Mike Ratledge, keyboardist and founding member of the English rock band Soft Machine, has died. He was 81. Soft Machine’s guitarist John Etheridge confirmed his former bandmate’s death in a Facebook post Wednesday, Feb. 5, Louder reported.

Mike Ratledge, keyboardist and founding member of the English rock band Soft Machine, has died at the age of 81. The musician’s death was confirmed by former bandmate and current Soft Machine guitarist John Etheridge in a Facebook post, according to Louder.

Mike Ratledge, a founding member of Soft Machine, has died. He was 81. Ratledge reportedly died following a short illness.

Pitchfork reports Rilo Kiley will celebrate the reunion by reissuing its 2002 album, “The Execution of All Things” as a special “Frozen Lake Edition” on April 25.