British Composer who was classically trained, but decided to appeal to a wider audience. At one point he taught composition at the London Morley College.
In 1958-1960 he had the opportunity to be Karlheinz Stockhausens assistant.
He was a member of AMM free improvisation group.
One of the most important figures in the British post-war avant-garde.
From 1966-1971 he taught at Morley College.
In 1968 founded, with Howard Skempton and Micheal Parsons, the Scratch Orchestra.
The group used ground breaking methods, some of the musicians played carefully prepared classical compositions, while other musicians were free to play whatever they chose to play. Sometimes referred to as collective improvisation.
He also formed along with Gavin Bryars, the Portsmouth Sinfonia.