I tip my Trilby to Rick Wakeman. I have immense admiration for Rick Wakeman not only as keyboard (piano and organ) virtuoso but also as a well-rounded (abdominal pun intended) human being.
My inroads to Rick Wakeman’s vast music accomplishments, like every one else, was via Yes’ “Fragile” album (1971). I was then in Secondary One. Then at 13 years of sage, my cerebral faculty was too underdeveloped to grasp the complex prog depths accorded to one such as me by Yes. But I certainly knew of the album. I said to myself, it’s best left till later in Life.
Instead in 1971, my pocket money was saved and spent on John Lennon’s “Imagine”, Paul McCartney’s “Ram” , Rollig Stones’ “Sticky Fingers” vinyl albums.
I kept that promise to myself. Decades later, as I grew older and introspective, I started acquiring the Yes catalogue and Rick Wakeman’s iconic albums.
Yes is a supergroup where the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts. Chris Squire – bassist extraordinaire, Steve Howe – guitarist superstar, Jon Anderson, voice like an angel.
Akin to George Harrison, when Rick went solo after Yes, he came out with three chart-topping albums. “The Six Wives of Henry VIII” (1973), “Journey To The Centre Of The Earth” (1974) and “The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Tale“ (1975). George Harrison had hat-trick album monsters with his simultaneous releases – “All Thing Must Pass”, “Concert For Bangla Desh” and “Living In The Material World”.
Speaking of George Harrison whilst typing this Blog, his phenomenal “Living In The Material World” 50th Anniversary CD set arrived in the mail (above image). A sign. “Once Upon A Time” indeed!
My Rick Wakeman and Yes CD Collection (above image). My other Yes CDs are in storage. Wakeman’s King Arthur CD is somewhere in my home.
This Blog is more on Rick Wakeman as a well-rounded human being (admittedly a tad podgy), living full glorious life. than on his prowess and fame as a prog rock god-like keyboard virtuoso. I’d love to hang out in an English bar with Rick.
I admire Rick Wakeman’s acute sense of humour, not many people know he is a bona-fide stand-up comedian. Watch his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acceptance speech. He is readily self-deprecating, a sure sign of humility.
Wakeman is also an amusing and entertaining host on various TV documenttary programs.
I must admit when I first saw him in Yes, in his flowing cape and blonde hair, I thought he was a show-off. Then I read his cape was there to cover his awkward leg movements while playing the piano/organ.
Wakeman is married four times and has six children. He played piano in David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” and Cats Steven’s “Morning Has Broken” hit songs. He also worked a sought-after studio sessionist with the likes of Elton John, Marc Bolan and Lou Reed and many many others. His first band was the Strawbs (as in Strawberries) before joining Yes. Wakeman remains till today, an on-off crucial member of Yes.
In 2017, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Yes. Better late than Never, I say. He was awarded a CBE for his services to music and broadcasting in 2021.
Wakeman certainly has lived the excessive rock and roll lifestyle. In his twenties, Rick suffered three hearts attacks due to excessive smoking and drinking. In 1985, Rick’s drinking led to cirrhosis of the liver and alcoholic hepatitis. In 1998, Wakeman collapsed on a golf course suffering from double pneumonia, Pleurisy, Legionnaire’s disease. Wakeman also suffers from type-2 diabetes. At one stage, he was given 24 hours to live.
In an indirect way, Wakeman taught us mere mortals how not to live.
My highly treasured Yes VIP concert pass (above image).
Honoured to have met graphic maestro Roger Dean, the designer of the iconic Yes albums (above image).
I end this tribute blog by sharing my favourite Rick Wakeman stand-up joke – “I lost the bar trivia contest last night by one point. The last question was “Where do women have the curliest hair?” Apparently the answer is Fiji.”
