On 25th May, 1973, Virgin Records launched their label by releasing Tubular Bells (V2001) on an unsuspecting world and were greeted by unprecedented acclaim. Much of the press likened it to the classical output of Sibelius or Debussy. The concept of bringing Tubular Bells to a live audience in London was based on the critical praise rather than Mike Oldfield’s nervous disposition which led him to flee for the hills of Herefordshire shortly after. On the stage of London’s prestigious Queen Elizabeth Hall, London on June 25th, Tubular Bells became a living, breathing masterpiece, a valuable extension of its studio conceived self, and a phenomenon that has turned heads, bent ears and changed the course of music since its conception in 1973. QuickSilver revisits a truly groundbreaking performance with a fully restored and professionally remastered British radio broadcast. Presented with background notes and timeline photos.
1. Tubular Bells, Part One
2. Tubular Bells, Part Two