MIKE OLDFIELD - OLDFIELD 'SHOCKED' TUBULAR BELLS WAS A HIT

OLDFIELD 'SHOCKED' TUBULAR BELLS WAS A HIT

MIKE OLDFIELD was shocked when his seminal album TUBULAR BELLS was a hit - because it was turned down by the majority of record labels.
The composer insists he's still surprised the 1983 work was so popular, but credits Virgin label boss Sir Richard Branson for recognising his talent.
He says, "(I'm surprised) Tubular Bells (was) a hit. People thought it was a ludicrous idea, an album without vocals or drums. I became despondent; no record labels would take it on. Then I got the call from Richard Branson and it became a worldwide smash.
"It's the all-time number one in the instrumental album chart."