thank you enough for pulling him out.

[SteveRes]

Marvellous Mike Oldfield, a true genius.

[Hammsterofficial]

It's nice to see Branson and Oldfield are talking to each other again.

[gameforthegame]

Music genius at 19years old much respect Mike.

[mehcol]

remember seeing Gong and Hatfield and the North with a film of Tubular Bells at Newcastle City Hall in 73 for 49p - I was a kid of 13. Loved me Gong and Bells.

[djwarren]

I was eighteen back then and thought it was amazing. Still play it.

[AliG-fdho]

Whatever you think of Richard Branson, it's lovely to see lifelong friends reminisce together with great affection

[linoeric]

Bonjour Oui Mike est un génie car sa musique nous touche au plus profond de notre âme et donne de la magie à notre cœur 💙❤️💛🎹🎸🎼🎶👋💪👍

[garylove]

get that… most of my chums dismissed this as old hippy rubbish and latched on to any fad that came around. As a player I still hear little bits I missed. Genius .

[karhukivi]

Not a well known fact, but the CD versions (not in MP3) of Tubular Bells also contain the call sign of a powerful (500KW)military transmitter near Rugby callsign GBR about 36 miles to the north of Manor studio. Using a spectrum analyser one can see the Morse signals "V-V-V-V-GBR-GBR-GBR - etc" The "Vs" are a wakeup call to the operators before a message is transmitted. . These signals "broke through" into the recording but were not noticed by the sound engineers at the Manor as the frequency is too high, at16 kHz. The transmitter which worked in the very low frequency (VLF) band was opened in 1926 for communication with the British colonies, then later for Navy submarines as the signals could penetrate seawater. It had a range of about 5000 km and was demolished to make way for housing in 2004. Some of the transmitting equipment is now in the MI5 museum near Nantwich.

[watson]

Incredible Mike Oldfield, Tubular Bells and Ommadawn were my favourite albums growing up in NZ.
In the mid 70's I had my huge sound system in my bedroom, I'd have these cranked when my parents weren't around, weekends.
65 now; seems like yesterday, still sends shivers up my spine!👍👍🇳🇿🇨🇦