Rick Wakeman

Biography

Rick Wakeman's work on the classic albums of the progressive rock band 'Yes' and during his time with the band they recorded several of the most famous albums of the progressive rock genre, including "Fragile", "Close to the Edge" and "Tales from Topographic Oceans".

Wakeman also recorded some hugely successful solo albums during the 1970s, principally "The Six Wives of Henry VIII", "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" and "The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table".

In the late 1970s, Wakeman and progressive rock in general fell out of favour with the arrival of punk rock.

Nevertheless, he was able to continue with work as a musician and continued to record his own albums, although they were not as commercially successful.

In his later life he has become just as well known as a radio and television broadcaster.

No detailed information about his background, personal life, education, professional experience, or accomplishments has been provided or confirmed. This section serves as a general placeholder until more accurate and verified details can be collected and published.

There are many reasons why a biography might be missing or incomplete. In some cases, individuals are listed or mentioned before a profile has been written. In others, a person may wish to maintain privacy, or their contributions may not yet be fully documented. The absence of a biography does not imply a lack of importance or relevance. Every individual has a unique story, and this section acknowledges that Rick Wakeman is part of a broader context—even if the details are not yet available.

As more information becomes accessible through official records, publications, or direct input, this biography will be updated to reflect who Rick Wakeman is and what he brings to his field or role. The intention is to provide an accurate, respectful, and informative profile when the time is right.

Until then, this entry will remain simple and general. It avoids speculation and assumptions, and instead leaves space open for a future version that can properly represent Rick Wakeman's journey, achievements, and contributions. We look forward to adding more when the opportunity allows.

For now, Rick Wakeman is acknowledged here without further detail, with the understanding that every person’s story is valuable—even if it hasn’t yet been told.

Country: United Kingdom
Gender: Male
Education: Royal College of Music·Drayton Manor High School
Place of birth: Perivale
Birth date: 18 May 1949
Member of: Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe·Strawbs·Warhorse ·Yes
Nationality: British

He has three sons from his first marriage (to Roz): Oliver Wakeman , Adam Wakeman , and Benjamin, and a stepdaughter, Amanda.
He and Nina have a daughter, Jemma Wakeman , and a son, Oscar.
In his appearance on This Is Your Life, his early life was summed up by the host saying "Youd had three heart attacks, two marriages and lost 10 million by your early thirties... but then things got better".
He has lived in Middlesex, London, Buckinghamshire, Devon, Switzerland, Scotland, Surrey, Hertfordshire and on the Isle of Man. He has lived in Norfolk since 2005, with Rachel Kaufman.
He attended the Royal College of Music and is a classically trained pianist as well as being regarded as one of the most influential progressive rock keyboardists for his work with the band Yes and his own solo career. Despite the fact they were often accused of being Genesis clones, Marillion keyboardist Mark Kelly has always said that Wakeman was actually his biggest inspiration.
(March 2003) Yes 1973 album "Tales from Topographic Oceans" came seventh in Classic Rock Magazines list of the 30 greatest concept albums of all time. Wakemans 1974 solo album "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" came 25th on the list.
Before joining yes, he played in the folk rock group the Strawbs.
He began learning to play the piano at the age of four.
He is the only non-vegetarian member of Yes.
He is a member and promoter of the British Conservative Party. He played at a concert at Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire in aid of the Conservative Party on Saturday 25th September 2004.

[speaking about his keyboard playing] I avoid preset sounds wherever,possible, and all the sounds I use I have edited.
People like Frank Zappa were amazing for us Brits.

