Reading People - Mike Oldfield

Mike Oldfield

The musician Mike Oldfield was born in the Battle Hospital on May 15, 1953 and attended several local schools including St. Joseph's School, Highlands Junior School, and St. Edward's. 

He had a somewhat troubled childhood - his brother David was born with Down's Syndrome and died in infancy, as a result his mother, a nurse originating from Ireland, shuffered mental health issues. He was an introvert who did not fit in well at the local schools he attended, making music an escape for him and also portending his very singular approach to music making that was unusual for a time dominated by bands.

Oldfield's musical journey began at home at 35 Western Elms Avenue in Tilehurst, where his father, a doctor who gave him Bob Dylan records and would sometimes play the few cords he had learnt in the army in Egypt. It was his sister Sally's boyfriend who initially taught Mike to play the guitar. He quickly became a multi instrumentalist as he tinkled on the white baby grand that sat in the family living room.

By the age of 12, Oldfield was already performing at folk and social clubs around Reading. When he was thirteen the family moved to Essex where earned a single O level and left school at fifteen after the headmaster insisted that he cut his hair.

You can pick up the story in the video below.