On February 5, 2025, Michael Roland Ratledge died aged 81. He was musician (keyboards, flute), member of the Daevid Allen Trio, but was best known as founding member of Soft Machine. Regarded as one of the most influential members of the Canterbury scene, he recorded with Daevid Allen Trio, Kevin Ayers, Daevid Allen, Syd Barrett, David Bedford, Wilde Flowers, Planet Earth, Rubber, Rollercoaster, Karl Jenkins.