Mike Oldfield (born 15 May 1953 in Reading, England) is a British multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer who rose to international fame with his 1973 debut album Tubular Bells - a 49-minute instrumental piece he recorded almost entirely alone, playing close to 30 different instruments. The album became the first release on Richard Branson's Virgin Records and sold an estimated 15 million copies worldwide, partly driven by its use as the theme for the 1973 horror film The Exorcist. Across a career spanning more than four decades, Oldfield released 25 studio albums blending progressive rock, folk, classical, electronic and ambient music, and has since announced his retirement from active performance.
The Best of Tubular Bells I, II & III tour is scheduled across Europe and the UK in September-October 2026, led by Oldfield's long-term collaborator Robin Smith.
The Best of Tubular Bells I, II & III completed a 26-date UK tour in February-March 2026, following the successful 50th anniversary touring cycle.
A 50th anniversary vinyl reissue of Hergest Ridge (2LP + Blu-ray) was released in 2025, arriving slightly late to the album's anniversary.
A half-speed master vinyl 2LP reissue of Amarok was announced for release on 31 October 2025.
The Tubular Bells 50th Anniversary European Tour played dates across the UK in October 2024, with a European leg following in March-April 2025; Oldfield himself was not involved, having retired from live performance.