Movies

Rick Wakeman - Symphony for the Spectrum
2016
When Pop Ruled My Life: The Fans' Story
2015
Music journalist Kate Mossman recalls her adolescent obsession with rock band Queen and her crush on their drummer Roger Taylor.
David Bowie: Five Years
2013
A documentary covering five of the most important years of the influential rock star David Bowie's career..
Jon Lord: It's All Music
2013
Keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman pays tribute to his friend, Deep Purple's Jon Lord, the man who put the rock into the Hammond organ.
Rick Wakeman: The Six Wives of Henry VIII - Live at Hampton Court Palace 2009
2009
The Six Wives of Henry VIII: Live at Hampton Court Palace is a live album from the English keyboardist and composer Rick Wakeman, released through Eagle Records on 5 October 2009.
Grumpy Old Picture Show
2008
Yes: Live at Montreux 2003
2007
In 2003, the band made their first appearance at the Montreux Festival, despite having a long association with the town itself (they recorded there frequently in the 70s).
Amazing Grace
2007
The Other Side of Rick Wakeman
2007
This DVD features Rick Wakeman in an up-close and uproarious stand-up performance filmed live in front of a studio audience.
Rick Wakeman: Made in Cuba
2006
Jon Anderson: Tour of the Universe
2005
Songs from Tsongas: Yes 35th Anniversary Concert
2005
Yes live at Tsongas Arena, Lowell, MA, May 15, 2004..
Yes Acoustic
2004
Yes perform an acoustic set live at a studio in Los Angeles on January 26, 2004.
Out There
2004
Get ready to be visually and aurally mesmerized by what amounts to a 21st-century interpretation of the progressive rock album "Out There" by Rick Wakeman & the New English Rock Ensemble.
Yesspeak
2003
This film documents the 35th Anniversary European tour of the progressive rock band Yes, including interviews and music, both off and on stage..
God Save the Queen: the Soundtrack to the Summer of '77
2002
Rick Wakeman: Live in Buenos Aires
2001
Roger Dean: Views
2001
Rick Wakeman: The Legend Live in Concert 2000
2000
Simply Acoustic
1996
Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe: An Evening of Yes Music Plus
1994
One of the most convoluted chapters in the history of progressive rock titans Yes -- and there are many -- is Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe.
Yes: Greatest Video Hits
1991
Yes: Greatest Video Hits.
Yesshows '91: Union Tour Live
1991
Eight members of Yes play an amazing live concert during their 1991 Union Tour.
Rick Wakeman: The Classical Connection
1991
A live concert by Rick Wakeman on piano and David Paton on acoustic guitar..
Rick Wakeman: Live
1990
In the Big Dream
1989
A look into the band formed by the four members of progressive rock group Yes..
Yes: Live in Philadelphia 1979
1979
Yes: Live In Philadelphia 1979.
Sounding Out: Yes
1972

TV

Body and Soul
2004
Geoff Druett hosts a series considering the differing religious beliefs of the people of the UK's Yorkshire region.
Grumpy Old Men
2003
Live at Jongleurs
1997
GasTank
1982

Books

Tribute to the Lord of the Rings
Rick Cdcoll 8472 Wakeman
The Mixture
Rick Cdusd 360 Wakeman
Further Adventures of a Grumpy Old Rock Star
Rick Wakeman
What do postman pat, tommy cooper, norman wisdom, and george best have in common with being abandoned in a costa rican jungle after a severe bout of flatulence?
Further Adventures of a Grumpy Old Rock Star
Rick Wakeman
What do postman pat, tommy cooper, norman wisdom and george best have in common with being abandoned in a costa rican jungle after a severe bout of flatulence?
And other wondrous stories
Rick Wakeman
Around about august 1948, mr and mrs cyril wakeman had an early night and some time later, at perivale in middlesex, mrs wakeman produced a bonny baby son.
Grumpy Old Rock Star
Rick Wakeman
Around about august 1948, mr and mrs cyril wakeman had an early night and some time later, at perivale in middlesex, mrs wakeman produced a bonny baby son.
Grumpy Old Rock Star And Other Wondrous Stories
Rick Wakeman
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Hopesongs
Rick Wakeman
Say Yes
Rick Wakeman
Say yes!
Rick Wakeman
Say Yes
Rick Wakeman
Say yes!
Rick Wakeman