Roger Bolton at Real World Studios May, 2026
Photo by York Tillyer.
So sad to learn of Roger Bolton’s death. He was a remarkable man in many ways.
Kind and generous are the first words that come to mind, Roger was always as enthusiastic about helping others as he was with his own work. He had great pride in his recordings with former child soldiers in Uganda that had given them hope and a new life. He was also a gifted and much loved teacher.
I met him over forty years ago when my cousin Stephen employed him as a young demonstrator for the revolutionary Fairlight sampling synthesizers that had just been invented in our Syco Systems business. It was obvious then that he was enormously talented both creatively and technically.
Despite all his achievements as a film and television composer he was always ready to find the time to help us with any Fairlight technical issues we might have.
He would have his passions and follow them far – when he became interested in ancient standing stones and druidism, he moved everything to buy a house within the stone circle at Avebury.
In recent times, he dealt with his illness and suffering with extraordinary grace but with his wicked sense of humour firing on all cylinders.
We all have a wonderful collection of his compositions with which to remember him, but no longer accompanied by his warm and gentle soul and that mischievous Bolton sparkle.
Thank you, Roger
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Roger Bolton at Real World Studios May, 2026
Photo by York Tillyer.