Chapter 01 — Today in music
On a day like today May 15
1948
Brian Eno is born, the non-musician who changed how everything sounds
On May 15, 1948, Brian Eno was born in England — Roxy Music's synthesist, self-declared inventor of ambient music and producer of landmark albums by Bowie, Talking Heads and U2. He calls himself a non-musician, yet few people have shaped the sound of the last five decades more. His idea of the studio as an instrument is now the standard for all recorded music.
Brian Eno
1953
Mike Oldfield is born, the teenager who recorded a sonic cathedral alone
On May 15, 1953, Mike Oldfield was born in Reading — the multi-instrumentalist who at 19 recorded 'Tubular Bells' virtually alone, playing more than twenty instruments. That work founded Virgin Records and proved instrumental rock could be a mass phenomenon. A chronic introvert and perfectionist, he built an entire career against the current of fashion.
Mike Oldfield
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