Rick Wakeman

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London, United Kingdom (18 May 1949 – present)

Richard Christopher Wakeman (born 18 May 1949 in Perivale, London) is an English keyboard player best known as the keyboardist for progressive rock group Yes. Originally a classically trained pianist, he was a pioneer in the use of electronic keyboards and in the use of a rock band in combination with orchestra and choir. He purchased his first electronic keyboard, a Minimoog, from the actor Jack Wild. Wakeman was able to buy it for half the regular selling price because Wild thought it did not work as it only played one note at a time. He hosts a regular radio show on Planet Rock.

Wakeman attended Drayton Manor Grammar School. He initially studied piano, clarinet, orchestration and modern music at the Royal College of Music, but he left of his own accord after a year and a half in favour of work as a session musician.

In 1970, Wakeman played with Strawbs and was an active studio musician, playing with such artists as David Bowie, Cat Stevens and Al Stewart, notably playing piano on both Bowie’s Life on Mars? and Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens He joined Yes in 1971, after keyboardist Tony Kaye was asked to leave the band because of his refusal to play anything more than the organ. His first album with the band was Fragile released 1971 in the UK and 1972 in the US, and very nearly his last was Tales from Topographic Oceans, released in 1973. He also played on the studio album Close to the Edge (his favourite Yes album) and his live performances with the group were released as Yessongs. He left the band following the Tales from Topographic Oceans tour.
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  • SpiritOfYetaxa

    Such a talented man that he's been active in music since the day he was born

    Saturday morning

  • tuo_

    Rick played in Black Sabbath's Sabbath Bloody Sabbath -album and it sounds great indeed. Nowdays his son Adam plays in Sabbath's background band.

    last week

  • lter__Impius

    I never really got into Yes but I'm enjoying "Journey to the Centre of the Earth", "The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table" and "Return to the Centre of the Earth". Hooray!

    15 days ago

  • valleg57

    Excelente musica

    16 days ago

  • ProgShine

    http://progshine.com/2012/05/05/rick-wakeman-ganha-biografia-chamada-caped-crusader/

    24 days ago

  • Charles_Heres

    Lisztomania.

    last month

  • Muldwych

    And Ozzy performed on one of Rick's albums, namely 'Return To The Centre Of The Earth'. They've been friends for years.

    last month

  • Ilan_Negao

    Sure. Ozzy said Rick was Yes's only member who wasn't completely nut. And a very cool guy.

    last month
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Rick appears on this Thursday's Incredible Women on Radio 4

29 May 2012 | from www.rwcc.com

Rick is appearing on this week's Incredible Women show discussing the 60s rock photographer Paddy Jones

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